Tauranga Travel Guide 2026 – Best Things to See & Do

Mauao — meaning "caught by the dawn" in Māori — is the volcanic cone that defines Tauranga's skyline and serves as the spiritual and physical heart of the local community. Standing 232 metres at the end of a narrow peninsula surrounded on three sides by ocean and harbour, Mauao is one of the most dramatically positioned summits in New Zealand and a relatively easy climb that rewards every effort with extraordinary views.

The main summit track takes about 45 minutes return via the steeper direct route or closer to 90 minutes via the gentler base track that circles the mountain. The base track is flat and takes about 45 minutes, passing surf beach on the ocean side and the sheltered harbour on the other. At the summit, views extend across the entire Bay of Plenty — from Whakaari/White Island's plume of steam in the east to Tauranga Harbour and the Coromandel Peninsula in the west.

At the base of Mauao, the hot saltwater pools open early morning and late evening, providing a civilised way to recover from the climb. The adjacent beach suburb has excellent cafés and restaurants opening onto the main street. The Mount is busiest in summer but worth visiting at any time of year.

Papamoa is a 19-kilometre stretch of uninterrupted Pacific Ocean beach running southeast from Mount Maunganui, and it is one of the finest surf beaches in the North Island. The consistent beach break produces waves suitable for surfers of all abilities, and the beach is wide enough that even on the busiest summer days it never feels crowded. Lifeguards patrol the main sections during summer.

Papamoa has developed into a substantial residential suburb — one of New Zealand's fastest-growing communities — and the beach is backed by a mix of holiday homes, apartments, and a small retail strip. Surfboard and bodyboard hire is available at the main access points. Fishing off the beach for kahawai and snapper is popular in the early morning and evening. The walk or cycle from Papamoa Beach back to Mount Maunganui along the beachfront pathway is one of the Bay of Plenty's best coastal routes — flat, scenic, and well-maintained throughout its length. During summer, the beach hosts regular volleyball competitions and evening bonfires.

McLaren Falls Park is Tauranga's finest natural reserve and one of the most beautiful waterfall parks in the North Island. Located 15 kilometres south of the city centre in the Wairoa River valley, the park encompasses the McLaren Falls themselves — a series of dramatic cascades flowing over ancient volcanic rocks into a deep pool — as well as Lake McLaren, extensive native plantings, and a network of walking and mountain biking trails through native bush.

The walk to the main falls from the car park takes about 20 minutes return and is suitable for all fitness levels. More ambitious walkers can continue on the longer Tūtāekurī Walk through mature kahikatea forest. Lake McLaren offers kayaking and swimming in summer. The park is particularly beautiful in summer when the pohutukawa trees on the banks of the gorge burst into vivid red flower, and in autumn when the mature exotic trees planted around the picnic areas provide excellent foliage colour. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout most of the park.

Waimarino Adventure Park on the shores of Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake), about 15 kilometres from Tauranga toward Rotorua, is one of the Bay of Plenty's best family attractions. The park combines a range of water activities on the stunning blue-green lake with jungle-gym style climbing structures, kayaks, paddleboards, and stand-up paddleboards for hire.

The lake itself is exceptional — fed by underground springs rather than surface runoff, the water is extraordinarily clear and has a distinctive blue-green colour that gives it its English name. Swimming in the lake is a genuine pleasure on warm days. The park operates kayak tours at various times of day and offers guided paddleboarding lessons suitable for beginners. The café on the lakefront is a pleasant spot for lunch. For those wanting to explore independently, the walking track around the lake (45 minutes) passes through mature native bush and passes the neighbouring Green Lake (Rotokākahi), which is tapu (sacred) and not accessible to visitors but visible from the track.

The Elms Mission House in central Tauranga is one of New Zealand's most significant historic sites — a small but perfectly preserved example of early colonial architecture and the only remaining Anglican mission complex in New Zealand. The house was built in 1847 by missionary Archdeacon Alfred Brown, who arrived at Tauranga in 1838 as part of the Church Missionary Society, and it remained in continuous family occupation for over 150 years until it was gifted to a charitable trust.

The grounds contain several historically significant structures, including the original library (1842), a tiny chapel, and mature garden plantings dating back to the mission era. Guided tours provide fascinating insight into the complex relationships between early missionaries and the local Māori population, including the events of the Gate Pā battle of 1864 — one of the most significant engagements of the New Zealand Wars, fought just blocks from the mission. The site operates guided tours several days per week; check ahead for current hours. Entry is by koha (donation).