Shore Excursion: Local Tasting Tour from Tauranga
Recommended by 95% of travelers
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Tauranga, New Zealand
- 5 to 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the prestigious food and drink purveyors of Tauranga and Karangahake when your ship pulls into port. Sip and savor a diverse array of tastings and two award-winning wineries. This shore excursion includes pickup and drop-off by minivan.
- Tauranga shore excursion with food-and-drink tastings
- Discover local purveyors with a driver/guide
- Port pickup and drop-off by minivan
- Small-group tour ensures personal service
What's Included
- Wine, Beer or cider or gin tastings
- Driver/guide
- LunchA sumptuous anti pasto platter will accompany your wine tasting
- Cocktail or coffee & dessert
- Time permitting, we stop to explain the kiwifruit industry & also a short walk into the Okere Falls
- Additional food and drinks not specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We pick up from the Port of Tauranga, the Tauranga airport & local accommodation. At the Port of Tauranga we will meet you at the port gate; your name will be held up on a placard. This tour does not operate on Monday.
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 03/31/2021 - 04/27/2027
Tuesday - Sunday : 12:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Itinerary
Start your shore excursion with pick up from the Port of Tauranga and travel by minivan to nearby to the picturesque Karangahake Gorge. Your departure can be adjusted to accommodate variations in ship arrival time.
Set off, traveling north through scenic countryside, toward a boutique winery located in the Karangahake Gorge. Receive a presentation about the vineyard and wine-making techniques before taking part in a wine-tasting session, accompanied by a sumptuous food platter.
Then, hop back aboard your transport towards the wine Portfolio, home to the prestigious award-winning wines of Leveret Estate & Mills Reef Wineries. Here, sample more New Zealand varietals, learn about the island's terroir, and discover iconic wine-styles from the country.
Finally, return to Tauranga for a delicious dessert and a cocktail at the boutique Clarence Hotel. The hotel stands within the walls of a beautifully-restored building which was formerly the historic Tauranga Post Office.
We then return you to ship-side (or to local accommodation) via what we claim is the best beach in the Southern Hemisphere.
Set off, traveling north through scenic countryside, toward a boutique winery located in the Karangahake Gorge. Receive a presentation about the vineyard and wine-making techniques before taking part in a wine-tasting session, accompanied by a sumptuous food platter.
Then, hop back aboard your transport towards the wine Portfolio, home to the prestigious award-winning wines of Leveret Estate & Mills Reef Wineries. Here, sample more New Zealand varietals, learn about the island's terroir, and discover iconic wine-styles from the country.
Finally, return to Tauranga for a delicious dessert and a cocktail at the boutique Clarence Hotel. The hotel stands within the walls of a beautifully-restored building which was formerly the historic Tauranga Post Office.
We then return you to ship-side (or to local accommodation) via what we claim is the best beach in the Southern Hemisphere.
1
Port of Tauranga Ltd
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
The Rising Tide
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
3
New Zealand State Highway 36
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Volcanic Hills Winery
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
State Highway 33
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Salinity Restaurant & Bar
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
7
Mt Maunganui Main Beach
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Minimum age is 18 years
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Alice_H
This was the best wine and tasting tour in all of New Zealand! Paul was a fantastic host. There was just the four of us, my husband, myself and a friend whom we met on this cruise. Paul drove us all over Tauranga and even around Roturuo. We had the best wine selections and the final stop was at Salinity, a marina restaurant near the cruise port. We had the best desert ever and I chose a very satisfying salted caramel martini as my drink. Paul entertained us for around 5 1/2 hours with informative stories about Tauranga and New Zealand. I highly recommend this tour as it was honestly the best tour of all our many New Zealand tours.
Reviews
4.8
based on 80 reviews
Alice_H, Mar 2026
This was the best wine and tasting tour in all of New Zealand! Paul was a fantastic host. There was just the four of us, my husband, myself and a friend whom we met on this cruise. Paul drove us all over Tauranga and even around Roturuo. We had the best wine selections and the final stop was at Salinity, a marina restaurant near the cruise port. We had the best desert ever and I chose a very satisfying salted caramel martini as my drink. Paul entertained us for around 5 1/2 hours with informative stories about Tauranga and New Zealand. I highly recommend this tour as it was honestly the best tour of all our many New Zealand tours.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for your comments. Paul thoroughly enjoyed his day with you, so we're glad that it was a good experience for you too. We appreciate that you took the time to write this review. Reviews help us to ensure that what we offer is relevant to ou++++r clients requirements.
Sheila_S, Feb 2026
A good overview of the area of Tauranga. Loved kiwi seeing. Wine tasting and waterfalls! Great tour guide
Sherry_A, Dec 2025
Paul, from Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters, was our driver and guide. Our ship was a little late arriving so we communicated using the Viator app to provide our status. Paul was very accommodating. This was a private tour so it was just my husband and me. The car was new and very comfortable. The tour was exactly as described in the Viator description. There was a large selection of beer, cider and gin for the first tasting so we were able to select what we each liked. The tasting room had a view of the brewing equipment and Paul walked us through the process. It was very interesting.
The wine tasting was in a restaurant that is part of complex called Skyline Rotorua which also provides activities such as a zip-line, mountain biking and luge rides. There were great views of the valley from the restaurant and from the gondola on the way up and down. We tasted several good wines from the Volcanic Hills winery (note that, as described in the tour, this is a tasting, not a visit to the winery or vineyards). We were lucky to be there when the owner was there and enjoyed visiting with him and gaining his perspective of the wine industry. Our favourite wine was the rosé and we bought a couple of bottles. The charcuterie board that we shared was very tasty, especially the chutney! It complemented the wines very well
Our last stop was at a marina for a cocktail and dessert. It was a pretty spot, not far from our ship.
Along the way, Paul provided information about New Zealand industries and culture. We made a few short stops to see a beautiful beach, a kiwi plantation, and a lovely waterfall where people were white water rafting.
We enjoyed this tour very much. We also felt it was good value as it included the tasting fees, drinks and food, and the gondola ride. We definitely recommend this tour with Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write this detailed review. We really appreciate your comments & Paul thoroughly enjoyed your company
Judy_K, Nov 2025
Paul was a fantastic travel guide. We learned so much about the area. Also he showed us a kiwi orchard which wasn’t on the itinerary. It was a fabulous day.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're so pleased the day was to your liking & hope the rest of your cruise went well. Thank you for taking the time to write this excellent review.
Daniel_H, Oct 2025
Great tasting experience in Tauranga with Paul. He was an excellent host, and despite the small tour size, had a header in the van so everyone could hear his island commentary. Stated with a beer/cider/gin tasting with a “flight” of 5 samples you choose, a winery sample on a mountain accessible via gondola, and back in town to a dessert with coffee or cocktail. All tastings were fabulous, and mixed between Paul’s tour and commentary about the island. Great activity for a cruise port stop!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're glad you enjoyed your tour & the tastings involved. Thank you for your kind comments. We appreciate you taking the time to write this great review.
Lisa_H, Oct 2025
We had a great time on our tour. Paul met us at the port and we headed out for a brief tour of Tauranga. We stopped at the beach before heading for a beer tasting at Rising Tide. Then off to Rotorua for our ride up the Skyway and a wine tasting. Then back to the city for a delicious cocktail and dessert.
Throughout the whole tour Paul shared great information about Tauranga that gave us insight into the area.
We definitely recommend the tour for visitors.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. Paul always enjoys the company of lovely people and showing our country off to visitors.
Randy_R, May 2025
On this tour you get see a lot that is not included in the description making it a great value. We saw a lot of Tauranga and the surrounding country side with stops for beer, seltzer and wine tastings. The wine tasting is at the top of a ski lift with an unbelievable view of the surrounding country side. The owner of the winery and vineyard conducts the tasting and provides an entertaining dialogue and exceptional explanation of the differences between NZ, Australian and American wines and the reasons why. Also make a quick stop to see how kiwi are grown.
Dianne_T, Mar 2025
Excellent value for money, exceeded expectations great operator. Picked us up from the port with no hassle’s
DonnAllan_T, Mar 2025
Paul not only knows the area, because he was born and raised in the area. We learned a lot about the history of Tauranga, saw some beautiful homes and beaches, as well as some white water rafters. He also really knows his wine! The beer tasting at a local brewery was also fun. I would have preferred going to another winery in lieu of having a cocktail at the marina. We would definitely have Paul guide us again!
Edward_C, Mar 2025
The drive to the wine tasting location is 1 hour each way. The tour guide did a great job of information about the tour and environment.
Marty_S, Mar 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. Paul was very informative regarding the island and it's history. The brewery was very good, the winery and it's views spectacular and the deserts and cocktails delicious.
kenmriley, Feb 2025
Nice trip, Paul was a knowledgeable guide, a little too much time on the road as the vans air-con wasn’t great in the hot weather.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
We had the air conditioning fixed (we thought) a couple of weeks ago. It will be going back in to be looked at immediately! We're glad you enjoyed Paul's company. He enjoyed being with you too.
Debra_T, Feb 2025
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. He showed us around Tauranga before heading to the distillery.
However, there are no wineries open close to Tauranga any more so we had to drive to Rotorua. We picked this tour specifically because not a lot of driving was involved. We were not totally disappointed though as we were taken to the tasting room for Volcanic Hills Winery overlooking the Rotorua lake. To get there we had to use a gondola. Once up there we were treated to a tasting of about 5 different wines and an excellent charcuterie board lunch. The stop on the way back for cocktails and afternoon tea was glorious.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write this comprehensive review. We're glad that, despite the travel-time involved, you found the venues to your liking. We hope the rest of your cruise goes well.
Judith_G, Dec 2024
Paul was an absolutely wonderful guide. Explanations of what we were seeing were very thorough, understandable, and entertaining as well. His background in the wine business helped explain and clarify several of our wine tastings.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Paul thinks he's really fortunate to work in an industry where he meets lovely people & shares his passion for wine & our local region. Thanks so much for taking the time to write this review.
HERBERT_M, Dec 2024
Great day with Paul fabulous driver really good tour. Highly recommend this tour. Winery and beer tasting were both very enjoyable. Last stop cocktails and sweets were amazing.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you very much. We appreciate your kind words. This tour has been changed a little from our previous tasting tour, so it's good to get feed-back so we can ensure customer satisfaction with what we offer.
Benjamin_D, May 2024
Our guide Paul was very knowledgeable and his tasting tour was no slouch! At the end of the tour we were all well-fed! We started with a local brewery for a full flight tasting then on to a full menu lunch. After lunch we proceeded to a local winery to sample several of their wines and finally completed the tour with a stop for a full dessert and another drink. Paul's experience with the wine industry was apparent and his knowledge of the area extensive. This was an excellent small group tour and I highly recommend it!
Rita_S, Apr 2024
Paul did a great job driving our group around. Learned about kiwi plants, went to a brewery, had lunch at a great restaurant. did a wine tasting and stopped for dessert and coffee. Not much to do in port so this was a pleasant tour and Paul took care of us all and passed on his knowledge.
Nicolette_C, Apr 2024
Paul was such an enjoyable guide. We loved the “extra” side trip to the Kiwi Orchard. The brewery was great, the lunch delicious, wine fabulous, and the dessert/cocktail finish decadent!
Joyce_D, Mar 2024
Paul is a great guide! Each experience was high quality and I highly recommend the tour! He is a wine expert and his knowledge really makes the tour special. The food tastings were superb.
Cheryle_W, Mar 2024
Excellent tour! Loved the beer/spirits tasting along with the wine tasting. Gave us a great overall taste of Tauranga! Edibles were delicious as well. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable. Loved it!
Melanie_S, Mar 2024
The tour operator, Paul, was so much fun. He made the excursion very interesting and informative. The beer, food, wine, cocktails, and deserts were all fabulous. The scenery was beautiful and the commentary very educational. I'd highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Cathy_E, Feb 2024
This is a great guided tour. Paul did a great job showing us around. Brewery, lunch, Winery and dessert was outstanding.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thanks, Cathy. We're so pleased you enjoyed your experience of our local venues. Paul really enjoys sharing his passion for both wine, in particular, & our local area. He also enjoys the lovely people he meets!
Dianne_C, Feb 2024
We had a wonderful tour with Paul. All three stops were just great! His wine knowledge was outstanding and everyone in our group learned something new. Thank you for a fantastic day and sharing your home of Tauranga!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you for your review. We're so glad you enjoyed your day with Paul. He enjoyed your company & input too.
Maureen_A, Feb 2024
We were met by Paul who gave us a very memorable tour that we thoroughly enjoyed. Paul was very experienced with the local surroundings and especially with the many NZ wines.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you very much for your review. Paul thinks he has one of the best jobs in the world - talking about the area he loves, the industry about which he is passionate & being accompanied by lovely people.
Susan_B, Jan 2024
We were picked up at the port for a memorable day with Paul our driver/guide. What a great day we had with a fun group of people. Paul is extremely knowledgeable about the area and also about wines. We went to a boutique brewery for beer, gin and ginger beer, then a wonderful lunch, on to the winery for a wine tasting and finally back to the harbour for a fabulous dessert anda cocktail! We were then dropped back to the ship. I thoroughly recommend this tour for a fun day out! Thank you Paul.
Michelle_H, Jan 2024
Paul was a wonderful guide! Knowledgeable, personable, and just plain fun to be around - twenty-five years of experience leading tours definitely showed. We were celebrating my husband’s birthday, and the day was a perfect mix of exploration, tasting, great food, and lovely settings. We learned so much about the area, too - just what we were hoping for.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Paul thinks he is really fortunate to have a job where he meets lovely people & participates in an industry which he loves. Thank you for your review. We're very pleased you enjoyed your special celebration day!
Bruno_K, Dec 2023
The whole day from start to finish was amazing. It was such a variety to suit all kinds of tastes. Our tour operator Paul was full of local
Knowledge in all areas.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you, Bruno, for taking the time to write a review. Paul loved his day with you & we're glad you enjoyed it too.
renae_s, Dec 2023
We had a really nice day seeing the area. The wine tasting was pretty good but there is only one winery in the area so limited choices. We had a nice group so that made it an enjoyable day. The lunch was delicious and then a very pretty stop for dessert and cocktail although we were pretty full by then. The brewery stop was really good too. Definitely a day of food, alcohol, good company and pretty scenery!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thanks so much for your review. We're glad it was a convivial day for you & that the variety of venues & sights was satisfactory.
Delia_J, Dec 2023
Wonderful place. Paul was a fantastic tour guide. Wine, beer, food, great views and great company. A day well spent!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thanks so much for your review. Delia. We're glad that the day lived up to your expectations. We appreciate that you made the booking with us & hope the rest of your cruise went well.
Robert_H, Nov 2023
We had a fantastic experience. Paul our guide was very knowledgeable about the area. This tour took us to a craft beer establishment, then for a great lunch, then to a winery, and finally for cocktails and dessert. It was so much fun and I highly recommend it!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We're so glad you enjoyed your time on the tour with Paul. We aim to give a great day out to everyone who travels with us. Thanks so much for taking the time to write about your day.
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