Tauranga - Hell’s Gate vs Polynesian Spa

[LuckiePuris]

Looking for advice please on which of these two would be the best to visit? We have no children if that makes a difference.

 

Previously in 2009 we hired a car to be ready for us at Tauranga, to self drive to Rotorua. Is this still a feasible option, if allowing plenty of time to get back to the ship or is an escorted tour the better way to go?

 

Thank you!

[Bellies5]

In Feb 2020 we hired a car and drove to Wai-o-Tapu then afterwards to Matamata for the Hobbiton tour. We made it back to the ship with no issues. We hired through this company - https://www.ritepricerentals.co.nz/car-hire-tauranga/

Edited November 6, 2022 by Bellies5

[LuckiePuris]

On 11/7/2022 at 7:59 AM, Bellies5 said:

In Feb 2020 we hired a car and drove to Wai-o-Tapu then afterwards to Matamata for the Hobbiton tour. We made it back to the ship with no issues. We hired through this company - https://www.ritepricerentals.co.nz/car-hire-tauranga/

Thanks for the tip.

Was the car available at the port / easy to find?

Thanks!

[Aus Traveller]

We have hired a car a few times in Tauranga for the trip to Rotorua with no problems whatsoever. On each occasion the hire car or van was waiting outside the port gates and was very easy to find. At the end of the day, we were told to leave the car in the same area, lock it and leave the key with the security guard at the entrance to the wharf. We took photos of each side of the vehicle so we could prove (if necessary) that there was no damage. It wasn't necessary.

[Bellies5]

20 hours ago, LuckiePuris said:

Thanks for the tip.

Was the car available at the port / easy to find?

Thanks!

They met us within a very short walk of the port, then shuttle to their office for pickup. Same in reverse when dropping car off.