Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tauranga?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Tauranga?

One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Tauranga, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Relax at the beach, take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, and browse the museums on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Tauranga as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend a week 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:

  • Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour ($134)
  • Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga ($104)

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.

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 ($104)
  • Scenic Short Hike Tour - Papamoa Hills and McLaren Falls ($65)

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 ($56)
  • 4hr Tauranga Scenic History and Tasting Tour FREE Kiwifruit Tasting ($56)
  • Shore Excursion: Local Tasting Tour from Tauranga ($116)

Perhaps the most famous spot in Tauranga is Mount Maunganui, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city is known for its laid back bar scene. There are venues with casual live music as well as pubs where locals and tourists intermingle.

You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There are a number of historic buildings in town like the Elms Mission Station which dates back to 1847.

Shopping in Tauranga is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find all of the standard shopping malls, retail outlets, and clothing boutiques around town.

After you've explored most of Tauranga, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Tauranga?

Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Tauranga. Many visitors prefer to spend two to three days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the hiking, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

The view from The Mount, Tauranga, New Zealand The view from The Mount, Tauranga, New Zealand

How to spend 2 weeks in Tauranga

With 2 weeks in Tauranga, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach and hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.


A few trip suggestions:

  • Half Day Dolphin & Wildlife Cruise - Tauranga ($104)
  • Tauranga: Waimarino Adventure Park ($29)

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.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.