Tauranga - North Island, New Zealand

Mt Maunganui township is set on a narrow peninsula and has a vibrant waterfront with many city parks and gardens. It is referred to as the Mount, and is linked to the mainland by a narrow stretch of sand dunes. It is bustling with apartments, restaurants, shops and houses.

The Mount has the beautiful 20 km long golden strand of Ocean Beach renowned for swimming and surfing. This beach is jampacked with holidaying locals from Mid December to Easter.

Tauranga has a flat city centre stretching from the Tauranga Harbour to Waikareao Estuary. There are enough restaurants, cafes, shops and bars to make sure nobody gets bored or hungry. Downtown Tauranga is a nice spot with a beautiful waterfront to stroll along and there are a couple of interesting things to see.

On the corner of Dive Crescent and Mclean St, there is an ornately carved war canoe, the Te Awanui, used on ceremonial occasions on the Tauranga Harbour. Close to Cliff St is the Robbins Park, a green park with a beautiful rose garden and a begonia enclosure, with fine views of Mt Maunganui. Begonias are plants with succulent leaves and waxy flowers.

At the northern end of town, the Elms Mission House is located on Mission St. It was built from kauri wood in the 1830s by an early missionary, and it is preserved intact in its original form. The gardens of the Mission House are pretty and a good spot for a picnic. In 1864, Tauranga witnessed the Battle of Gate Pa, one of the most engaging battles of the New Zealand Wars.

Tauranga Activities

Tauranga is the gateway to enjoy all the water activities that western Bay of Plenty has to offer. There are heaps of commercial operators to take you on fishing, sailing, parasailing and cruising trips, and on the more popular activity of swimming with the dolphins.

The Matakana and Tuhua (Mayor) islands are major boat trip destinations. You can go on a 45 minute harbour cruise in a catamaran and you are bound to see dolphins and blue penguins. Swimming with the dolphins is a popular activity and trips run most of the year subject to good weather conditions. You meet the dolphins by clinging to the bar at the back of the vessel.

Matakana Island has a 24 km beach and its eastern side offers superb surfing. Most of the island is Maori land and access is limited. You need a permit to visit the island. You get a good idea of the relaxed island way of life. There is a guided tour of the island on a horse drawn wagon.

Tuhua Island also called Mayor Island is a dormant volcano with a third of its coast forming a marine reserve. There are some great walking tracks on the island. It is a great place for snorkeling with the boats hiring out gear. Being a privately owned island, there is a landing fee which is part of the boat fare. There is campsite accommodation available on Tuhua Island.

In Tauranga, the eating and drinking places are indistinguishable from each other as most places offer both. Tauranga is home to a vibrant cafe scene and boasts of culinary delights specific to the region.

There are lots of restaurants and cafes along Devonport Rd and The Strand. The western suburb of Bethlehem has a popular winery restaurant. Tauranga also boasts a host of nightspots. There is a great selection of bars and clubs along The Strand. There is a movie house on Elizabeth St.

For a unique entertainment experience, it is worth visiting Paparoa Marae, 15 kilometres west of Tauranga. There are professional cultural performances combined with wero "a challenge", a visit to the meeting house and display of Maori crafts.

The suburbs of Tauranga are a source of interesting things to see and do. The hinterland is dominated by the Mills Reef Winery, the Waimarino Adventure Park and the excellent swimming spots in McLaren Falls. Away from the sparkle of the Mount, Papamoa Beach is famous for swimming and surfing.

The suburb of Bethlehem to the west of Tauranga has chic art deco style wine tasting rooms at Mills Reef Winery. They produce good quality chardonnays and reds. There is a top class restaurant on the premises.

The riverside Waimarino Adventure Park at Taniwha Place offers a diverse range of aquatic courses and activities such as rope swings, a hydroslide, thermal pools, trampolines, water bikes and kayaks. Kayaking trips take place on the Wairoa River. Whitewater rapids-rafting on the Wairoa River is available occasionally, subject to the opening of the dam about 26 times a year.

McLaren Falls, situated 11 kms south of Tauranga, is a hotbed of activity when kayakers and rafters converge on the Grade IV - V rapids of the Wairoa River. There are lots of shallow rock pools where you can bathe in comfort.

Ocean Beach at the Mount stretches 20 kms east to Papamoa Beach with the backdrop of the Papamoa Hills. It is a beautiful spot for surfing and swimming, away from the glare of the city.

Tauranga Accommodation

There is great accommodation choice here ranging from beach campsites to expensive waterside villas. Papamoa boasts the world's only blokart speedway track. Blokart is go-karting with a sail. It is totally wind dependent.

LooknbookNZ can arrange your Tauranga accommodation and Tauranga activities bookings and allow you and your family/friends to have a great time in the incredible Bay of Plenty region of Aotearoa.