Things To Do

EXPLORE THE BAY OF PLENTY

Take a look around our beautiful home

Tauranga City

Tauranga Art Gallery

Visit the Tauranga Art Gallery – open 10am – 4:30pm daily. $7 entrance fee for international visitors.

Harbor Boardwalk

Take a stroll along the harbour boardwalk on the Strand – includes tidal stairs for swimming and pier/pontoon.

Heritage Walk

The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga and Rose Gardens. Walk takes about 1.5 hours. The Elms is one of New Zealand’s oldest heritage sites.

Hairy Maclary Sculptures

Hairy Maclary sculptures – located in the middle of the strand waterfront next to children’s playground.

Brain Watkins Historic House

Visit Brain Watkins historic house, 233 Cameron Road. Open on Sundays from 2-4pm.

Waikareao Estuary

Take a walk around the Waikareao Estuary, a 9km loop track, close to the city centre.

Art Walk

Art Walk, which includes the Owen Dippie mural paintings – also the angel wings on The Strand and the forest scene at the Masonic carpark.

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui (Mauao) Base Track

See the beauty The Mount has to offer. Take a walk around the base track of Mauao (takes about 45 minutes).

Mauao Summit Walk

Witness the world famous views from the top of The Mount. Take a walk to the summit of Mauao (takes about 40 minutes).

Moturiki Island Blowhole

Take a walk to the end of Moturiki Island and see the blow hole (takes about 10 minutes, one way).

Mount Hot Pools

Have a soak in the Mount Maunganui hot salt water pools (open daily until 10pm). Adults – $20. Children up to 15 – $13.50.

Harbor Cruise

Enjoy a harbour cruise, leaving from the Pilot Bay jetty by the base track of Mauao (one hour cruise, departing on the hour).

outer city area

Classic Flyers Museum

Classic Flyers Museum, Jean Batten Drive (the road to airport) – accessible by local bus.

Tauranga Historic Village

Take a walk around the Historic Village, 17th Avenue. Café, art galleries, local artisans, handmade homeware, retro clothing etc.

Fernland Spa

Have a soak at Fernland Spa (natural mineral hot pools), 250 Cambridge Road – accessible by local bus.

Kaiate Falls

Take the walking track down to see Kaiate Falls, Waitao Road, Welcome Bay (car).

Papamoa Hills

Take a walk up the Papamoa Hills, off Poplar Lane, uphill walk of about 30 minutes to the home of 10 Maori pa sites. (car)

There are also organised tours and activities that are available. To ensure your place, come in and see the friendly team at the Tauranga i-SITE Visitor Centre and we can organise all your bookings for you – both locally and nationwide.

North of the bay

Minden Lookout

Visit the Minden Lookout, Minden Road, Te Puna.

Te Puna Quarry

Visit the Te Puna Quarry Park, open all day, every day. Gardens, walks, sculptures, views. Converted from a disused quarry.

KatiKati Museum

Visit the Western Bay Museum in Katikati. The small museum that tells a big story. Open 7
days a week 10 m – 4 pm.

KatiKati Bird Gardens

Visit the Katikati Bird Gardens, Walkers Road East. Open 7 days a week, 10am – 4.30pm
(October-May).

KatiKati Haiku Path

Take a walk along the Katikati Haiku Pathway. This pathway is believed to be the largest
display of boulder haiku outside of Japan.

Waihi Goldmine

Waihi goldmine. Tours available of the mine and goldmine museum at the Waihi i-SITE.

Karangahake Gorge

Lots of amazing walks. Loops walk – 45 minutes | Windows Walk – 1.5 hours (torch needed).

Sapphire Springs

Sapphire Springs Holiday Park – thermal pools open to public 8am – 8pm. Hot Springs
Road, Katikati.

Athenree Hot Pools

Athenree Hot Pools. 1 Athenree Road, Athenree. Ph. 07 863 5600 – Open 7 days from 10am – 7.30pm

West of the bay

McLaren Falls Park

Have a picnic at McLaren Falls Park. Botanical tree collection, walking tracks, camping,kayaking (organise a tour at i-SITE), trout fishing, Marshalls Animal Park. Covers 190 hectares.

Redwood Lane Blueberries

Redwood Lane Blueberries. Pick your own. Great day out for the whole family. They have a late season, so you can visit from late January until early April. Hours: 8am – 6pm every day.

Detailed information on bookings, current prices, times of departure, availability etc can be given to you by the staff at the Tauranga i-SITE.

Tauranga i-SITE Visitor Centre
103 The Strand, Tauranga
Phone: +64 7 578 8103
bookings@bayofplentynz.com