Drenched in sunshine, the Bay of Plenty well and truly lives up to its name. It stretches from the gorgeous Waihi Beach in the west, to the small town of Opotiki to the east. Along the way are a string of holiday hotspots, with favourites including Tauranga, Whakatane and Mt Maunganui.

The region boasts New Zealand's only active marine volcano, as well as some of the best beaches in the country. For fruit lovers, biting into a juicy Bay of Plenty kiwifruit or creamy avocado is a rite of passage. Surfers share waves with playful dolphins, with plenty of local wine, organic produce and freshly caught seafood to keep foodies happy.

By far, the best way to explore the stunning Bay of Plenty region is by car or campervan. For those with a little more time on their hands, driving the Great New Zealand Touring Route is a must. Rotorua is the closest airport, located just a one-hour drive to the south. Buses also make the trip in just over two hours.

Needless to say, there’s no shortage of comments regarding the bay’s somewhat unusual name. Interestingly, it has Captain James Cook to thank for its evocative title. When he sailed into the bay in 1769, he marvelled at the abundance of plantations and villages that peppered the shoreline. He poetically described it as a “bay of plenty,” a name that has stuck to this day.