Mauao Summit Walk
The climb every visitor to Mount Maunganui talks about: a well-made track up the 232 metre volcanic cone, with 360 degree views over the harbour, the ocean and the coast. Free, and doable in an hour.
1 to 1.5 hoursDetails →
New Zealand
Tauranga
Tauranga is a sunny harbour city on New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, and Mount Maunganui is its beach suburb, set beneath the volcanic cone of Mauao.
This guide pulls together the best of both: the summit and base walks around Mauao, golden surf beaches, hot pools, dolphin and wildlife cruises, glowworm kayaking, kiwifruit and avocado tastings and a craft gin workshop. It also covers the day trips that make this a favourite cruise port, from the Shire at Hobbiton to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu. Free sights keep their own links, paid tours and experiences are bookable here, and the hotels run from waterfront city stays to beachfront apartments and good-value motor inns.
Don't miss
Mauao Summit Walk
The climb every visitor to Mount Maunganui talks about: a well-made track up the 232 metre volcanic cone, with 360 degree views over the harbour, the ocean and the coast. Free, and doable in an hour.
Half Day Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise
A half-day boat trip into the Bay of Plenty to find wild dolphins, seabirds and marine life, with a good chance of close encounters in open water.
Tauranga History and Kiwifruit Tasting Tour
A four hour shore-friendly tour of Tauranga history and scenery that ends with kiwifruit tasting, the fruit that made the Bay of Plenty famous.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour from Tauranga
Visit the Shire on a guided day trip from Tauranga: round hobbit holes, the Party Tree and the Green Dragon Inn on a working farm near Matamata.
Things to do in Tauranga
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Mauao Base Track
A flat, scenic loop of about 3.5 kilometres around the foot of Mauao, with ocean views, rock pools, pōhutukawa and beaches. Free, easy and good in any weather.
1 hourDetails →
Mount Maunganui Main Beach
Long, surf-washed golden sand under the shadow of Mauao, with lifeguards in summer, cafes just behind the dunes and some of the most reliable beginner waves in New Zealand.
2 hours to a full dayDetails →
Mount Hot Pools
Heated saltwater pools at the foot of Mauao, a classic post-climb soak with private pools, a family area and views up the mountain you just walked.
Fernland Spa Mineral Pools
Natural geothermal mineral water in a leafy Tauranga setting, with a signature soak pass for the hot pools and a calm, old-fashioned spa feel away from the beach crowds.
The Strand and Tauranga Waterfront
The harbourside heart of Tauranga city: a palm-lined esplanade of restaurants and bars, a waterfront reserve and views across to the ships and the mountain.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
The Elms Mission House
A preserved 1830s mission station on the Te Papa peninsula, with a heritage house, library, gardens and guided tours that make early colonial Tauranga come alive.
Kaiate Falls
A short, easy bush walk to a series of cascades and swimming holes in the hills behind Papamoa, free and good for a half-day away from the beaches.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Half Day Dolphin and Wildlife Cruise
A half-day boat trip into the Bay of Plenty to find wild dolphins, seabirds and marine life, with a good chance of close encounters in open water.
Wild Dolphin Encounter
A small-boat trip aimed at getting closer to wild dolphins in the Bay of Plenty, with time on the water, expert spotting and a focus on respectful viewing.
Tauranga Harbour Historical Boat Cruise
A relaxed 90 minute cruise around Tauranga Harbour with commentary on the port, the islands, the headlands and the long Māori and colonial history of the water.
Tandem Skydive over the Bay of Plenty
A 15,000 foot tandem skydive over the Bay of Plenty, with a view of Mauao, the islands and the long curve of coast before the landing on the beach.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Trinity Wharf Tauranga
Tauranga Waterfront
A harbourside hotel on the Tauranga waterfront with views over the water, a pool and an easy walk to the city centre. Our pick for a central, comfortable base.
Check rates →Hotel on Devonport
Central Tauranga
A contemporary city hotel in central Tauranga, close to the shops, cafes and waterfront, with a restaurant, a bar and comfortable rooms.
Check rates →Mercure Tauranga
Tauranga
A reliable mid-range chain hotel near the centre of Tauranga, with a pool, a restaurant and easy access to the harbour and main roads.
Check rates →CitySide Hotel Tauranga
Central Tauranga
A budget-friendly, central Tauranga hotel that keeps things simple: clean rooms, a good location and easy walking to the city sights.
Check rates →Quest on Durham
Central Tauranga
Serviced apartments in central Tauranga with kitchens and laundry, perfect for longer stays, families and groups who want space.
Check rates →Oceanside Resort and Twin Towers
Mount Maunganui Beachfront
A beachside apartment resort on Marine Parade at Mount Maunganui, with a pool, spa facilities and apartments just steps from the sand.
Check rates →Capri On Pilot Bay
Pilot Bay, Mount Maunganui
Apartment-style accommodation facing Pilot Bay, the sheltered harbour beach at the foot of Mauao, with a calmer feel than the ocean side.
Check rates →Belle Mer Beach Front Apartments
Mount Maunganui Beachfront
Beachfront apartments on the Mount Maunganui strip with ocean views, balconies and a short walk to cafes, the main street and the sand.
Check rates →Quest Mt Maunganui
Mount Maunganui
Modern serviced apartments in Mount Maunganui, close to the beach, the main street and the foot of Mauao, with kitchens and laundry.
Check rates →Baywatch Motor Inn
Mount Maunganui
A friendly motor inn in Mount Maunganui with studio and one-bedroom units, a pool and an easy walk to the beach.
Check rates →Pacific Motor Inn
Mount Maunganui area
A budget-friendly motor inn in the Tauranga area with self-contained units and parking at the door, ideal for road-trippers.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Mauao Summit WalkStay
Capri On Pilot BayPilot Bay, Mount Maunganui
Do
Half Day Dolphin and Wildlife CruiseStay
Trinity Wharf TaurangaTauranga Waterfront
Do
Tauranga History and Kiwifruit Tasting TourStay
Hotel on DevonportCentral Tauranga
Tauranga guides
First-Timer's Guide to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: What to Do, Book and Skip
Plan your first trip to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: the Mauao climb, beaches, dolphins, day trips to Hobbiton and Rotorua, and what to book ahead.
Where to Stay in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: City, Beach and Budget Bases
A guide to choosing where to stay in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: waterfront city hotels, beachfront apartments, Pilot Bay and good-value motor inns.
Tauranga in Three Days: Mauao, the Coast and a Day Trip Inland
A three-day Tauranga and Mount Maunganui itinerary: the Mauao climb, beach and hot pools, a dolphin cruise, local food and a day trip to Hobbiton or Rotorua.
Day Trips from Tauranga: Hobbiton, Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu and Beyond
Choosing a day trip from Tauranga: how Hobbiton, Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu compare, how long each takes and when a private tour makes sense.
Tauranga on a Cruise Day: Shore Excursions and Easy Ideas
Planning a cruise day in Tauranga: how to choose between Hobbiton, Rotorua and local options, how long things take and how to stay on time.
Eating and Drinking in Tauranga: Kiwifruit, Avocados, Seafood and Craft Gin
A food lover's guide to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: kiwifruit and avocado tastings, waterfront dining, beach cafes and a craft gin workshop.
