Tauranga suggestions, on board Princess Dawn 11 January

[Maple30]

We'd like some suggestions for Tauranga. They seem to offer a lot of kayaking tours in the area, but hubby isn't interested. Has anyone done the Hobbiton tour? Viator has one, but we're not really fans of the movie, but love beautiful scenery. Are there local tours available when the ship docks? Is there anything to see from the port? Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

[avalon007]

The main destination out of Tauranga is the famous Rotorua thermal region.

 

We did a local tour there with Archers tours - Jim Archer is excellent & has extensive knowledge of local & Maori history.

 

I can highly recommend them.

 

We have also done Hobbiton from Auckland on a ships tour, it was a good day out & as long as you have at least seen the movie/s it will having meaning to you. It included lunch which was simple but nice & a free drink each at the lovely little pub that is part of the Hobbiton village.

 

You can also visit hot springs for bathing in Tauranga.

[aussielozzie18]

We booked a private tour before the cruise and they offered a full refund if you did not dock at Tauranga for any reason. We also did the thermal area, kiwi360, viewed the rapids and visited a scenic lake and had lunch by the lake.

[Aus Traveller]

After you disembark you will walk through a tourist information tent where tours are available. The most popular is to Rotorua which we can recommend.:)

[sun-set]

We'd like some suggestions for Tauranga. They seem to offer a lot of kayaking tours in the area, but hubby isn't interested. Has anyone done the Hobbiton tour? Viator has one, but we're not really fans of the movie, but love beautiful scenery. Are there local tours available when the ship docks? Is there anything to see from the port? Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

 

A walk around Mount Maunganui which you will see on entering the harbour is something not to be missed and if you feel fit enough the climb to the top is also worth it. The beach is also nice with a land projection for more views, there is also a hill to climb between the dock and beach.

 

Maunganui also has a good tourist shopping area.

[Hobart18]

We'd like some suggestions for Tauranga. They seem to offer a lot of kayaking tours in the area, but hubby isn't interested. Has anyone done the Hobbiton tour? Viator has one, but we're not really fans of the movie, but love beautiful scenery. Are there local tours available when the ship docks? Is there anything to see from the port? Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

Hi,

We booked a tour through Princess online through our booking for Hobbitville, from Tauranga, it cost approx. $200 per person which lasted about 5 hours, these excursions were booked out early so if you are interested I would go online through your booking and check out the excursions.

Tauranga is one of our favourite places in New Zealand, you can get great fish and chips in the main street, the fish is (Hoke) freshly caught daily.

They have great shopping in the main street, it is also a good place just to sit on the beach and watch life go by. If you are a lady who dresses in size 16 and above, they have great shops for ladies who require larger fittings, they have great styles and fabrics.

 

Regards,:):)

[whimsy7]

if you are not interested in visiting Rotorua, then spend time visiting Maunganui itself which has a nice shopping strip.

we found it more interesting to browse around the shops of Maunganui than Tauranga.

on our second visit to Maunganui, we hiked up Mount Maunganui....it is steep in parts, there is a path/trail and steps in some places.

the view back to the port is lovely. it took us about 45 minutes to get to the top

[Russell21]

The trip into Tauranga is worth it just for the Fish & Chips at the Blue place. Ask anyone there they all know it, wife says she'd do the trip again just for another feed there.

[suey]

We always hire a car/van and drive to Roturua plenty to do there

[Hawka]

i did a ship tour to the maori village that does the hungi lunch as well as see all the traditional things they do

[Aus Traveller]

i did a ship tour to the maori village that does the hungi lunch as well as see all the traditional things they do

That is Te Puia. I don't normally like the hungi meals but that one was really good. I have never had such tender and tasty lamb.:)