Tauranga combines a busy harbour city with coastal scenery, local culture and outdoor activities. Set within the Bay of Plenty, it offers a relaxed base for exploring the region’s waterways, waterfront attractions and surrounding countryside.
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Tauranga is a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island, known for its natural harbour, waterfront attractions and easy access to beautiful beaches. Visit nearby Mount Maunganui or head inland to Rotorua for more outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Things to do in Tauranga
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Bay of Plenty Attractions & Activities by Area
Popular in Tauranga
from NZ $40.00
1 hours 30 mins
from NZ $150.00
2 Hours 
Tauranga Harbour Cruise
90 Minute Cruise on the Waters of Tauranga Harbour
from NZ $50.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
Dolphin & Wildlife Eco Cruise
Get up close to Wild Dolphins, on board our comfortable cruising vessel
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours Activities and Attractions in Tauranga
from NZ $390.00
30 Mins 
from NZ $170.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $200.00
4 Hours 
V8 Trike Tour - The Ultimate V8 Experience!
Of course... the V8 Trike!!
from NZ $190.00
25 mins
from NZ $490.00
45 Mins 
from NZ $265.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $490.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $150.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $180.00
3 Hours 
Avocado Adventure Tour
Guided tour of a working avocado orchard by the grower
from NZ $59.00
1 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $490.00
1 Hours 
TAURANGA LOCAL TASTING TOUR
Travel on gondola for tasting & presentation at awarded Rotorua winery
from NZ $300.00
6 hours 
from NZ $490.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $490.00
1 Hours 
Tauranga Scenic Harbor Cruise
Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local points of interest.
from NZ $55.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $175.00
from NZ $195.00
6 hours 15 mins
Kaimai Classic Scenic Flight
Discover the North Islands Tallest Waterfall From The Air!
from NZ $620.00
from NZ $70.00
1 hours 30 mins
Coromandal Coastal Scenic Flight
Discover The Famous Cathedral Cove From The Air
from NZ $1550.00
from NZ $420.00
from NZ $390.00
1 Hours 
Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise
Close-Up Wildlife Encounters: Spot wild dolphins, whales, seals, and penguins up close.
from NZ $175.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $135.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $120.00
2 Hours 
Wild Dolphin Encounter
Get close to the wildlife on our spacious viewing deck.
from NZ $180.00
5 Hours 
from NZ $390.00
1 Hours 
Toi Tauranga Art Gallery International Visito...
Explore world-class contemporary art in a beautifully redeveloped gallery in the heart of Tauranga
from NZ $25
1 hours 
from NZ $490.00
1 Hours 45 Mins 
from NZ $390.00
30 Mins Find your perfect Tauranga experience
Travel Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tauranga
Where is Tauranga located?
Tauranga is a vibrant coastal city in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand’s North Island, situated along the northeastern coastline. It lies near the entrance to the Tauranga Harbour and is surrounded by beautiful beaches, rolling hills, and scenic landscapes, making it a popular destination for both city experiences and outdoor adventures.
What is Tauranga best known for?
Tauranga is best known for its stunning beaches, including Mount Maunganui Beach, vibrant harbor, outdoor lifestyle, water-based activities, thriving café and restaurant scene, and as a gateway to the scenic Bay of Plenty region.
How do I get to Tauranga?
You can get to Tauranga by car, bus, or domestic flight, with easy access from nearby cities like Auckland and Hamilton, or via Tauranga Airport for direct regional flights.
Is Tauranga good for outdoor activities?
Yes, Tauranga is excellent for outdoor activities, offering surfing, swimming, kayaking, sailing, hiking, cycling, and scenic walks along beaches and the harbor.
Is Tauranga family‑friendly?
Yes, Tauranga is very family‑friendly, with safe beaches, parks, walking and cycling trails, playgrounds, and plenty of activities suitable for children and families.
What is the weather like in Tauranga?
Tauranga has a mild, temperate coastal climate with warm, sunny summers averaging around 22–26°C and mild winters averaging 10–15°C, along with moderate rainfall throughout the year, making it ideal for outdoor and beach activities year-round.
How long should I spend in Tauranga?
Most visitors spend 2–3 days in Tauranga, which gives enough time to explore its beaches, harbor, Mount Maunganui, local attractions, and nearby outdoor adventures in the Bay of Plenty region.
What are the top attractions in Tauranga?
Tauranga is a vibrant city offering a mix of outdoor adventure, wildlife encounters, art, and local culture. Some of the top attractions include a Stand Up Paddle Adventure for a fun and active way to explore the waterways, a Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise to see dolphins, seals, and other marine life up close, and the Toi Tauranga Art Gallery for a dose of local art and culture. You can also join a Waka Ama Adventure (Outrigger Canoe) to experience traditional Māori paddling, enjoy the Tauranga Local Tasting Tour to sample the region’s culinary delights, or take the Big Kanu Glowworm Tour for a magical evening adventure.
Tourist Information About Tauranga
Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and one of the fastest-growing population centres in the country. Tauranga is also just a 15-minute drive from one of New Zealand's most popular beach towns, Mount Maunganui, which has spectacular beaches great for surfing. Located at the entrance to one of the largest natural harbours in New Zealand, Tauranga's harbour is in evidence almost everywhere you go, providing the urban area with an attractive waterfront setting. Tauranga has many activities and tourist attractions, with fishing, sailing, diving, windsurfing, dolphin and wildlife tours, and cycling and walking adventures. Go on a biking adventure, visit Waimarino Adventure Park, McLaren Falls Park, Kaiate Falls, or explore Leisure Island. Delicious food and drink, stunning walking tracks and trails. Downtown Tauranga has several historically significant areas to view and is home to a number of cafés, restaurants, pubs plus a vibrant nightlife.
Best Attractions and free things to do in Tauranga
1. V8 Trike Tour
If you're looking for a fun-filled adrenaline rush, the V8 Trike Tour is just the place! It's the top 10% Attraction Worldwide and voted #1 Outdoor Activity in Tauranga. The unique and thrilling experience starts on a V8 Chevrolet trike as you explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty. A perfect and memorable way to spend an evening.
2. Tauranga Art Gallery
The Tauranga Art Gallery consists of breathtaking pieces of exquisite art, appreciated by everyone. Whether it's a cloudy, sunny, or cold day, the Tauranga Art Gallery should be at the top of your bucket list. There is something for everyone to enjoy with the wide variety of art forms the building takes in. Why not take an hour or two out of your day to have a look?
3. Kaituna River Rafting
Often, the bay of plenty can be too sunny to spend the day in the sun. So, why not send it into the river? Join the Original Kaituna Rafting Company for an unbeatable white-water experience on one of New Zealand's most exciting and beautiful rivers! You even take on the world-famous 7-meter Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall!
4. Rotorua
Wherever you are staying in the Bay of Plenty, it's always worth taking a day trip to Rotorua. With so many wonderful things to do it would be a missed opportunity not to take the drive. From Volcano hikes to mud spas, there's something for everyone!
5. Hike Mt Maunganui
Don't miss out on the views from the peak of Mt Maunganui, often known as Mauao or "The Mount." There are several walking trails that lead up and around The Mount, but the 30-minute journey to the peak rewards you with panoramic views of the beaches, Tauranga city, and the Pacific Ocean. A morning run up and down "the Mount" is one of the most popular activities to do in Mount Maunganui for locals and visitors trying to keep in shape.
6. McLaren Falls Park
When you ask the locals about things to do in Tauranga, they will recommend McLaren Falls Park. McLaren Falls Park is a 20-minute drive from Tauranga. Walking through the many sections of native and exotic trees, through the extremely reflective Lake McLaren, and marvelling at the McLaren Falls at the park's entrance may take up a whole day. The 10-minute waterfall trail to the unidentified waterfall is highly recommended!
7. Browse the Markets
In Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, there's always something going on, and marketplaces are generally featured. For food, crafts, design, and art, visit the Little Big Markets in Coronation Park, Mt Maunganui, every first Saturday of the month throughout the summer, 9 am-2 pm. On Saturdays, the Tauranga Farmers Market is also packed with vendors and consumers from roughly 8 a.m until 12 p.m. The Tauranga Primary School on Fifth Avenue/Cameron Road hosts the event. Finally, if you're up early on Sundays, the Tauranga Market is held on the first and third Sundays of each month at the Historic Village on Seventeenth Avenue West.
8. Te Puna Quarry
Riddled in marvelous statues, Te Puna Quarry Park has magic to be discovered at every turn.
The gardens are brimming with unique features, including irises, cactus and succulents, a palm grove, bonsai nook, butterfly garden, and so much more, including orchids by the thousands. With our Australian and South African areas, you can experience a taste of distant places.
9. Surfing
Mt Maunganui Beach is a great place to go wave-riding when the swell is big. There are several surf businesses in the Mt Maunganui area that frequently offer surf hire discounts. Alternatively, several hostels in town, such as Pacific Coast Lodge, provide complimentary boarding to their visitors, so take advantage! Surfing is undoubtedly one of Tauranga's most popular pastimes.
10. Blowholes on Leisure Island
Leisure Island is one of the most accessible islands in the world. Simply cross a footbridge that connects the island to Mt Maunganui's main beach and take a 10-minute walk down a pathway that leads to a blowhole. One of the best things to do at Mount Maunganui is to take a leisurely stroll.
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