Mayor Island

Tuhua (Mayor Island) is a dormant shield volcano with a large caldera. It emerged from the sea about 7000 years ago and has several hot springs. Opuahau, the highest peak, reaches 354 metres and the volcanic crater contains two lakes, both near sea level. Lake Aroarotamahine is green and Lake Te Paritu almost black.

A wildlife refuge since 1953, the island is home to many native birds - nectar-feeding bellbirds and tui, wood pigeons, morepork, fantail, kaka (brown parrot), grey warbler, waxeye, kingfisher and, soaring on the thermals, the harrier hawk. Well marked walking tracks lead to the lakes and through the impressively tall forest.

Tuhua is considered special by Maori because its geological make up includes black obsidian, a volcanic glass created by the rapid cooling of silica-rich lava. Obsidian was prized as a cutting tool. Pieces of this natural black glass can often be found on Bay of Plenty beaches.

There's a marine reserve off the northern end of the island - a popular diving spot with amazingly clear water. Beyond the reserve, the waters around Tuhua are prized by game fishermen - marlin, mako and swordfish are regularly caught here.

Several charter companies run trips to the island - enquire in Tauranga or Whangamata.

Kaiate Falls

Also known as Te Rerekawau Falls, Kaiate Falls are the highlight of a forest reserve near Tauranga. You can walk to a ravine where the Kaiate Stream drops over ignimbrite bluffs in a series of nine beautiful cascades.

Tracks are well-formed throughout the reserve. The main track leads to the top of the waterfall, and then to the base of the upper series of cascades. From there it crosses the stream and continues down to the base of the lower falls, where there is a swimming hole. You'll see large puriri and kohekohe trees along the way.

Above the carpark is a picnic area where you can enjoy good views of Mount Maunganui and the Port of Tauranga.

White Island - active volcano

White Island is the summit of two overlapping stratovolcanoes and one of New Zealand's most active volcanic sites. It has had around 35 small to moderate eruptions since 1826. The Maori name for the island is 'Te Puia o Whakaari', which means 'the dramatic volcano'.

The island is roughly circular, about two kilometres in diameter and rises to a height of 321 metres above sea level. However, what you're seeing is only the peak of a much larger submarine mountain - the main vent is below sea level but shielded from the ocean by high crater walls.

Scientists and vulcanologists from around the world find White Island fascinating. On an eruption scale of one to five, the island is usually on an alert level of one or two. In March 2000, three small vents appeared in the main crater and began belching ash which covered the island in fine grey powder. An eruption later that year blanketed the island with mud and scoria and a new crater appeared. At most times the volcanic activity is limited to steaming fumaroles and boiling mud.

Althought it's privately owned, White Island is a scenic reserve that can be visited by launch or helicopter. From Whakatane and Tauranga you can arrange a walking tour of the island, which leads right into the huge main crater. Hard hats and gas masks are provided for the walking tour - it's an extraordinary experience.

A surprising sight is the remains of a sulphur mining operation. Several attempts were made to mine sulphur on the island, but mining came to a sudden halt in September 1914, when a mudslide killed all the workers. They disappeared without trace; only the camp cat (named Peter the Great) survived.

There's virtually no vegetation on the island (a large pohutukawa forest was destroyed by eruptions during the early 1980s), instead yellow and white sulphur crystals grow around the edges of hissing, steaming fumaroles. It's possible to walk right inside the main crater, which has a spectacular lake and many steamy vents. Donald Duck and Noisy Nellie are two other craters that will demand the attention of your camera.