Accessible activities
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.
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.
The Minden Lookout
Reopened in 2026 after undergoing renovations the Minden Lookout is the perfect place to enjoy sweeping views across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Matakana Island and the Western Bay of Plenty.
Just a short drive from Te Puna, located at the corner of Minden and Junction Rds, the lookout sits 286m above sea level, complete with carparking and picnic tables. The new viewing platform is accessible via a ramp from the carpark.
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
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
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!