Things to do in Tauranga
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Blue Ocean Charters
Fishing, diving and sightseeing trips (including one to Tuhua Island) on the TS Ohorere, MV Te Kuia and MV Ratahi.
reviewed
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Waimarino Adventure Park
Waimarino Adventure Park, on the banks of the Wairoa River, offers freedom kayak hire for leisurely paddles along 12km of flat water, runs self-guided tours further up the river, and sea kayaking trips. Its Glowworm Tour is a magical after-dark journey at McLaren Falls Park where you slip into a secret glowworm-filled wonderland. Waimarino also has an adventure park with a kayak slide, diving board, ropes course, warm pools and wildlife-spotting − a great place to spend a day, especially if there are children in tow.
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Tauranga Art Gallery
The Tauranga Art Gallery presents historic and contemporary art, and houses a permanent collection along with frequently changing local and visiting exhibitions. The building itself is a former bank, although you’d hardly know it − it’s an altogether excellent space with no obvious compromise (cue: applause!). Touring the ground and mezzanine galleries, with a stop to poke your nose into the video cube, will take an hour or so.
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De Bier Haus
With a pavement packed with happy punters, this hot Haus features Belgian beers and sophisticated environs. The interior’s a classic manly hunting lodge with an antler or two in the midst. Kitchen-work is swift and savvy, turning out Euro-offerings such as German sausage, brezels, moules, frites and an excellent squid salad.
reviewed
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Somerset Cottage
The most awarded restaurant in the Bay, Somerset Cottage is a simple-but-elegant venue for that special treat. The food is highly seasonal, made from the best NZ ingredients, impressively executed without being too fussy. Standout dishes include blue cheese soufflé, duck with coconut kumara and the famous liquorice ice cream.
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Zeytin
Ask the locals to name their favourite restaurant, and odds-on they’ll name Zeytin − a real Turkish delight. Real food, real cheap, with something for everyone along the lines of kebabs, delicious homemade breads, dips and healthy salads, wood-fired pizza and a few exotic surprises.
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Cornerstone
A cheerful watering hole attended by on-the-ball staff and a mature crowd (let’s say over 25). A solid no-surprises menu offers whopping meals, while sports fans can watch the game on the big telly and groovers can swing a hip (live music Thursday to Sunday).
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Naked Grape
With cheery staff, wine-coloured rugs and lilting jazz, this hip Strand wine bar draws the daytime crowds with pastas, pizzas, salads, good coffee and beaut breakfasts. At night it’s moodier, with mains like honey-braised lamb and lemon-marinated chicken breast.
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McLaren Falls Park
In the Wairoa River valley, 15km southwest of Tauranga just off SH29, McLaren Falls Park is a 190-hectare lakeland park with great trees and picnic areas. There are three basic modern hostels here and campsites. Also accessible from McLaren Falls is Marshalls Animal Park which has family fun such as animal petting, a flying fox, playground and pony rides.
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Mediterraneo Café
A hot spot, reeling with regulars enjoying terrific coffee and scrumptious all-day breakfasts. Order off the blackboard or from the cabinet stuffed with sandwiches, flans and cakes. Lunchtime crowds can be frantic (but the chicken salad is worth it).
reviewed
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Cargo Shed
Landlubbers in town on the weekend might want to consider calling into the Cargo Shed , the town's creative art market with lots of local art and craft for sale including a good selection of Maori-made and -inspired wares.
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Bravo
This trendy, well-regarded restaurant and bar is a pleasant spot for breakfast, flash sandwiches, salads, wood-fired pizza and freshly squeezed juices. There’s outside seating on the pedestrianised street and a few good vegetarian options.
reviewed
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Huria Marae
If you’re interested in marae (meeting house), Huria Marae is on a nondescript suburban street but has sensational carvings both inside and out. Call to organise permission to visit.
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Crown & Badger
A particularly convincing Brit boozer that does pukka pints of Tennent’s and Guinness, and food along the lines of bangers and mash. Things get lively at the weekends when live bands play.
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Little India
Part of a consistent nationwide chain, this flavoursome curry house offers the best value on the Strand, especially for lunch specials. Outdoor tables for a hot night and a hot prawn jhalfrezee.
reviewed
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Mills Reef Winery
Mills Reef Winery, 7km from the town centre at Bethlehem, has tastings of its award-winning wines (dig the cab sav) and a restaurant (open for lunch and dinner daily; mains $24 to $33).
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Elms Mission Station
Built in 1847, Elms Mission Station is the oldest building in the Bay of Plenty. Furnished in period style, it sits among other well-preserved mission buildings in leafy grounds. The spooky Mission Cemetery lies not far away at the intersection of Marsh Street and Dive Crescent − good for a little epitaph-reading.
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Wharf Street Restaurant & Bar
Wharf Street could live off its harbour views alone, but gets down to business with its extensive wine list and good value seafood, served in a refreshingly unpretentious dining room.
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Tauranga Tandem Skydiving
Landlubbers might consider jumping out of a plane…or maybe they won’t. Tauranga Tandem Skydiving with views of White Island, Mount Ruapehu and the East Cape.
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Collar & Thai
No tie required at this upstairs, upper-end eatery that artfully elaborates on Thai standards and uses plenty of fresh seafood. This place has good-value lunch specials.
reviewed
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Shima
Shima is a simple, unpretentious sushi and sashimi bar, hung with Japanese fans, umbrellas and lanterns. Bento boxes and set-price menus are great bang for your buck.
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Elixir
All natural and healthy, with some gluten-free options. Juices, smoothies and home-made muesli, plus coffee, pancakes and gelato, are delivered all bright and breezy.
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Brain Watkins House
The demure Brain Watkins House was built in 1881 from kauri (wood) and remains one of Tauranga’s best-preserved colonial homes.
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Colosseum
Your first choice for big-screen sports (30 screens!) and live music (Katchafire, dub DJs, Hendrix tribute bands etc).
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Marshalls Animal Park
Marshalls Animal Park has family fun such as animal petting, a flying fox, playground and pony rides.
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