Tauranga

Tauranga Māori language for “resting place,” or “safe anchorage”) is a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty region and the fifth-most populous city of New Zealand, with an urban population of 162,800 (June 2024), or roughly 3% of the national population. It was settled by Māori late in the 13th century and colonised by Europeans in the early 19th century. It was constituted as a city in 1963

Places to go

Perfect Destinations In Tauranga

Mount Maunganui (Mauao)

The iconic Mt. Maunganui, at an elevation of 232m above sea level, is a focal tourist attraction far and wide for its vast sandy beaches, high ocean waves for surfing, and Pilot Bay’s relaxing water. It once was an independent township until Tauranga Bridge connected it to the economic hub.

Tauranga Art Gallery

Established in 2007, Tauranga Art Gallery has become one of the recent tourist attractions in the city of Tauranga with its award-winning exhibitions. The exhibitions held at frequent intervals are splendidly curated and bear Maori culture and heritage richness. The artists are primarily local and national, but the gallery also boasts international recognition, with talented artists from war and worldwide exhibiting their poignant and finessed artworks. The gallery is situated at the Wharf and Willow Street in the Western Bay of Plenty District, New Zealand.

Waihi Beach

Waihi Beach is a popular tourist attraction near Tauranga, New Zealand. The beach offers a 10-kilometre stretch of shoreline that visitors can explore. It is a pristine white sand beach that is an excellent location for water sports and leisure activities. Locals often visit for a picnic with friends and family. Waihi Beach is located in the western part of the Bay of Plenty and at the northern tip of the country’s coastline.

White Island Tours

White Island Tours is a fun-filled and thrilling tour of the White Island Volcano. Also known as Whakaari, White Island is the most active Volcano in New Zealand. This attraction is located about 90 kilometres from the Tauranga Coast of New Zealand, making the Volcano an accessible location. White Island Tours covers almost the entire volcano area (about 2 kilometres wide). The volcano runs metres deep into the water. White Island is the 320-metre-high tip that comes out of the water and forms a small circular island. The local name of the island, “Whakaari”, means a dramatic volcano in the Maori language.

Mount Maunganui Hot Salt Water Pools

The Mount Maunganui Hot Salt Water Pools is a top-rated Tauranga facility loved by tourists and locals alike. The hot pools offer therapeutic dips into salty ocean water, known to have healing properties, rebalance and detoxify the body and be extremely relaxing for the muscles. The temperatures of these pools can vary from 31ºC to 39ºC and are of two types, active pools and passive pools, wherein the latter has massage jets along the walls of the collections.

Matakana Island

Located in the western Bay of Plenty on the North Island, Matakana Island, also known as the Jewel of the Bay, is a flat, long barrier island that stretches for as much as 20 kilometres and 12 miles. Still, the width runs for only about three kilometres, which is 1.9 miles wide. Matakana Island is known for the unique geology and history of the region and the varied biodiversity found in the waters and on land.

Waimarino Adventure Park

Waimarino Adventure Park is situated on the banks of the Wairoa River and mainly focuses on kayaking. But it also has access to many other fun activities like Water Trampoline, Climbing Wall, Italian Pedalo, The BLOB, NZ’s only Kayak Slide, Tarzan Swing, Gladiator Pole, Diving Boards, Swimming, Recreational Kayaks, Canoes, Slip ‘n’ Slide, Warm Thermal Pool, Low Ropes Course, Beach Volleyball and a lot more.

Pilot Bay

At the foot of Mount Maunganui, Pilot Bay is one of Tauranga’s famous beaches. Pilot Bay, also known as Waikorire, is the original Maori name for the area which extends along the beachfront and the base of Mauoa, where the camping ground and hot pools are situated.

Omanawa Falls

The Omanawa Falls are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New Zealand, considering the heavy amount of falls in the country. The waters are crystal clear with a tealish tinge, and the water temperature stays chilly primarily. The 35-meter-tall waterfalls drop into a small water body surrounded by lush green forests, making it appear like a natural oasis

McLaren Falls Park

Sprawling across an area of 190 hectares, sitting adjacent to Lake McLaren, McLaren Falls Park is a ten-minute drive from Tauranga. A popular tourist attraction is a go-to for several outdoor recreational activities like Kayaking, disc golfing, fishing, camping, picnics, bush walks and summer lawn concerts.