The beaches at Mount Maunganui and Ocean Beach offer everything from good surf (with north to north-east swell) to broad expanses of golden sand designed, it seems, expressly for the purpose of barefoot strolling. There are also hot saltwater pools and a modern complex with a tepid lap pool, hot passive pool, aquajet spa pools and children's pool. Staying on land, the walking track at the base of the Mount is a famously beautiful three kilometres of superb scenery, from the inner harbour to the ocean and main beach.

The Mount itself is home to a variety of native birds, and the conical dormant volcano is of historical significance. The summit stands at 232 metres, offers magnificent views of surrounding beaches and the harbour, and is a two kilometre hike for anyone of reasonable fitness. It's well worth it.

So is a visit to Moturiki Island. Once the site of an aquarium, it has been deliberately returned to its wild state, offering the opportunity to use the walking track, fish from the rocks or have a picnic. Elsewhere, the Bay of Plenty's waters are renowned for world record game fishing catches, whale watching and visits from dolphins and pods of Orca. And, as we mentioned more than once, the region is home to some established and new restaurants, wineries and vineyards.