Shared Tour – A Half Day In The Bay

We will head out along the expressway to the main Kiwifruit growing area of Te Puke/Paengaroa. Known as Kiwifruit country. It is here that you will board the unique Kiwi Karts for a short-narrated tour through the orchard as we learn all about the history of New Zealand’s icon fruit that has now grown to a multi-billion dollar industry.

Here you will have the opportunity to taste many kiwifruit products and try fresh fruit. After tasting the lovely kiwifruits it is now time to move on where some Manuka Honey is made by a local producer.

Our next stop will be Maketu- this small seaside settlement holds special significance to both the Maori and European settlers.

Maketū is one of the most historic coastal landmarks in the Bay of Plenty. This small settlement is the landing place of the original Waka canoe of the Te Arawa tribe when they migrated from Polynesia over 800 years ago.

It is from this town you will be able to see the formidable Mount Maunganui in the distance as well as the offshore island of Motiti- the site for the environmental disaster in 2011. The oil spill has been described as New Zealand’s worst maritime disaster.

You will now enjoy a lovely Fish and Chip lunch at a seaside cafe, take in the views from the beautiful coastline as you tuck into your delicious lunch (that is included within the price of the tour!) On your way back, you will stop at an avocado orchard to learn more about the industry and its importance to the region.

Travel through coastal dairy farmland and along the coastline, home to many species of birdlife then to the residential area of Papamoa. Here you will see how the locals live in New Zealand’s fastest growing region.

With your tour now coming to an end we will head back to the cruise port in plenty of time for your ship’s departure.