Discover Tauranga
Whatever you want for your holiday, Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) is ready and willing to bring it to life. Want to see a canyon full of glowworms? Want to learn to surf or wrangle a blokart? Want to shop at a farmers market then visit a brewery for a tasting paddle? Bring your vacation ambitions to Tauranga, Mount Maunganui or Whakatāne and let the fun begin.
About our flights to Tauranga
Air New Zealand offers non-stop domestic flights to Tauranga Airport from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, with connecting flights from regional centers. With all our airfares you can choose between Economy, Premium Economy, or Business Premier™ cabins. The scheduled length for Auckland to Tauranga flights is 40 minutes.
Where to go and what to see in the Bay of Plenty
Stretching from Waihī Beach in the west to Ōpōtiki in the east, Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) region is loved for its long white-sand beaches, sensational fruit and vegetables, massive range of outdoor adventures and cultural creativity, which you can experience as wonderful art and delectable food. Unless you just want to flop on the beach, we recommend you hire a car and do some exploring.
A coastal paradise of beaches and bays
Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, walker or sunbather, you'll find plenty of room to do your thing in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty). At the western end of the Bay, Waihī Beach is a relaxed seaside settlement with a stretch of gorgeous surf beach that's 10km long. There's another 100km ocean beach spanning from Mount Maunganui to Whakatāne, then Ōhope and Ōpōtiki beaches continue on the other side of the Whakatāne headland. All these fabulous ocean beaches have fine white sand and some are patrolled in summer.
Tauranga's inner harbour also provides plenty of scope for seaside activities. It's a place for sea kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, kite surfing and fishing. Or you can take a more leisurely approach to your holiday and enjoy picnics at places like Ōmokoroa, Bowentown and Pilot Bay.
More about beaches and coastal fun in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).
Great outdoorsy things to do
Clad in native forest, Mauao (aka 'the Mount') is open for outdoor fun every day. There's a 45 minute base walk or you can hike to the summit for long-range views along the coast and inland to the Kaimāī Range.
For a day away from the ocean, head inland to McLaren Falls Park, a popular spot for camping, kayaking, picnics and bush walks. There's a wide range of walking tracks, a beautiful waterfall, places to swim and glowworms after dusk. Papamoa Hills Regional Park is another beauty spot for hiking - there are several pā sites here, as well as a summit to conquer.
Biking is big in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty). There are leisurely cycle paths for trail riders and exciting challenges for mountain bikers. Favourite spots include Summerhill Trails, TECT All Terrain Park and Motu Trails. It's also easy to rent an electric bike for exploring Mount Maunganui and Tauranga.
More about Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty's) great outdoors.
Easy family adventures
Kids love visiting Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, and many of the great family things to do in the region are just as much fun for grownups.
If your family enjoys being on the water, there's an excellent choice of boat trips to consider. The longest cruises head out into the ocean, where there's a good chance of seeing penguins, seals, whales, orca and sharks. Some cruises even offer dolphin swimming, when conditions are right. For those who prefer calmer water, harbour cruises are an option. They offer the chance to disembark at Matakana Island or Ōmokoroa Peninsula.
Families with older children can discover the exhilaration of blokarting and drift trikes at BayStation. A blokart is like a windsurfer on wheels, while a drift cart is built to skid in a spectacular way around a specially-built track. Stand up paddle boarding is another fun activity for older kids - you can rent boards and get lessons at Pilot Bay in Mount Maunganui.
Other family activities in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) include glowworm kayaking, listening for kiwi in the wild and meeting the characters at the Hairy Maclary sculpture park. And at the end of any busy day, the whole family can relax at the Mount Hot Pools or Fernland Spa Thermal Mineral Springs.
Read more about family fun in Tauranga and Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).
Exploring the entire Bay of Plenty
Roaming around Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) in a rental car is highly recommended. It means you'll see more than just the attractions close to your accommodation, including some as far afield as Waihī Beach and Whakatāne.
Use your mobility to check out weekend farmers markets, which will furnish you with all the picnicking and snacking supplies you need. And nominate a sober driver to take you to a couple of the bay's fine breweries, like the Rising Tide Brewhouse in Tauranga. However, if nobody wants to do the driving, there's a Brewbus tour running three days a week from the Tauranga.
Food experiences beyond the Mount and Tauranga city should definitely be explored. There's a cider brewery restaurant in Te Puna and Mills Reef Winery in Bethlehem, just to mention a couple.
More about exploring Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).
Top things to do in and around Tauranga
- Hike up Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
The Bay of Plenty's biggest icon is the dormant volcanic mountain at the tip of the Mount Maunganui peninsula. Hiking to the top is a must-do and a great way to get acquainted with the region. - Discover some of New Zealand's best beaches
Mount Maunganui beach has been the number one NZ beach on TripAdvisor for five years running. It's followed closely by Papamoa Beach at #4 and Ōhope Beach at #7. - Eat kiwifruit and avocados
Two of the biggest horticultural crops in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) are kiwifruit and avocados. You can buy them cheaply in bags from roadside stalls. Or visit Kiwifruit Country in Paengaroa for an inside look at an idyllic kiwifruit orchard and try their amazing kiwifruit ice-cream. - Kayak to see glowworms
Kayak on tranquil Lake McLaren to find a secret canyon lit with native glowworms. - Soak at the Mount hot pools
There are many geothermal hot pool complexes around Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty), but the pools at the base of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) have something extra special - hot salt water. - Learn to blokart
Like a windsurfer on wheels, a blokart lets you learn sailing skills while you zoom along the ground. Huge fun! - Swim with dolphins
It's estimated that there are more than 40,000 dolphins in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty). When conditions are right, dolphin cruises let you get in to the water for close encounters. - Kayaking on the Wairoa River
Enjoy a tranquil 10-kilometre paddle on Tauranga's biggest river. You can stop along the way for snacks and photos. - Learn to surf at the Mount
If learning to surf is on your bucket list, Mount Maunganui's a great place to make it happen.
Keep exploring Tauranga
Essential information
Best time to go
Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and the wider Bay of Plenty make up one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand. Daily maximum temperatures are around 23°C in summer and 15°C in winter. Many of New Zealand's best beaches are in this area, so it can be really busy in summer. Spring and autumn are a good idea if you want to avoid crowds. Winter often produces beautiful blue sky days.
How much will it cost?
Not including air travel and hotels, you should allow about NZD $100 to $150 a day per person for food and entertainment.
Visas
You might need a visa to holiday in New Zealand, depending on where you're from and how long you're staying. See the visa-waiver list.
| Flight route | Flight time* | Stops** | Days | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL) | 12h 50m | Non-stop | M,T,W,T,F,S,S | Find flights |
| San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland (AKL) | 12h 55m | Non-stop | T,W,F,S,S | Find flights |
| Houston (IAH) to Auckland (AKL) | 14h 45m | Non-stop | M,T,T,F,S,S | Find flights |
| Chicago (ORD) to Auckland (AKL) | 16h 10m | Non-stop | W,F,Su | Find flights |
| Honolulu (HNL) to Auckland (AKL) | 9h 5m | Non-stop | M,T,W,T,F,Sa | Find flights |
| Newark (EWR) to Auckland (AKL) | 12h 40m | Non-stop | M,Th,Sa | Find flights |
| Auckland (AKL) to Tauranga (TRG) | 40m | Non-stop | M,T,W,T,F,S,S | Find flights |
Cheap flights to Tauranga
Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL)
San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland (AKL)
Houston (IAH) to Auckland (AKL)
Chicago (ORD) to Auckland (AKL)
Honolulu (HNL) to Auckland (AKL)
Newark (EWR) to Auckland (AKL)
Auckland (AKL) to Tauranga (TRG)
*The above table reflects sample flight duration and days of frequency. Please check our flight timetable for specific dates before booking.
