Where New Zealand’s orchard industry meets the coast.
Tauranga
Tauranga, a metropolitan hub surrounded by beautiful coastline. Go sailing, fishing or dolphin watching and soak up the stunning coastal environment. Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and one of the fastest growing population centres in the country. Central to Auckland, Rotorua and Hamilton, and just a 15 minute drive from one of New Zealand’s most popular beach towns, Mount Maunganui.
Downtown Tauranga has several historically significant areas to view during a scenic walk around the area. The Strand waterfront area is modern and always buzzing, and is home to a number of cafés, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs, as well as a range of accommodation options. Across the road on the water’s edge, tidal stairs bring the harbour literally to your feet and children are easily entertained at the local playground. Imaginations run wild as they clamber over the Hairy Maclary bronze sculptures – a story-book scene featuring the beloved characters from Tauranga author Dame Lynley Dodd’s famous children’s books.
Tauranga’s harbour is in evidence almost everywhere you go, providing the urban area with an attractive waterfront setting. Fishing, sailing, diving and dolphin tours are easy to arrange, or check out one of the local beauty spots – McLaren Falls or the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.
Mount Maunganui
“The Mount” is the colloquial name for Mount Maunganui, a relaxed beach town that occupies a peninsula at the southern end of Tauranga Harbour. The peninsula is actually a huge sandbar, with a sheltered bay on the inner harbour side and a magnificent surf beach on the ocean side.
At the very tip of the peninsula is a distinctive peak – Mauao – which rises to 230 metres above sea level. There’s a choice of tracks leading to the summit, some more challenging than others. Huge views of the harbour, beach and Pacific Ocean make the effort totally worthwhile.
Mauao is an archaeological site of national significance, with a large pa (fort) site on top of the mountain. A Maori legend tells of Mauao trying to drag himself into the sea to escape the misery of an unrequited love; the result was his lonely position on the edge of the peninsula.
The Mount’s glorious surf beach is patrolled by lifeguards throughout the summer and by volunteers for the rest of the year. The busiest section of the beach is close to Mauao; if you walk eastward toward Papamoa you’ll find fewer people and more sand to call your own.
The beach’s reputation as a surfing mecca recently moved up a level with the installation of an artificial reef that produces consistently perfect waves. The reef is located 250m offshore and sits 0.4m below the lowest tide level, so it’s not visible above water. It has been designed to produce fast peeling, tubing, right-hand and left-hand waves, suitable for competent and experienced surfers.
As benefits a resort town by the sea, the Mount has a lively array of cafés, restaurants and shops, as well as naturally heated salt water pools. There is a Gourmet Night Market (opens in new window)with an incredible selection of food and fresh produce straight from local farms. You’ll also find plenty to keep you occupied in the outdoors too – big game fishing, dolphin tours, blokarting and dive trips are easy to organise. Accommodation options range from private holiday homes to sophisticated serviced apartments and hotels.
In 1998, Sir Peter Jackson’s team of location scouts were searching for the iconic rolling hills and lush green pastures of Hobbiton™. An aerial search led them to the Alexander farm, a stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm in the heart of the Waikato. They noted the area’s striking similarity to The Shire™, as described by JRR Tolkien, and quickly realised that the Hobbits™ had found a home.
In 2009, Sir Peter Jackson returned to film The Hobbit trilogy, and he left behind the beautiful movie set you’ll see today; 44 permanently reconstructed Hobbit Holes, in the same fantastic detail seen in the movies. In 2012 The Green Dragon™ Inn was opened as the finale to the journey. Guests now finish their Hobbiton Movie Set experience with a refreshing beverage from the Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ Range. There’s an abundance of movie magic nestled inside the fully operational farm.
Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ with a fully guided walking tour around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn.
Hell’s Gate and our surrounding region are known by a name steeped in legend. Once used by Māori warriors to heal their battle-scarred bodies, visitors now use the nutrient-rich waters and mud to ease inflammation and arthritis, as well as rejuvenate the skin. This unique blend of awe-inspiring power and natural healing properties is a thing of cultural legend – having been used for over 800 years.
Come along and you’ll soon discover why Hell’s Gate is New Zealand’s most unique and active geothermal reserve and mud spa.
The Beautiful Bay of Plenty (Te Moana-a-Toi) was named by Captain James Cook in 1769 after he noticed the abundant food supplies, compared to other bays. Its abundance of natural thermal features, majestic waterfalls and dynamic coastline make it a gift to a budding landscape photographer. We aim to guide you to these locations and help you create a hero shot to be proud off.
On this tour, you will learn how to shoot long exposure waterfalls and awe-inspiring coastal landscapes. You will benefit from expert photographic know-how from one of our professional landscape photographers and be guided into any one of a selection of locations for a unique photography experience tailored especially for you.
Papamoa Hills Helicopter Flight
Get the best views of the bay with panoramic views from the sky.
This scenic flight takes you around the region of Tauranga. This includes our iconic Mount Maunganui (mauao), a view of the inner harbour from the Bowentown Heads of Waihi to Matapihi, see the vast expansion of the city with industrial and residential builds, the historical remains of Maori Pa sites, and even marine life can often be seen during the summer months. This flight provides a blend of different landscapes with white sand surf beaches, kiwifruit, and avocado orchards, the valleys carved out of the rolling hills and our bustling city centre.
Harbour Hoorah – 3 hour city trails cycle tour
Let the DayTrippers team take you on a 3 hour electric cycle adventure exploring the amazing grade 1-2 cycle trails circling the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga. Meander on your cool Giant Fathom 3 electric mountain bike to explore coastal harbour edge tracks, lush wetland trails through bush, saltmarsh tidal ponds & across the rail bridge to experience the full beauty our harbour city offers.
The team at DayTrippers will guide you to various cycle trail locations to navigate the city trail loops for a fun adventure filled 2 hour cycle. Complimentary bottled water, DayTrippers energy pack and NZ ice cream tub is included.
The Cider Factorie
The Cider Factorie has been crafting award winning ciders from their Micro-Cidery in Te Puna since 2012.
A short drive from Tauranga CBD, you will find this stunning location with its ciders on tap or the chance to try their full range, by creating your own tasting paddle selection.
Extend your visit and stay for lunch too. The small plate menu has been designed to let you taste a selection of flavours that complement their growing range of ciders. You will also find a selection of local wines and craft beers.
Family friendly and a range of non-alcoholic drinks are available too.
