Tauranga Car Hire

Guide to Tauranga

Geography

Tauranga proper lies nestled between the northwestern corner of Bay of Plenty and the southeastern edge of Tauranga Harbour, covering an area of 168 square kilometres. It is flanked by Matakana Island bearing the imposing but extinct volcano, Mount Maunganui.

Climate in Tauranga

Tauranga has an oceanic temperate maritime climate. While planning your trip, it is advisable to note that New Zealand’s seasons are reversed as it lies in the southern hemisphere. So, the summer months of December to February are the best time to visit. Average temperatures hover between 15°C to 21°C, making it perfect for outdoor and beach activities.

Culture

Tauranga is a Maori name meaning ‘resting place’ or ‘safe anchorage’. The earliest known settlers here - as early as the 13th century - were the Maori. The Europeans arrived in the 19th century and established the first Anglican mission (Elms Mission House) in 1826. Today, Tauranga is a bustling port city and one of New Zealand’s main centres for international trade, fashion, and culture. New year celebrations at Mount Maunganui are spectacular and draw large crowds from all over the country and world.

Things To Do in Tauranga

Summit Mount Maunganui

Rising to an elevation of 232 metres, the magnificent Mount Maunganui towers over the city and offers splendid panoramic views across the entire Bay of Plenty. At its base, you’ll find the pristine soft sands of Maunganui Beach and Pilot Bay. Enjoy a picnic breakfast at one of the secluded spots as you catch the sunrise over the mountain. You can also surf the really gentle waves here. Other options include fishing, camping and dolphin watching tours. There are a few hiking trails around the mountain and - with average fitness levels - the climb up to the summit should take you around half an hour.

Relax in a hot saltwater pool spa

If relaxation and rejuvenation are some of your priorities, then visiting the Mount Maunganui Salt Water Pools is a must. A therapeutic soak in these saltwater pools against the backdrop of the mountain is the perfect remedy for sore muscles which, we assume, you would have gotten after your climb to the top of Mount Maunganui. There are active pools and passive pools, the latter of which have massage jets along the walls.

Feast your eyes on fantastic florals

Previously a disused quarry, the Te Puna Quarry Park is an enchanting oasis that draws visitors and locals alike in Tauranga. Built and maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers, this public park covers 32 hectares of roses, bromeliads, orchids, and rhododendrons, as well as gardens such as the Herb Garden, Mixed Ornamentals, the Fuschia Area, and the Butterfly Garden. among others. There are also over thirty artistic sculptures made of Hinuera stone, ponga (tree fern trunks) and pottery on permanent display. If exotic plants interest you, this world-class park is definitely worth a visit.

Go camping at McLaren Falls Park

Another immensely popular thing to do is to take a 10-minute drive from Tauranga to reach McLaren Falls Park. Adjacent to the eponymous Lake McLaren, the park is sprawled across 190 hectares and features a stunning waterfall and a beautifully curated garden. Holidaymakers go for numerous recreational activities, including kayaking, disc golfing, fishing, camping and bushwalks. The water track is wheelchair accessible and at night, the around the lake gets lit up by thousands of twinkling glowworms. We recommend booking a twilight kayaking tour to witness its full grandeur.

Eating Out in Tauranga

New Zealand’s cuisine is a tasty fusion of Maori, British, American and Asian cultures, among others.Some of the must-try items while you’re there include Hāngi, Whitebait Fritters, Crayfish, Meat Pie, Fish and Chips, Lolly Cake, Pavlova, Rewana Bread, and Hokey Pokey Ice cream.

The dining scene in Tauranga is always evolving with new restaurants and eateries popping up every now and then. From luxury diners to casual meals, the city offers it all. Here are some of our favourites:

Harbourside has great beach views and is a perfect place for modern fine dining. Whet your appetite with their freshly caught oysters before moving onto the seafood chowder - featuring a cocktail of salmon, prawns, mussels and calamari - for the main course. Based on the concept of a Japanese izakaya, Izakai Bar and Eatery is a cocktail bar and restaurant that you should visit with friends or on a date. We love their prawn paired with paua in gyozas and the hangi-style beef ramen.

Pizza lovers should make a beeline for The Freeport, which churns out delicious traditional Napoli-style pizza and other dishes like citrus-cured salmon with dill and capers. Macau is an Asian-inspired restaurant where you can order the banquet menu and relax knowing you’re in good hands. Their Penang beef cheek curry with lemongrass, peanuts and coconut or the san choi bao lamb with lettuce cups are likely to leave you a little hot and bothered. From the spice, of course.

Tauranga Transport

Airport

Tauranga Airport (TRG) serves the city of Tauranga. It has frequent flights from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Getting around

Getting around the city is fairly easy. Bayhopper Bus serves Tauranga and surrounding areas. Buses are available on all seven days and they connect all major shopping, dining and tourist spots.

A ferry system also runs between Salisbury Wharf in Mount Maunganui and The Strand in the CBD.

Most visitors travelling through New Zealand typically hire a car as it offers comfort, flexibility, and convenience. New Zealand not only has a great network of well-laid roads but the landscapes on the way are also incredibly picturesque. If you’re travelling in a large group, consider hiring a 7 seater or a 9 seater van. You can also do a one-way hire, which means that you can pick up your vehicle in one city – say Wellington – and drop it off in another – like Tauranga – before flying out. This would save you the hassle of having to drive it back.