With a reputation as one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing cities―Tauranga mixes urban innovations with a thirst for adventure. Māori historical sites, art museums, and a dynamic foodie scene pull in the crowds, but some of the best things to do in Tauranga take place outdoors. The city is the cultural and geographic heart of the Bay of Plenty, making it the ideal basecamp for hiking Mount Maunganui, white-water rafting on the Wairoa River, or surfing, kayaking, and kitesurfing at the many beaches.
Nestled in the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga boasts one of the warmest climates on the North Island, but the sunny weather comes with its fair share of rain. With an average of 56 inches (1,426 millimeters) of annual rainfall—about 2.5 times that of London—it’s one of New Zealand’s rainiest cities. The wettest months are April and May. For sunny beach weather, make a summer (December-February) visit, or time your trip for the annual National Jazz Festival around Easter.
While Tauranga’s compact business district can be explored on foot, you’ll need transportation to see the suburbs of Mount Maunganui, Papamoa, and the Waimapu Estuary. The most scenic way to get around is to rent a bike or e-bike, and Tauranga has more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of bike paths, including the Omokoroa Coastal Trail. Alternatively, hop on the Baybus, which links downtown with other sites around the Bay.
Tauranga’s outdoor activities will work up an appetite, but if you also crave a post-effort beer, check out the city’s brew pubs. Microbreweries and craft beer bars have been popping up around the city in recent years, and there’s a Brewbus offering tasting tours. Local favorites include The Rising Tide, which serves Mount Brewing Co. brews, and The Island Brewery, which has a small but varied selection of IPAs and stouts brewed on-site.
