Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Tauranga?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Tauranga?
Many visitors spend two to three days in Tauranga during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks.
Tauranga is a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It's a popular vacation spot for both locals and international tourists. There are nice beaches, and many wonderful hikes in the area and the affordability makes it a great place to chill and worry less about money.
Do you have one or two days to visit Tauranga? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Tauranga?
With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this town. After all, Tauranga, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. To fully embrace Tauranga, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate two to three days to relax at the beach, take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, and browse the museums. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Tauranga
The beautiful beaches await you in Tauranga, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Families and travelers head here for the sandy beaches and water activities. Surfing, kayaking, and fishing are all popular in the area. Some of the most popular beaches include Mount Maunganui Beach, Waihī Beach, and Anzac Bay.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour ($98)
- Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga ($138)
- Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga ($108)
Tauranga is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. A mix of beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and other natural environments make this a beautiful destination for travelers.
The public transit in Tauranga is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. There are buses, trains, and ferries in the area.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Tauranga?
Tauranga, a small town brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. A weekend is probably not enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities. You will likely feel rushed to see the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks. To thoroughly enjoy your trip, you'd need more time, as most vacationers schedule two to three days to fully experience the laid back town. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
The view from The Mount, Tauranga, New Zealand
How to spend 2 days in Tauranga
With a weekend (two to three days) in Tauranga, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
Known for it's hiking, Tauranga sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The Bay of Plenty is filled with hiking trails that run along the coast or head inland through the mountains. There are forest and bush walks that range in length and skill level and there really is something for everyone.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga ($108)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find a great mix of restaurants in the town's downtown area. There are international flavors as well as seafood and other local favorites.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 4hr Shore Excursion - History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting ($58)
- 4hr Tauranga Scenic History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting ($58)
- Shore Excursion: Local Tasting Tour from Tauranga ($120)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Tauranga, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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