Tauranga (Rotorua, New Zealand)

Tauranga is a port city located on the eastern Bay of Plenty, at the head of a big harbour protected by Matakana Island. Tauranga is also the cruise port to Rotorua - a major tourist travel destination (both domestically and internationally) with the region's largest industry. Rotorua is best known for its geysers and geothermal hot mud pools. The cruise port is approx 86 km (53 mi) from Rotorua where tourists can visit Te Puia (Thermal Reserve).

The city's name comes from Maori, roughly translated to "sheltered anchorage". Tauranga is the centre of a vast citrus and sub tropical fruit-growing area. It is also a favourite base for deep-sea anglers. In the 1830s an Anglican mission was established in Tauranga. The community then developed as a shipping port and also a defence post against the indigenous Maori people. In 1864 it was the site of the Battle of Gate Pa during New Zealand Wars (1845 - 1872).

Region's cargo port (Mount Maunganui Port, on the above photo) is located across Tauranga Harbour, where cruise ships dock. It's also the prime overseas outlet for North Island's timber industry. Mt Maunganui features hotwater salt pools, excellent surf beaches, shops, and walks up the Mount - all within easy walking distance.

Tauranga City is not quite interesting for tourism, unlike Greater Tauranga - a very popular lifestyle and travel destination, with numerous natural attractions (beaches, mountains, waterfalls, lakes). Among the city's best known tourist attractions are Tauranga Art Gallery (inaugurated in 2007), Classic Flyers Museum, Moturiki Island, many parks: (including Memorial Park, Yatton, Kulim, Fergusson, Tauranga Domain, Te Puna Quarry).

Among the most popular outdoor activities are golfing, hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting (on the rivers Wairoa, Kaituna and Rangitaiki). Bay of Plenty coastline's beaches (swimming, surfing, fishing, scuba diving, seakayaking, kitesurfing).

The above photo shows Tauranga Harbour with its yacht marina and the Mt Maunganui Port. Among the most-popular ex-Tauranga cruise shore excursions are the boat tours to White Island (Whakaari volcano) located approx 90 km (55 mi) to the east.

Tauranga cruise terminal