2-Hour Private Minibus Tour of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui: A Scenic and Educational Journey
4.0
53 Ratings
Mount Maunganui
Experience the best of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui on this 2-hour private minibus tour. Explore historic sites, scenic lookouts, and kiwi orchards. End your tour in Mount Maunganui to enjoy the shops, cafes, and beautiful beach.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Mount Hot Pools - . Return here after your tour - 10 min walk from ship
    Trip Advisor Hall of Fame, Gold Qualmark & NZ PoolSafe. This iconic open aired hot ocean water pools treats your body, soul and mind. Outdoor spas with massage jets & large relaxation pool with shoulder spouts 39 degrees, active pool to cool off or swim 33 degrees, children’s pool with mini slide and fountains, indoor private pools and onsite massage therapy. Accessibility friendly facility.

As far back as 500BC, Hippocrates recognized the health benefits of warmed seawater to rebalance and detoxify our bodies. Salt water bathing was believed to improve mobility by easing muscle/joint aches and pains. A natural escape in the heart of Mount Maunganui. Soak in our Hot Ocean Water Pools, followed by an onsite massage for ultimate relaxation.

  • Mt Maunganui Main Beach - Drive around Mount Maunganui township and alongside one of the ‘best beaches’ in the world, Mount Main Beach is beautiful and showcases some stunning beach front houses and amazing views!

  • Tauranga Bridge Marina - Crossing over the Tauranga harbour bridge you will see your cruise ship in the distance. Hear about the Port of Tauranga and how industry has shaped Tauranga to be the busiest port in New Zealand. See amazing views of the harbour, marina, Matakana Island and the impressive Mauao.

  • The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga - The Elms Mission House - this being a place of early contact between Māori and Pākehā, this historic site remains at the centre of Tauranga’s history and identity today. Encompassing category one listed heritage buildings and nationally significant collections, all set within a diverse and tranquil garden setting.

  • The Old Tauranga Post Office - The Old Post Office building dates back to 1906 and has been recently renovated and is now operating as Clarence, the boutique Hotel and Restaurant. With its clock tower and red Marseilles tiles, crested ridging and terracotta finials make this a prominent and unique building within Tauranga City Centre,

  • Minden Lookout - To get a perspective on the beautiful Bay of Plenty we head to the Minden Lookout. Located to the west of Tauranga and 286 metres above sea level the Minden Lookout gives a panoramic view of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. From here, on a clear day you will see the coastline up to the Coromandel and down to Whakatane with Whakaari (White Island) in the distance.

  • Harbour Drive - One of Tauranga’s most desirable of locations. Harbour Drive is real estate royalty not only for being waterfront, but is also within walking distance to Tauranga’s CBD, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, golf course, retail shopping, marina and schools but without the hustle and bustle of the city. Stunning views across to Matakana Island and Mount Maunganui, a true beauty spot!

  • Bay Oval Cricket Ground - Bay Oval is a cricket ground in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand. The ground was built in Blake Park and opened in 2005. Bay Oval has hosted men’s and women’s international limited overs matches since 2014. It hosted its first Test match in November 2019.
    Blake Park hosts other sporting activities such as Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Soccer.

  • Zespri International - Zespri International Limited HQ is the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. They work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which they supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers.

  • Giant Pohutukawa Tree - This very large old tree, estimated to be approximately 600 years old is the last remaining pre-European Pōhutukawa on the Mt Maunganui ‘sand bar’ and has local Ngäi Te Rangi Iwi significance. It has been reported that in the early days of settlement, several skeletons of pre-European origin were located at the tree’s base in a kneeling ceremonial position. Māori leader Kihi Ngatai (Ngai Te Rangi) was quoted in the Bay of Plenty Times that during Cyclone Bola several of the branches broke off and that local Māori would not allow council to cut the tree, as the deceased were once hung from the branches until they decomposed. Their bones were then buried underneath it.

  • The Mount Mainstreet - Mount Mainstreet is a relaxed, vibrant, boutique shopping strip lined with phoenix palm trees and is home to some of the top designer brands, souvenirs, beauty salons, bars, cafes, restaurants and contemporary and fine art in the Bay.

  • we can drop you here for you to explore and walk back to the ship *
What's Included
  • Bottled water provided
  • Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
  • Convenient port pickup and drop-off included
  • Scenic photo stop at Minden Lookout and Harbour Drive (time permitting)
  • Led by a local driver/guide with insider knowledge
What's Not Included
  • Driver Gratuities
  • No toilet on board vehicle
Additional Information

This is an enjoyable, educational, and light-hearted tour of what we consider to be Tauranga and Mount Maunganui’s ‘best,’ which is what other tourists miss while taking the lengthier excursions to Rotorua. The Historic Elms Mission House, Old Post Office, Tauranga Waterfront, Harbour Bridge are all highlighted in the city area before we drive out to show you the Kiwi & Avocado orchards. Taking a beautiful drive to the Scenic Lookout from where you can see stunning panoramic towards the Coromandel with Whakaari/White Island visible in the distance. This being a shorter non-stop 2-hour tour offers you time to be dropped in the town of Mount Maunganui to explore the beautiful shops, cafes, bars & restaurants or take a walk around Mauao or explore the stunning Mount Main Beach. From there it’s a 10-minute walk back to the ship.

  • Photo stop at the lookout
  • Complimentary bottle of water
  • Times may vary or alter to suit the arrival of the cruise ship *
  • Gold Qualmark Tour Operator *
  • The total duration of this tour includes transportation or travel time
  • Times may vary or alter to suit the arrival of the cruise ship
  • Gold Qualmark Tour Operator
  • Business Name: Things to do in Tauranga (office located inside the port at the Information Centre)
  • NOTE: Vehicle size may vary 18-40 seats
  • Qualmark Covid Clean approved
Location
1 Salisbury Avenue
Salisbury Avenue
Meet our vehicle and driver directly outside the Port of Tauranga passenger exit on Salisbury Wharf | The Mall. If in doubt where to meet us please ask a Tourist Volunteer or just ask for the V8 Trikes, we are located in the same area. The bus will read: 2-HOUR CITY & SCENIC LOCAL MINIBUS TOUR
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(53 Ratings)
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K0chb0ss
Apr 23, 2024
Great tour to see Tauranga when you are on a cruise - We thoroughly enjoyed the Tauranga City & Scenic tour that we did on our recent cruise. The bus was there waiting for us and we saw some beautiful places and scenery on this tour, places we would not have seen if we did this on our own. The bus driver was very informative but unfortunately on the day of our tour, his microphone was not working properly and the people at the back of the bus could not hear him. I would certainly recommend this tour. I would also like to say a big thank you Kathryn for all you did to make this tour possible for us, especially with me mucking the dates up and all you did to rectify this for me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kay_r
Apr 18, 2024
easy fun tour - good over all tour. Dave our driver knowledgeable and funny. good to get the overview of the area. bys comfortable
Review provided by Viator
Navigator03687500563
Apr 17, 2024
Martin the great tour guide - MARTIN was a great tour guide who seemed to know lots about this area and its cultural history. Pretty good for a Londoner 😄 And … my husband and I didn’t mind at all that we couldn’t sit alongside each other. People on the bus were friendly and that’s what counts 😉
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharon_h
Apr 5, 2024
Recommended - Well worth a trip out. Excellent knowledgeable driver. Got to places where you wouldn’t normally go to. When on a cruise you need to maximise your land time and this trip does that.
Review provided by Viator
Federico_l
Apr 2, 2024
Great way to spend time and explore Tauranga. The tour operator is highly recommended. - We had a great time in Tauranga. Thank you so much to Kathryn. I had a large group and with Kathryn's help we were able to make special arrangement so that we are grouped together, making our Tauranga experiance more efficient, fun and memorable. I highly recommend this tour, most expecially for a large group or family. The tour operator is very responsive and accomodating. This Shore Excursion is also very cost effective.
Review provided by Viator
Graciela_b
Mar 29, 2024
Good experience - Clear explanation Information about kiwi agriculture Guide was very professional We were on time Nice wiews
Review provided by Viator
370serenap
Mar 28, 2024
Good tour - Martin was a wonderful guide. Knew a lot about the area and culture and didn't put anyone to sleep (inside joke) . We really enjoy the tour. Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_b
Apr 19, 2024
Good Value - Great excursion. Would have given it 5 stars except that the minibus was somewhat cramped for my 6’2” frame.
Review provided by Viator
Orazio_n
Apr 15, 2024
Well organized welcome at... - Well organized welcome at the Harbour Tauranga. The Guide and driver Chris did a very good job and gave us interisting Insider from Taurangs. Thks
Review provided by Viator
Gookyounh
Apr 9, 2024
Terrible memories - We stopped here day trip with Carnival cruise. We paid $340 for 4 adults and 2 children. We couldn’t even sit with my children and my old parents. I felt terrible and worried my children. Everyone sat separately. Waste money and time. They must organise seat so family can sit together. I asked the lady working there, she said people come fisrt, sit first. Terrible memories. We weren’t happy at all!
Review provided by Tripadvisor