Tauranga Tours
With over 80 cruise ships docking at the Port of Tauranga each summer, there are many local tourist operators all vying for the dollar and catering to the demands of thousands of holidaymakers.
One of the main draw cards of Tauranga as a cruise ship destination is its close proximity to Rotorua, which offers world class attractions such as geothermal wonders and New Zealand’s richest Maori cultural experiences.
Over the summer period there are many Tauranga cruise ship tours in full swing, providing an efficient and cost-effective means to exploring Tauranga and surrounding regions and the wonderful tourist activities and attractions on offer. Some of these businesses include Waimarino Kayak Tours, Free Wheeling Tours, Archer Tours, Hinterland Tours, Aerius Helicopters Custom Day Tours, NZ Shore Excursions, Select NZand Elite Adventures.
Scott Tours specializes in fantastic one day tours to Rotorua, including Wai-o-Tapu, Whakarewarewa and Te Puia. Each of these specific tours take in incredible steaming vents, boiling mud pools and spectacular geysers as well as other great sights and sounds along the way.
For those of you who don’t wish to venture too far, there are several Tauranga cruise ship tour operators who provide first hand experiences of local attractions, including the pristine golden coastline running south from Mount Maunganui, McLaren Falls, Minden Lookout, the historical Elms Mission House and beautiful farmland countryside. One of the most popular tours in Tauranga is the White Island tour and flight and tour operated by Aerius Helicopters. This is a once in a life-time opportunity to see New Zealand’s most active volcano in all of its natural beauty.
There are other tours leaving from the Port of Tauranga that include Waitomo Caves tours, and visits to Hobbiton and Te Puke, all internationally renowned destinations for their own reasons. Waimarino Kayak Tours also offer glow worm tours in Tauranga.
If you have just arrived in Tauranga on a cruise ship and haven’t got a tour organized, you could take advantage of the cheap car rental deals on offer at ABC Rentals, situated just 5 minutes from the port.
Aerius Helicopters is Tauranga’s go-to helicopter scenic flights operator, offering a wide range of helicopter rides and tours from Tauranga Airport, including nearby flights over Mount Maunganui, Maketu and Papamoa Hills, as well as longer distance flights to White Island and Tarawera and Rotorua Lakes. Operating since 2004, Aerius also offer incredible experiences that include a White Island tour from Tauranga and the Hobbiton movie set tour, both of which also depart from Tauranga Airport.
