Tauranga couldn’t have a better waterfront setting, with vistas of the great Pacific Ocean always in view. With its urban ambiance and expanses of white sand beaches, New Zealand‘s fifth-largest city is a popular destination for tourists. Here are the top activities and fun things to do in Tauranga.
1. What has made Tauranga famous?
One of New Zealand’s cities with the fastest population growth in Tauranga. It is noted for its beaches, which include the well-known Mount Maunganui, and is situated on the east coast of the North Island. One recognizable volcanic cone is Mount/Mauao. The city’s mild climate makes it the perfect place to swim and surf.
2. Is it worthwhile to travel to Tauranga?
Anyone who likes being outside must visit Tauranga. The public can access many of Tauranga’s main tourist attractions for free. Here, you’ll also discover some top excursions and experiences in the Bay of Plenty. Engage in thrilling sports like skydiving or white water rafting to raise your heart rate.
3. What are the best things to do in Tauranga?
Climb Mount Maunganui’s
When visiting Tauranga, don’t miss Mt Maunganui, the city’s most well-liked beachfront neighborhood! Mt Maunganui is a town in and of itself, brimming with stores, restaurants, and lodging. Walking up The Mount/Mauao, the volcanic cone at the end of the suburb, should be your only activity while in Mt Maunganui. It just takes 15 to 30 minutes to go to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Tauranga, Mt. Maunganui Beach, and the Bay of Plenty coastline.
Explore the art scene in Tauranga
Due to the beautiful artwork dotted all over the place, Tauranga has a lovely appearance. On the walls of some of the most remote locations, street art is widely available and a lot of fun to search for. As an alternative, there is the Tauranga Art Gallery, a public space with regularly changing exhibits that will astonish and amaze. Additionally, sculptures may be seen around the city’s center, especially on The Strand.
Spend the day in McLaren Falls Park
Look no further than McLaren Falls Park if you’re looking for the ideal urban retreat. Be astounded by the waterfall cascade that empties into the Wairoa River at the park’s entrance. Everyone can enjoy the park’s walking trails, glowworms (visible at night), camping, farm park, trout fishing, disc golf, kayaking, picnic sites, and other activities.
Take a dolphin swim
Dolphins abound in the waters just off Tauranga’s coast! Take part in a dolphin cruise to see or interact with the dolphins. Common dolphins, noted for traveling in superpods, are the dolphins that have been spotted nearby. All the wetsuit gear you’ll need will be provided by your guides, so you can stay warm as you enjoy watching playful dolphins in their natural habitat.
Confront the Adrenalin Forest
Enjoy some treetop fun at this aerial obstacle course in Tauranga. In Adrenalin Forest, there are more than 100 activities to complete on six distinct levels, ranging from kid-friendly to extremely difficult. On this course, which can be completed in a few hours at the very least, zipline, climb, and jump from at least 20 meters (66 feet) above the earth!
Journey to Papamoa
Enjoy the 16 km (10 miles) golden sand beach in Papamoa, Tauranga’s largest neighborhood. New Zealanders travel there frequently, and for a good reason. Go to the beach or explore the Papamoa Hills’ hiking and mountain biking paths. There are also chances to try something unusual like bloating or go-karts that are powered by the wind. Or simply relax in some amazing cafes and shopping centers.
Visit the beach for the day
Spending time on the beach is another fun and cost-free activity in Tauranga. The Main Beach in Mt. Maunganui and Papamoa Beach, which we just highlighted, is the most well-liked options. Visit Moturiki (Leisure Island), an island connected to the Main Beach by a causeway, or just relax on the sand and swim, make sandcastles, or do whatever else you like to do.
Mount Maunganui’s stand-up paddleboard
Since there is so much to discover throughout New Zealand’s waterways and shore, SUP is growing in popularity there. Some of the best locations to check out this entertaining yet peaceful activity include Tauranga and Mt. Maunganui. Mt Maunganui surf shops rent out surfboards and SUP boards, while Eastcoast Paddler also offers SUP tours. Either paddle around The Mount/Mauao, discovering hidden beaches and spotting a variety of fish along the way, or paddle beside the lovely white sand at Mt Maunganui’s Main Beach.
With the glowworms, let’s kayak
Everyone has a bucket list item in New Zealand: seeing glowworms, right? On a glowworm kayaking tour in Tauranga, you can discover the shimmering curiosities of New Zealand distinctively. You are taken to Lake McLaren in McLaren Falls Park by Waimarino Kayak Tours, where you can enjoy a picnic by the lake before kayaking in the evening. By the time it gets dark, you will be paddling along a little canyon illuminated by glowworms’ glittering blue lights.
Investigate Our Kaiate Falls
The Kaiate Falls, also known as Te Rerekawau Falls, is a natural wonder located 30 minutes outside of Tauranga. On your walk down to the plunge pool, follow the well-defined trails through the forest, which become quite steep in certain spots. There are several vantage spots from which to watch the waterfall’s numerous stages, which lead to a swimming hole at the bottom.
Jump Out Over the City
Skydive Tauranga offers skydivers the chance to enjoy breathtaking airborne views and heart-pounding thrills. They provide tandem skydives from altitudes of 10,000 or 12,000 feet, offering views of Tauranga’s expansive city and its meandering rivers as well as the famous Mount Maunganui, the beaches of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, and the iconic Mount Maunganui. Experience a 30- to 45-second freefall before returning to the ground via parachute.
4. Tauranga Weather
What is the best time to visit Tauranga?
The best months to visit Tauranga are December, January, February, and March if you want to go while it’s warm. In Tauranga, these are the warmest months, with the hottest temperatures occurring in late January and early February (24.9°C).
What time of year is the coldest in Tauranga?
From May to September, the chilly season lasts for several months, with an average daily maximum temperature below 61°F. In Tauranga, July is the coldest month of the year, with an average low of 45°F and a high of 57°F.
5. How to get to Tauranga?
With a three-hour journey to Auckland, a one-hour drive to Hamilton, and a one-hour trip to Rotorua, Tauranga is well connected to the rest of New Zealand by road. Domestic flights to Tauranga take 40 minutes, and Auckland Airport, the closest international airport, offers a wide selection of vehicle rental options.
The primary national bus route, about which you may learn more under Bus Networks in New Zealand, passes through Tauranga as well.
