Tauranga City Guide
Tourist Attractions
The Elms Mission House was built in 1847 and illustrates the city’s Georgian past through its architecture and original decor. This was built for the Church Missionary Society and contains the oldest freestanding library in the country. You can visit this building on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and the grounds are open every day.
You can also visit one of the many events which take place at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre. You can observe many live dance and music performances as well as view the art and sculptures which are on display in the Exhibition Space. People also enjoy taking a stroll along The Strand – the walkway along the harbour front. This strip is busy during the day and night as it has many top quality restaurants where people can enjoy looking out at the waters. There are also many bars and nightclubs along this path; the walkway is guaranteed to be a busy tourist spot.
Natural Spots
You can enjoy relaxing in the Fernland Spa Thermal Mineral Springs which were established in 1968. Alongside the main pool, there are eight other private waters which can be rented out. All pools have natural mineral waters flowing through them and are cleaned out daily.
A great way to enjoy expansive views across the entire city is by hiking up Mount Mauao. This is an extinct volcano cone whose summit is the highest point within all of Tauranga. There are pathways which will lead you to the top and will show you some of the exotic plants and flowers found within New Zealand along the way.
Parks and Gardens
Tauranga also has a range of parks which showcase the natural scenery and foliage that exists within the country. The Living Art Sanctuary Wildlife Park has over 6000 native and exotic plants on display. This plush greenery also attracts many exotic animals and insects into the gardens. There is also a tea garden, a hot pool and an aviary to walk around where you can learn about the conservation projects which take place within the establishment.
You may also want to visit the Katikati Bird Gardens which is a large park and bird sanctuary. This has many colourful and exotic birds as well as a range of different terrains which include gardens shaded by trees, lily ponds, wetlands and secret paths. The McLaren Falls Park is great for a family trip out. You are able to fish in the vast lake, take hikes along the walking tracks and enjoy picnics in the designated areas. There are also free-roaming sheep and many species of birds to look out for.
5 Day Weather Forecast for Tauranga
| Today | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Clear 16°/6° | Clear 15°/4° |  Partly Cloudy 16°/5° | Partly Cloudy 17°/6° | Clear 17°/7° |
