Top 10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Tauranga, North Island

THESE ARE some ideas to enjoy on a Private Tour ..........Enjoy a fun and informative tour with an experienced local guide showcasing the iconic Mount Maunganui, beautiful sandy beaches and million dollar homes plus many Rotorua and Tauranga's highlights. Also visit Kiwifruit Country Store for a kiwifruit tasting, orchard tour and souvenirs, plus beautiful beaches waterfalls and much more. In Rotorua visit the Geothermal area at either the living Maori Village at Whakarewarewa or Te Puia and immerse yourself in Maori culture. See the bubbling pools and stunning Pohutu Geyser, plus the Maori Cultural performance including the famous "Haka." Other attractions can include soaking in the soothing mineral waters at Polynesian Spa and enjoy breathtaking views and thrill seeking rides at the Skyline Gondola.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Bottled water, Professional guide, Port pickup, Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Departs 2:00pm Winter 3:00pm Summer. A tour of Tauranga city taking in the sights of early european settlements, the battle of Gate Pa, views of the harbour, local history and how Tauranga grew to be the city it is today. Finishes with a complimentary glass of wine or beer at The Clarence boutique hotel.

Inclusions: 11 seater modern, clean air conditioned minivan for your comfort and safety, Live commentary on board, Local driver/guide, Tauranga CBD accomodation pickup and drop-off, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

I am your Maori Tour Guide. As a Maori Tour Guide I am here to give you a genuine understanding of my Maori Culture and to share with you some of our myths and legends. I will explain the protocols you must observe during the Maori welcome and before entering into the Meeting House. On this small-group shore excursion from the Port of Tauranga, you will take a walk on Papamoa Beach, visit the Kiwi House which houses the iconic, endangered Kiwi bird. I will guide you down into the geo-thermal valley to get up close to boiling mud pools and steaming geysers, I will take you into the carving and weaving schools where students learn these ancient skills so they in turn can teach others so our traditions are never lost. I will help you avoid the large bus tour groups and show you the best vantage points for your photos. I will also take you into the city where you will have time to purchase some lunch at one of my favorite cafes or to browse through some of the shops.

Inclusions: Port pickup and drop-off, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Departs 10:00am (Subject to cruise ship docking times). Enjoy this 4 Hour boutique tour of Tauranga. Picking you up from right outside the Tauranga port gates the local guide accompaning you will serve as your expert, connecting you with the natural beauty, history, culture, industry and people of Tauranga. See amazing views, beautiful beaches, historical sites, orchards and experience the taste of our world-renowned Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit and Avocado industries. At the completion of the tour your guide will transport you back to the port gates. - RUNS OCTOBER TO APRIL ONLY

Inclusions: Bottled water, Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit and Avocado oil tastings, Local driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Port pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Free Locally made Kiwifruit Ice cream

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Departs 10:00am. Enjoy this 4 Hour boutique tour of Tauranga. Picking you up from right outside the Tauranga port gates the local guide accompaning you will serve as your expert, connecting you with the natural beauty, history, culture, industry and people of Tauranga. See amazing views, beautiful beaches, historical sites, orchards and experience the taste of our world-renowned Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit and Avocado industries. At the completion of the tour your guide will transport you back to the port gates. 

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Live commentary on board, Local driver/guide, Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit and Avocado oil tastings, Port pickup and drop-off, Bottled water, Free Locally made Kiwifruit Ice cream

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Geothermal Highlights Tour If you have been to Rotorua before, or have seen geysers in Yellowstone or Iceland and want something slightly different, then this is a tour worth considering. Wai-o-Tapu (meaning Sacred Waters) is very different to all the other geothermal fields in New Zealand. Dissolved minerals have created spectacularly coloured pools and long silica terraces. Whakarewrewa Maori Geothermal Village This little village is unique in the World. The ancestors of the families that still live here, moved to this area after the 1886 eruption of nearby Mount Tarawera. Their houses are located in an amazing geothermal field of boiling bubbling pools which they use for cooking, heating and bathing.

Inclusions: All activities, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch

Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua Geysers This is your chance to visit TWO of the North Island’s top visitor attractions on the same day! The amazing geothermal activity and geysers at Te Puia, and Hobbiton, the movie set, home of Bilbo Baggins. Our drive to Rotorua, where Te Puia is located takes you through kiwi fruit and avocado orchards, past dairy farms and Maori archeological sites, through pine plantations and native rain forest alongside stunning lakes set in volcanic craters to the geothermal valley of 'Te whakarewarewa tanga o'te ope taua a wahiao', the home of the Southern Hemispheres biggest geyser, Pohutu. From there a drive across the volcanic plateau down into the rich diary farming area of the Waikato and the location of the movie set, Hobbiton. Then leaving the Shire behind, return hrough the rolling countryside and over the 'Misty Mountains' to your ship in Tauranga. An opportunity not to be missed for all fans of the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (LOR).

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Bottled water, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Port pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Lunch, Gratuities

Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. Immerse yourself in the historic and picturesque city of Tauranga on this self-guided audio tour of the city. Tauranga is the arrival point of the Māori in New Zealand. In this audio tour, you will explore the beautiful waterfront and hear the tales of how the Māori crossed the Pacific Ocean in the Arawa Canoe. Visit the Monmouth Redoubt with its old cannon to learn about the battles between the natives and the European colonists at The Elms Missionary. You will also see the Strand, Robbins Park, the Mission Cemetery, the Tauranga Domain Wharepai Reserve, the Old Post Office, the Art Gallery and Brian Watkins House. A diverse and interesting tour with lots of Māori history, myths and legends. This tour takes the frustration out of not knowing what to do, where to go or how to get there. Your tour. Your pace.

Inclusions: Zip folder of audio files and map, Self-Guided Audio Tour, Self-paced, Downloadable link to download mp3 file and map

Exclusions: Audio Device, Transportation, Food/drinks, Headphones

The focus of this historical and cultural self-guided audio tour is the tales and myths that surround Mount Maunganui, also known as The Mount. This includes the arrival of the Maori in New Zealand at this spot aboard the Arawa Canoe. Wander along white sand beaches and scale Mauao if you so choose, all while listening to the stories of the natives’ past. Learn about the local tribes, the battles that took place between the Maori and the European settlers, and the lore that brings the mountain to life. You will also receive a map detailing the area of your tour.

Inclusions: Zip folder of audio files and map, Self-Guided Audio Tour, Self-paced, Downloadable link to download mp3 file and map

Exclusions: Audio Device, Transportation, Food/drinks, Headphones

Cruise around beautiful Mount Maunganui on a Harley Davidson. Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the immediate area.

Inclusions: Guide

Exclusions: