Tauranga
Table of Contents: About / Travel to Tauranga, visa requirements / Get around / Tauranga attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Shopping, Tauranga souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Tauranga nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Clubs / Pubs / Restaurants / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget / Mid Range / Get out More from Bay of Plenty: Tauranga, White Island |
Tauranga [1] (population 101,000) is the major city of the western Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is the sixth largest city in the country, and is 105 km east of Hamilton and 85 km north of Rotorua.
About
Tauranga is located at the head of a large harbour which extends along the western Bay of Plenty, and is protected by Matakana Island. The town and headland of Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to the harbour, five kilometres north of Tauranga. "The Mount", as it is known, is often regarded as a satellite town of Tauranga. Its is one of the major resort cities in New Zealand, famous for its beautiful beaches.
The name Tauranga comes from Maori, it roughly translates to "a sheltered anchorage".
Due to its sheltered position on the east coast, Tauranga enjoys a warm, dry climate. This has made it a popular location to retire to. During the summer months the population swells as the holidaymakers descend on the city.
Much of the countryside surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land, used to grow a wide range of fresh produce for both domestic consumption and export. The area is particularly well known for growing tangelos (a grapefruit / tangerine cross) and kiwifruit. The Port of Tauranga also experiences brisk but seasonal shipping traffic and is a regular stop off for both container ships and luxury cruise liners.
Travel to Tauranga, visa requirements
If you are coming from Auckland you will have to go along state highway 2. You will need to turn onto 2 then turn onto 27 and then turn again onto 29, this should take you on a straight all the way to Tauranga after this. Tauranga also has a minor airport with regular Air New Zealand [2] flights from Auckland and Wellington.
Intercity Coachlines also stop in downtown Tauranga on route from numerous parts of New Zealand.
Get around
Tauranga has a bus system which services the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa & Tepuke area's. Most people however rely on their own vehicles, although the bus service is very reliable.
BayHopper Bus Time Tables: http://www.baybus.co.nz
There is also a daily ferry that runs from Tauranga to the Mount leaving from The Strand carpark which gives you a really nice trip on the harbour Ferry Timetables: www.bayferries.co.nz
Tauranga attractions and sightseeing
Mt Maunganui (A small mountain to climb with fantastic views of Mt Maunganui and Tauranga area and coastlines). Kiwifruit Country - Te Puke Longridge Farm - Te Puke Marshalls Farm - Omokaroa Te Puna Quarry Park (previously a quarry but turned into a park through voulenteer work) - Te Puna
City tours
In the summer most holiday makers travel to "The Mount" to make the most of the beautiful beaches and the great surf. The waters off the coast of Tauranga also are good fishing areas. It also has a good selection of beautiful walks.
Shopping, Tauranga souvenirs
There are two main shopping centres in the Tauranga region - Bayfair at 'The Mount' and central Tauranga, or 'town'
Good restaurants and cheap meals
People in Tauranga love to eat out. There is a large selection of restaurants to eat at, especially on 'The Strand', which is regarded as the restaurant central of Tauranga.
Tauranga nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
As with eating, people in Tauranga love cafes. You will also find numerous pubs around the area. A Double Spirit will cost you $6-$7NZ. New Zealanders can definitely drink. Alcohol is part of life here at a young age.
'The Strand' is the main strip of Tauranga's Nightlife consisting of Tauranga's bars, clubs and restaurants.
Clubs
- The Grumpy Mole - General Mainstream, Top 50 Music
- Krazy Jacks - (Alternative / Rock club providing live bands and no dress standards)
- Usual Suspects - Heiniken on tap!
- The Budda Lounge - Cocktail Lounge with Flair Bartenders
- Home Bar
- Coyotes - Mainstream music with dance on Saturday nights High dress code
- Crown & Badger - Great pub meals
Pubs
- Cornerstone
Restaurants
- Amphora
- Shiraz
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
Various Backpacker/Hostel type accomodation is available in Tauranga.
- Just The Ducks Nuts Backpackers, 6 Vale Street, Phone:+64 7 576 1366 (email:info@justtheducksnuts.co.nz), [3]. Located in the Otumoetai/Pillans Point area a 20-25 min walk or short bike from downtown Tauranga.
- YHA Tauranga Hostel, 171 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga. Phone: +64 7 578 506. [4]. Located close to the city, only a 5-10 min walk.
- Harbourside City Backpackers Tauranga, 105 The Strand Tauranga, Phone: +64 7 579 4066, (email: info@backpacktauranga.co.nz), [5]. Located right in amongst the main restaurant, pub and clubbing area.
Mid Range
- Hotel On Devonport, Devonport Towers, 72 Devonport Road, Tauranga, Phone: +64 7 578 2668, [6]. Noticable as 2 large towns in the heart of downtown Tauranga, it also houses private apartments.
Get out
More from Bay of Plenty: Tauranga, White Island |
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