TAURANGA MOANA
Tauranga means ‘place of anchorage’ in te reo Māori, thanks to its outstanding harbour. This is New Zealand’s fifth-largest city and it’s renowned for its relaxed outdoor lifestyle. With long white sandy beaches and plentiful sunshine, it’s a great place to unwind and recharge, but there are also plenty of exciting activity options and memorable must-see locations.
Conquering the uphill walk to the summit of the iconic Mauao (Mount Maunganui) is often at the top of the list. Mount Main Beach and Pilot Bay, at the base of Mauao, offer contrasting coastal experiences – an ever-changing surf beach or a picturesque harbour shoreline. There are popular, easily accessible boardwalks for a stroll on both sides of the peninsula.
The Mount Hot Pools provide an opportunity to soak or play in one of the few hot ocean water complexes in the world. It’s also worth visiting the nearby boutique shops and cafés and wandering down the village’s main street.
Further down the coast, you’ll find stunning Pāpāmoa Beach, which is complemented by a large number of retail and eatery options. The Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Park is also well worth the walk – it has an interesting history and offers stunning views.
The centre of Tauranga offers some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. Many impressive events are regularly hosted here, such as the National Jazz Festival and the Flavours of Plenty Festival. The waterfront playground, which includes statues of Hairy Maclary and his friends, is a hit with the kids, while the more adventurous of any age can perform their best bomb (jump) off the adjacent wharf.
Further inland, you’ll find The Historic Village, which offers an eclectic range of creative art spaces. There’s also an enticing range of scenic trails throughout the region for anyone who wants to walk, bike, and explore.
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