GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR TRIP TO THE BAY

 Te Moananui ā Toi | the Coastal Bay of Plenty, is a beautiful and exiting place for a holiday. Here's a list of activity ideas to help take some of the guesswork out of planning an accessible holiday.

 

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THINGS TO DO

Whether you’re into art, adventure, shopping or the ocean – there’s plenty of fun to be had in the Bay!

Please note: these providers are not accessibility experts but will do their best to accommodate you and your needs.

 

Adaptive surfing Parafed Bay of Plenty Hibiscus surf school

Adaptive Surfing

Parafed Bay of Plenty have teamed up with Hibiscus Surf School to run adaptive surfing events from October – March at Mount Maunganui Main Beach. They also offer “Friday Float” sessions which are focused on assisting people with disabilities in the ocean during different ocean-based activities. These programs are a great way to get participants comfortable in the ocean if they haven’t participated in an activity like it before. They are also available for private adaptive lessons year-round, just give them a call to let them know what your requirements are. To register for the Adaptive Surfing events, please contact John Sligo at Parafed BOP: john@parafedbop.co.nz

bayfair shopping centre 2 dine at bayfair entrance 2 15036229

Bayfair Shopping Centre

With over 130 stores and restaurants and a stunning new outdoor dining area, Bayfair is a must-visit destination on your trip to the Bay. In 2015 Bayfair was the first shopping centre to ever secure a Be.Welcome Platinum ranking and offers many accessible options including:

  • an accessible route with a minimum width of 1200mm
  • a sensory room, developed with guidance from Autism New Zealand, which gives visitors with sensory disorders or autism spectrum disorders a quiet place to go and relax
  • allocated mobility parking in all car parks including the first three levels of the car parking building, with wheelchair access ramps where required
  • mobility scooter charging: two free charging stations, found near the entry from the undercover car park building.

For more information, visit: https://www.bayfair.co.nz/centre-info/accessibility

Hoist Training at the Mount Hot Pools

Mount Hot Pools

The famous salt water hot pools at the base of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) are a must when you visit the Bay. The pools offer plenty of accessibility options, including a water wheelchair and winch to assist customers into and out of both the Passive and Active pools. They also have accessible front doors, three mobility dedicated shower/toilets (one in males, one in females and one in family rooms), and wheelchair height reception desk and drinking fountain. 

 

CE tauranga Art Gallery web

Tauranga Art Gallery

Check out some of the amazing exhibitions in this contemporary gallery!

The Gallery is wheelchair friendly, with large doorways, a lift to our second floor and accessible toilets on ground level.

The Cave virtual reality experience

The Cave

The Cave in Pāpāmoa is a virtual reality studio with a huge variety of games, content and experiences from deep sea exploration to virtual escape rooms!

While there are some VR games that do not suit wheelchair users (due to needing to move around whilst holding controllers) there are lots of other game/experience options and the friendly team will help make the experience magical. There is also a good accessible bathroom.

If you'd rather sit and watch the action, The Cave offers drinks and snacks and state of the art massage chairs!

Keep planning your accessible holiday! Read more about the Bay's beautiful outdoors.