Top Tours & Activities in Tauranga

On our customised Private Tour you'll enjoy a fun and informative tour with an experienced local guide showcasing the iconic Mt Maunganui, gorgeous sandy beaches, affluent homes, then we gradually ascend the central volcanic plateau to Rotorua stopping at a Kiwi farm where you'll be amazed at how this locally economically important plant is grown. In Rotorua we visit the iconic venue - Whakarewarewa Maori village (incl. a slick 30 minute performance of unique harmonious song/dance by members of the local tribe, a walk through a mystical geothermally active wetland, bubbling hot mudpools and springs and view some iconic geysers) Then we drive to the nearby holiday lakes of okareka and tikitapu/blue (and possibly Tarawera if time allows), Stunning photo opportunities abound here, plus we take a quick easy trek into a grove of NZ native forest...tranquil, serene and unique. Redwoods forest and the dynamic rapids at Okere falls are two more options, again if time allows.

Experience the magic of our orchard and see firsthand how seasonal practices keep our avocados at their best. Uncover why this superfood has such a devoted following and treat yourself to a tasting of inventive avocado dishes that highlight its unique flavor. Ideal for avocado lovers and those keen to dive into local food culture, this adventure promises excitement and discovery for visitors of all ages.

Discover more than just Rotorua’s famous geothermal wonders. With a private guide, you’ll explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, stroll through historic Government Gardens, enjoy a thermal foot soak at Kuirau Park, and visit cultural treasures like the Te Arawa Whare Waka. Along the way, you’ll see hidden gems including the Kaituna River Falls, kiwifruit orchards in Te Puke, and New Zealand’s most iconic beach at Mount Maunganui. A perfect blend of nature, culture, and local flavor—all in one unforgettable day.

Kia Ora! Welcome to V8 Trike Tours, New Zealand Gold Qualmark Operator ***** 2020 - 2025 Traveler's Choice Award - Top 10% Attraction Worldwide! As seen on Travel Guides NZ · TV Programme 2021 Join us for a unique and thrilling experience on a V8 Chevrolet trike as we explore the beautiful Bay of Plenty. Designed and built in New Zealand, our awesome trikes are powered by 5700cc Chevrolet motors. It’s the ultimate in power and excitement. With a low centre of gravity, our trikes provide a smooth ride with an impressive grip around corners. Suitable for ages 2+ and all abilities including disabled. Registered as a car with NZTA and not a motorbike therefore seatbelts are compulsory not helmets. Suitable for age 2+ and all abilities, special needs, disabled or those with mobility issues. Note: price is per vehicle not per person so a max of 4 people can take the tour.

Cruise Ship Day Tour. Go First Class - Exclusive Small Group Private tour - max 4 people. Visit Middle Earth and the enchanting world of J.R.R Tolkien’s famous stories. When you visit New Zealand you cannot miss this opportunity to experience this magical tour of the Hobbiton & Lord Of The Rings Movie Set. You may not come back this way again. Nestled amid lush rolling farmland in a 12-acre valley is the Hobbit Village on the shores of the picturesque Long Lake and The Watermill. Step inside the humble Hobbit family home. These Hobbit Holes offer a glimpse into the charming dwellings of Hobbits going about their daily lives in the Shire See Bilbo's house, The Water Mill, Green Dragon, the Arched Bridge, 44 Hobbit houses, gardens, wandering pathways, The Party Tree, lakes. Listen to the wonderful stories and tales of Gandalf, Frodo, and the villagers. If you haven't read the books or seen the movies you will still love it .... It’s a piece of history, and it’s magical.

Luxury Private Tour: Max 4 people. Our wonderful adventure begins as soon as I pick you up outside the port gates. I love seeing my fellow travelers fascinated by their experience of this amazing movie set where their favorite stories & characters were brought to life. Stand under the party tree, see all your favorites, and hear behind-the-scenes stories as you walk the meandering tracks past the Hobbit holes, Bilbo's House, Bag End, Gandalf's Cutting & The Mill. If you haven't seen the movie or read the books you still love it "Te Puia" Geysers - Rotorua Heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity and a center for Māori history and culture. See kiwi birds, Māori greenstone and wood carvers at work. Surrounded by a steaming volcanic landscape, see and feel the heat of boiling mud, and endlessly simmering hot pools, the thrilling sight of "Pohutu" geyser erupting boiling water and steam 100 ft high an amazing display of force. A full day of fun & adventure!

Cruise Ship Day Tour. Go First Class - Small Group Private Tour - Max 4 people “Return to Ship” Guarantee. On board, On Time Ready To Sail ! Traverse the worlds longest canopy tree walk. Redwood forest giants, towering up to 75 feet are complemented by the forest floor's sweeping native silver ferns. If you are not a nature enthusiast you will enjoy the stunning beauty from a birds-eye view. Navigate the 700-meter trail, pause on one of the 55 eco-suspended bridges & platforms to take a peek at the wonderful sight's surrounding you. "Te Puia Geysers" heartland of New Zealand's geothermal activity, Māori history & culture. See the historic sights of pre - European village, nocturnal Kiwi bird, wood & greenstone carvers at work. A steaming volcanic landscape, you'll see & feel the heat of boiling mud, hot water pools, & steam vents. Feel the force of "Pōhutu" geyser an awe-inspiring sight of the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere erupting boiling water & steam.

This authentic experience will provide interesting insights into the seasonal activities that keep the orchard thriving and make our avocados so delicious. You'll discover why this superfood is adored by so many. To top it off, you'll tantalise your tastebuds with some delicious guacamole and avocado ice cream, a true celebration of this versatile fruit. This experience is suitable for visitors young and old who have a love of avocados, or a desire to connect with local culture and food production in this region.

A half day cruise on our spacious 18 metre vessel with 360° outdoor views. Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching. Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand. Close-up encounters with seasonal marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca.
 Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife. Photos of a lifetime!

Exclusive tour taking you to a private Kiwifruit and Avocado orchard. We provide you with a VIP experience, including modern European vehicles with snacks and refreshments during the day. We explore some of the best Tauranga destinations, offering a truly unique, informative, and special journey for all our guests. Visiting an organic orchard is unique alone; however, this orchard is operated by one of the industry leaders in the New Zealand growers network. A picturesque setting with our local 190 Hectare Park and a visit to our historical village make this day a special Tauranga excursion with the best bits on offer.

Cruise Ship day Tour. Go First Class - Exclusive Small Group Private Tour: Max 4 people New Zealand's 2 most spectacular Geothermal Parks. See kiwifruit & avocado orchards, lakes district, lush farmland, waterfalls, and pine forests. Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland. A self-guided tour following demarcated tracks through a stunning variety of volcanic phenomena. See naturally colored hot and cold pools, the world-famous Champagne Pool, massive craters and New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool formed over thousands of years of continuous volcanic activity. Te Puia Geysers. Heartland of Rotorua's geothermal activity & Maori culture. Experience 'Pohutu' geyser the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere in action rumbling away as it erupts boiling water & steam up to 100 feet. An awesome sight. See & smell boiling mud pools, hot water pools, steam vents, a steaming volcanic landscape. See the famous Māori Haka, carving & weaving skills. Plenty to see and do on this tour.

Join our local driver guides for a fun filled good old Kiwi Day out! Start the day as strangers and end as friends is our motto. We are sure you will have a fabulous day out and get to experience a "taste of Rotorua". Join us in experiencing Te Puia which is home to Pohutu Geyser which erupts multiple times in a day, bubbling mud, the kiwi conservation centre and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where you will see the craftsmen/women at work weaving, wood and bone/ponamu carving. Dine in Pataka Kai for lunch. Next stop Redwoods Treewalk which is a breathtaking view of our Redwood Forest from above on a 700 metre track suspended amongst the forest. Venture into a breathtaking 70-metre eco cave at Redwoods Glowworms - filled with dramatic rock formations and a dazzling display of over 5,000 glowworms. Lastly a soak at Hells Gate in the mud bath followed by a mineral pool which is great for soothing any aches and pains. We look forward to welcoming you to our little piece of New Zealand.

Relax sit back to take in interesting and informative commentary about the harbour, region, local legends and history. The ancient Maori Legend of Mount Maunganui is retold as we cruise past the icons base. See the Statue of Tangaroa as he guards the Harbour entrance & learn of his place in Maori folk law. Cross the entrance of Te Awanui, (Tauranga harbour). Tuck into the picturesque shores of Matakana Island, the third largest island of the north. Continue through Tauranga harbours two inner islands, natural history, and orchards. Through the western channel to Sulphur point, and its relation to our active volcano. Tauranga port and industry working up close, with interesting facts on exports, history and ships.

- Learn to surf at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand’s most iconic and beginner-friendly beach. - Enjoy small group sizes (max 8) for personalised guidance from expert, certified instructors. - Perfect for beginners, with step-by-step lessons in a safe, fun, and supportive environment. - All equipment provided, including surfboard and wetsuit—just bring swimwear and a towel. - Gain ocean awareness and master essential techniques, from paddling to standing on your board. - Create unforgettable memories as you connect with the ocean and ride your first waves. - Experience the thrill of surfing while surrounded by stunning coastal scenery.

Why Choose Our Gin Lab Experience? Personalised Gin Creation: Design a 500ml bottle of gin tailored to your tastebuds, selecting from an extensive range of botanicals, many of which are cultivated in our on-site permaculture garden. Educational Distillery Tour: Gain insights into our sustainable distillation process and discover how we harness the power of plants to craft our luxury gins and liqueurs. Award-Winning Tastings: After your session, enjoy a complimentary tasting at our Cellar Door, sampling our award-winning spirits, including New Zealand's Best Botanical Spirit. 36 x 5 star Reviews on Google... “What an amazing time we had! Our hosts were so welcoming and informative- the gin was delicious and there was plenty of it to try! All 3 of us learnt a lot about tasting notes and pairings, to improve our future gin drinking experiences." “A must-do for gin lovers. The setting is beautiful, the staff are knowledgeable, and the gin is outstanding.”

Heading inland from Tauranga, you will pass through the beachside town of Mount Maunganui on your way to a 12 acre sheep farm in Matamata. This farm is one that Peter Jackson fell in love with, and we now know as Middle Earth. The Lord of the Rings director picked a spot of lush, rolling, green hills to create the Hobbiton set. Enjoy a guided tour through the hobbit holes, Bagshot Row, the Mill, the famous bridge and finish up the tour with a beverage at the Green Dragon Inn. Even if you are not a Lord of the Rings fan, the landscape of the area is magical enough, and you will get to see a working New Zealand sheep and beef farm. Soak up the atmosphere of the Kaimai Ranges and don't forget to grab some movie set souvenirs on your way out. The remaining hours of the total hour duration of the tour is allotted to travel time.

A half day cruise on our spacious 18 meter vessel with 360° outdoor views. Comfortable fully enclosed seating downstairs and a large open sun-deck for wildlife watching. Some of the best marine diversity in New Zealand. Close-up encounters with seasonal marine wildlife – penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, sunfish, school fish, seabirds, sharks, turtles and orca. Onboard commentary and references with facts on the Bay and local marine wildlife. Photos of a lifetime!

Cruise Ship Day Tour. Go First Class - Exclusive Small Group Private Tour: Max 4 people Our adventure starts when I pick you up from the Port gates. Visit Mount Manganui's best surf beach, walk to beautiful Moturiki Island. See water falls, geothermal activity, boiling mud & hot water pools, kiwifruit orchard, lakes district, farmland & forest plantations. Rotorua the heartland New Zealand's geothermal activity and Maori culture. See the famed hot spots, highlights & hidden secrets as your tour guide takes you from place to place, I know the area like the back of my hand. Lunch at Skyline Gondola Café (cost not included in tour price) We take a short walk through the giant 75 ft high, century old Redwoods Forest. Visit Kuirau geothermal park, boiling mud, hot water pools, steam vents and visit a Māori ancestral house. Explore Rotorua lake front, hot spots and wonderful Govt Gardens, Racheal's boiling hot water pool and an architectural gem, the Old Spa Bath House.

Cruise Ship Day Tour. Go First Class - Exclusive Small Group Private Tour: Max 4 people. Your adventure begins when I pick you up from the port gates. See the best hot spots, highlights & hidden secrets, Mount Maunganui surf beach, pass through picturesque countryside, dairy farms, Kiwi fruit orchards, pine plantations & lakes district as we make our way to Rotorua. We take an easy stroll through the Redwoods Forest under awesome 75-feet high Redwoods & beautiful giant tree ferns forest. Arriving at "Te Puia" Geysers a steaming volcanic landscape we are greeted with a fierce-some welcome by Māori warriors. Your Māori guide takes you on this amazing tour as they explains the wonderful history of the geothermal activity. See the native kiwi bird, wood & greenstone carvers working in traditional ways. Surrounded by, boiling mud, hot water pools, & the thrilling sight of "Pohutu" geyser erupting boiling water & steam 100 ft an amazing display of force. Plenty to see & enjoy on this tour.

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide. With a professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city while hearing fascinating facts and legends. Why is Tauranga known as a lifestyle and tourism destination? Tauranga has many outlying islands and reefs, which make it a notable tourist destination for traveling scuba divers and marine enthusiasts. You will be surprised how many stories are in hidden streets, buildings, and corners of Tauranga. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. It is perfect for people visiting the city for the first time and who want to get the most out of it. * A local and charismatic guide will guide you. * You will hear the stories and legends of the city. * You will visit charming places.