Our full day Day in the Bay tour will let you experience what makes the Bay of Plenty tick and why its one of New Zealands most popular and fastest growing regions. -Admire the harbour and beaches of Mount Maunganui that draw so many tourists to the Bay as we drive by million-dollar beachfront homes, taking time at the memorial cenotaph to explain the significance of ANZAC day. - For history buffs we travel past the old Monmouth Fort and the Elms Mission Station - one of New Zealands most important historic buildings. Learn about the New Zealand Wars and the Battle of Gate Pa - fought between the British forces and local Maori right here in Tauranga in the 1860s.- We visit a local honey shop where you can taste honey (including the incredible Manuka variety), see the bees in action and do some shopping for souvenirs before heading out past kiwifruit and avocado orchards and alongside the beautiful Wairoa River to a panoramic viewpoint. - The highlight for many is our FREE Fish and Chips lunch on the fishing wharf. You also have spare time here to explore the Tauranga waterfront and perhaps check out the Hairy Maclary statue. - After lunch we head out to the main kiwifruit growing area of Te Puke to Kiwifruit Country for a short tour of the orchards on their Kiwi Karts. Youll have time to taste many of their kiwifruit products, buy an ice-cream or other refreshments and browse their small gift shop. - Next is the small oceanside settlement of Maketu, a place of special historical significance to both the Maori and European settlers. Here the waka (canoe) of the Te Arawa tribe landed here from Polynesia over 800 years ago. Around 200 years ago traders from Europe also arrived to set up business in the district, the start of Tauranga. - Leaving Maketu we then travel through the residential area of Papamoa, to see the new developments which are making this region New Zealands fastest growing. It is then back along the beachfront to the cruise ship.
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