Mount Maunganui Main Beach is New Zealand’s premier ocean beach, famous for its pristine white sand, excellent surf, and the dramatic backdrop of Mauao (The Mount). Located a short walk from the cruise dock and city centre shops, it offers lifeguarded swimming, a scenic coastal boardwalk, and a walkable land bridge to the blowhole on Moturiki Island. It is an ideal spot to experience Kiwi beach culture, watch surfers, or walk along the pristine boardwalks.

The Tauranga Harbour Bridge is an elevated scenic walkway offering panoramic views of Mauao, the harbour and the vibrant Tauranga Bridge Marina at its base. It serves as a fantastic vantage point for visitors to watch the cruise ships navigate the channel, spot low-flying aircraft and view urban street art under the structure. The bustling marina below adds to the appeal, offering a picturesque spot to stroll past luxury yachts, dine at waterfront restaurants or fish from public platforms.

The Elms (Te Papa Tauranga) is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most significant heritage sites, serving as a preserved time capsule of early Māori and European contact. Located on the Te Papa peninsula just above Tauranga's CBD, the site features category-one listed buildings and nationally significant gardens.

The Former Tauranga Post Office (built in 1906) is a magnificent Edwardian Baroque-style landmark located in the heart of the CBD. As one of the city's most architecturally significant heritage buildings, it serves as a prominent reminder of Tauranga's early civic history. Now transformed into a wonderful boutique hotel & restaurant known as 'The Clarence".

To get a perspective on the beautiful Bay of Plenty we head to the Minden Lookout. Located to the west of Tauranga and 286 metres above sea level the Minden Lookout gives a panoramic view of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui. From here, on a clear day you will see the coastline up to the Coromandel and down to Whakatane with Whakaari (White Island) in the distance.

One of Tauranga's most desirable of locations. Harbour Drive is real estate royalty not only for being waterfront, but is also within walking distance to Tauranga's CBD, restaurants, supermarkets, cafes, golf course, retail shopping, marina and schools but without the hustle and bustle of the city. Stunning views across to Matakana Island and Mount Maunganui, a true beauty spot! (Time permitting)

Bay Oval is a cricket ground in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand. The ground was built in Blake Park and opened in 2005. Bay Oval has hosted men's and women's international limited overs matches since 2014. It hosted its first Test match in November 2019. Blake Park hosts other sporting activities such as Rugby, Hockey, Netball and Football.

Zespri International Limited HQ is the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. They work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which they supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers.

This very large old tree, estimated to be approximately 600 years old is the last remaining pre-European Pōhutukawa on the Mt Maunganui ‘sand bar’ and has local Ngäi Te Rangi Iwi significance. It has been reported that in the early days of settlement, several skeletons of pre-European origin were located at the tree's base in a kneeling ceremonial position. Māori leader Kihi Ngatai (Ngai Te Rangi) was quoted in the Bay of Plenty Times that during Cyclone Bola several of the branches broke off and that local Māori would not allow council to cut the tree, as the deceased were once hung from the branches until they decomposed. Their bones were then buried underneath it. Not always possible in a large bus, however you do see so many beautiful Pohutukawa Trees on the journey!

Mount Mainstreet is a relaxed, vibrant, boutique shopping strip lined with phoenix palm trees and is home to some of the top designer brands, souvenirs, beauty salons, bars, cafes, restaurants and contemporary and fine art in the Bay. * we can drop you here for you to explore and walk back to the ship *