The Bay of Plenty boasts some of thebestsun and seathatNew Zealand has to offer.Tucked away along the covetedcoastline is Tauranga,home to the iconicMauao volcanoas well as the stunningMount Maunganui beach.Locals affectionatelyrefer tothis seasidetreasureas “the Mount”, because itoffers watersportsforthose who are adventurous and festivals for those who are free, and mouth-wateringfoodfor foodies.
Here are the best inTauranga andaround Tauranga. Things to do in Tauranga areas.
Climb Mount Maunganui (Mauao) At Sunrise
Mount Maunganui lies just over Tauranga in the harbor.Mauao (a Maori term for the volcano)means”caughtin thedawn” in Maori.Therefore it’s only fairtomake the mostofthe many benefits it offersat dawn.There aremany walking pathsand ittypically takes aroundan hour towalkthrough the pohutukawas.Although it’s a steep climb but once you’ve reachedthesummit you’ll be greetedwith360degpanoramasof the Bay of Plenty coastline and Taurangatown’scenter.The mountain issurroundedby two of New Zealand’s mostbeautifulbeaches:Mount Maunganui Beach and Pilot Bay, making fora truly jaw-dropping vistafromall angles.Enjoy a relaxing sunrise withan amazingbreakfastpicnic(coffeerequired).
Get Splashed AtAn Adventure Water Park
{}McLaren FallsTauranga’s WaimarinoAction Park in Taurangais sure toprovidethe adrenaline rushyourequire.There are a rangeoffun activitiesalongthe Wairoa Riverjust a 10-minutedriveawayfrom thecitycentre.There areplenty of activitiesforeveryone, such asrock climbing walls or aslide and slip.It’s impossible toskipthe Tarzanswing or water trampoline, and the giantinflatable ‘blobthatlaunches you into the lake.Waimarino alsooffersevening glowworm Kayak toursinLake McLaren . It’s aspeacefulas itis .
Go Chasing Waterfalls
Every Kiwi summershouldinclude atrektoawaterfall.StartbyvisitingMcLaren Falls Park.It’san easy 20 minutes hikethattakesvisitors through glowworm caves as well as native forestsandothernaturalmarvels.There arealso severaltrails that traversethe190-hectare reserve, so set out fora few hours of exploring.TheKaiate Falls, located 30 minutesaway fromTauranga and is the next stopto be on your list of things to do.Take the forest trailtothetop of Kaiate Fallsandthenfollow the cascadesdownuntil youarrive atthis swimming hole.Take a refreshing dipin thisbeautifullake.
Sail A Catamaranto this uninhibited island
Aquickdrive along thecoastlinewilltakeyou to Whakatane, your starting pointfor anepicdayaboardacatamaran.Set sailtowardMoutohora Island to explore the wildlifesanctuaryoff ofthe Bay of Plenty.If you’re lucky enough,you’llseethe uniquenativeanimals that live on the shore, such asKakariki, Tuatara, fur seals, andpenguins.Asnorkel triparound the island will givevisitors a glimpse oftheamazingmarine life.Enjoy your dayon the island’s privatehot-water beachor relaxingon theboat’s sideboard.
The Dream Summer Festival
You aren’t reallyanKiwiifyour summers weren’tatBay Dreams.These guys know howput onan event. The January 2019show that sold outwas a huge success.Cardi Bheadlinethe stage,playingsongslikeBodak Yellow and wowing anelectrifyingcrowd.Peking Duk’sLAB, Katchafire, and Sub Focus were just ahandful of acts thatwere on stageat the NewYear’s celebrationin 2021.Bay Dreams is Tauranga’s best summerdestination. Itfeatures an amazingline-up withglitter, denim and camping.
These Stores Have Local Stores
Shopping in Tauranga isabout findinghidden treasuresatindependent stores.Ifyou’ve got ansense ofdesign and a love ofKiwi-made brands, you shouldgo to thePaperPlane conceptstore.There, you’lldiscover a carefully selected selection offashion, lifestyle and homewares.Our Place offersa variety ofmoving pop-ups, rangingfrom fashion to jewelleryand art,thatallow forspontaneity.Our Place is made out of shipping containers. It wasdesignedwith the intention to offerlow-cost retail space tolocalartisans and entrepreneurs.You’re certain tofind unique gems atthis centre.
Picnic In Style On Mount Maunganui Beach
Are you lookingto indulge insomeluxury?Ifyou arelooking forluxury, a bohemian stylepicnicwith a view ofMauaoMountainand the ocean is thewayto go.Bay Picnicsofferseverything you needfora memorable occasion, birthdaycelebration, orsimplyan enjoyablenightout.They have teepees forlarge fluffy pillows,festoon light,pillowsas well asBluetooth speakers.There’s also a varietyoffood options available that include vegan, vegetarianand raw platters.You canadd flowers toyour picnic ifit isan occasion for romance likean engagement that you’ve always wanted to have.
Join the Markets
Taurangaoffers something differentwhen it comes tomarkets on weekends.You cango tothe Little Big Markets every Saturday toseea variety of talented artisansandtastyfood.Everythingfrom French crepes torainbow shaved-ice, and locally-madeproducts will be on sale.Foodiescannot miss theDinner in the Domain,a weeklygathering of thebestfood trucksin the area.Bubble waffles,giantpaellaand sweettreats are all part ofthe menu.We’re swooningover thedelicious treats availableon offer atHello Rosie.Thevegan junk foodconnoisseurisan expert inveganjunkfood.But if you would rathertake a bite offreshpiece offruit,checkout the Saturdayfarmersmarket forsomeamazing seasonal fruits that willamp up any cheese board.
Moturiki Island – Walk
Yes,that’scorrect.It is possible to walk aroundthissmallisland.Thesmall350-metre longislandsits adjacent toMount Maunganui beach and is connectedvia a walkingbridge.A blowhole islocatedon the island, and itis able to pump water upwardsathigh tide.Follow the track upwards toenjoy the stunningviews of Mauaoas well asthecity’scoastline.
Salt Water Hot Pools – Relax andUnwind
A visit toMount HotPoolsis a must if unwinding and relaxationiswhat you are looking for.This salt-water pool,set against Mount Maunganui’s backdrop,is well-known for itshealingbenefits.You will feel rejuvenatedafter asoak.You can alsobooka private pool fortheluxurious massage you desire.
Visitthis Quaint Historic Village
It is possible totake a step back in timebystrollingthroughthecobbled streets andthe historicvillage .It’seasy to spend theentire dayin this charmingtown, which is filledwith hiddencorners as well as quirky craftsmenandcutecafes.There are alsotiny studios for those who love artsuch asTurner Gallery or Imprint Gallery.
Taste the delicious local food
Let’s face facts, weare all aboutfood.Tauranga isa greatplace to getdeliciousfood and drinksthatwill keep youfullthroughout theday.
Ground Zero Coffeemustalways beonthelistof coffeelovers.They’re the Bay ofPlenty’sfirstSpecialty Coffee microroastery and offericed coffee and flat whites.Ifyou areseekingsomething sweet,stop byYo and Co. A dessert barspecialisingon waffles,savoury and sweetcrêpes.It is alsoone of Tauranga and TheMount’s most well-knownicecream shops.
Health nuts withan appetite for sweetsmustnotmisstheNourished Eatery.The cafe is a plant-based one thatis a great place to eatlocal, freshproduce.The cafe isproud to bevegan andoffergluten-free and milk-free options.For breakfast, you mightenjoy a tastyWellness Bowl stuffed with herby hash browns,spicytofu,tomato, sprouts, quinoaand coconutTzatziki.Be sure to makespace forsweet treatsfromThe Nourishing Baker, such as fresh and deliciousNutella brownies, double chocolate browniesas well ascustard doughnuts.
