Bay of Plenty Landscape Photography
The Bay of Plenty, with Tauranga as its urban hub, is surrounded by beautiful photographic locations and amazing white sand beaches that stretch on for kilometres . Living in Tauranga, I have the privilege of photographing this region throughout every season, chasing the light from Mauao's summit at dawn and Mount Maunganui Beach at dusk, to the last glow fading over McClarens Fall Park. The beaches, regional parks and waterfalls provide a rich tapestry of photographic opportunities not to be missed.
Visit my Online Print Store or contact me to make purchasing inquiries. All prices are In NZ dollars
Some Detail about Bay of Plenty Landscape Photography
The Bay of Plenty is my home. I feel blessed to live here and have easy access to such beautiful nature locations for landscape photography.
The Bay of Plenty stretches along the north-east coast of the North Island, and from a photographer's perspective it is endlessly generous. Mount Maunganui - Mauao - is the region's most recognisable landmark and one of New Zealand's finest sunrise locations. The climb to the summit takes around 40 minutes and rewards with sweeping views across the bay, with the early morning light painting the ocean in shades of gold and pink. it's worth the climb and the track is well maintained and accessed from the Mount Maunganui Beach (however, be aware that as of July 2026 the Mauao summit and base tracks are closed pending repair of storm damage). And don't forget sunset from the eastern end of The Mount Beach - it's a treat, especially when the sun is setting behind Mauao.
Papamoa Beach extends east from the Mount and offers kilometres of open shoreline from which to photograph both sunrise and the distant silhouette of Mauao. Inland from the coast, the Bay of Plenty holds some excellent waterfall locations. Kaiate Falls in Welcome Bay is an accessible and picturesque multi-drop waterfall surrounded by lush native bush, ideal for slow shutter work. Omanawa Falls reserve has been newly developed offering a pristine waterfall and pool amongst dense surrounding bush, and McLaren Falls Park, a short drive from Tauranga, offers beautiful light through the trees in the cooler months when autumn colour adds warmth to the landscape. The Kaimai Ranges provide elevated perspectives across the region and make for spectacular sunset photography when conditions are favourable. and locations around the Tauranga Harbour such as the views over Pilot Bay at sunset can provide stunning photographic rewards.
Tauranga is now one of New Zealand's largest cities and with such an abundance of outdoor recreation locations has become a premium destination for overseas travellers and Kiwi holiday-makers alike. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit my home town and to enjoy the New Zealand Landscape Photography gems that it has to offer.
The Bay of Plenty is my home. I feel blessed to live here and have easy access to such beautiful nature locations for landscape photography.
The Bay of Plenty stretches along the north-east coast of the North Island, and from a photographer's perspective it is endlessly generous. Mount Maunganui - Mauao - is the region's most recognisable landmark and one of New Zealand's finest sunrise locations. The climb to the summit takes around 40 minutes and rewards with sweeping views across the bay, with the early morning light painting the ocean in shades of gold and pink. it's worth the climb and the track is well maintained and accessed from the Mount Maunganui Beach (however, be aware that as of July 2026 the Mauao summit and base tracks are closed pending repair of storm damage). And don't forget sunset from the eastern end of The Mount Beach - it's a treat, especially when the sun is setting behind Mauao.
Papamoa Beach extends east from the Mount and offers kilometres of open shoreline from which to photograph both sunrise and the distant silhouette of Mauao. Inland from the coast, the Bay of Plenty holds some excellent waterfall locations. Kaiate Falls in Welcome Bay is an accessible and picturesque multi-drop waterfall surrounded by lush native bush, ideal for slow shutter work. Omanawa Falls reserve has been newly developed offering a pristine waterfall and pool amongst dense surrounding bush, and McLaren Falls Park, a short drive from Tauranga, offers beautiful light through the trees in the cooler months when autumn colour adds warmth to the landscape. The Kaimai Ranges provide elevated perspectives across the region and make for spectacular sunset photography when conditions are favourable. and locations around the Tauranga Harbour such as the views over Pilot Bay at sunset can provide stunning photographic rewards.
Tauranga is now one of New Zealand's largest cities and with such an abundance of outdoor recreation locations has become a premium destination for overseas travellers and Kiwi holiday-makers alike. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit my home town and to enjoy the New Zealand Landscape Photography gems that it has to offer.
Visit my Online Print Store or contact me to make purchasing inquiries. All prices are In NZ dollars