Port guide: Tauranga, New Zealand

One of New Zealand’s most popular cruise ports offers a splendid arrival, breezy beauty and plenty of interesting shore-excursion choices.

Who goes there

Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Heritage Expeditions, Holland America, Norwegian, Oceania, Ponant, Princess, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea are just some of the varied budget, premium, luxury and expedition cruise lines that stop by. Some visit on longer cruises that extend to Pacific islands such as Fiji and French Polynesia, but many are on dedicated New Zealand cruises, usually from Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney.

Tauranga is a splendid sail-in, past Mount Maunganui.

Sail on in

Tauranga is a splendid sail-in during which you might be accompanied by leaping dolphins. Your ship glides towards wild beaches before slipping past volcanic outcrop Mount Maunganui into an almost hidden but vast harbour that you’ll find yourself sharing with container ships. Trees on the shoreline are bent like bonsai by the prevailing winds. At times you feel you could almost lean over the railings and shake hands with people walking the shoreline.

Berth rites

What’s referred to as Tauranga cruise port is seven kilometres from the city at Mount Maunganui. You can get into Tauranga by public bus or perhaps cruise shuttle, but have no need to do so because Mount Maunganui is lovely. There’s no terminal, just a wharf, where friendly volunteers meet and greet. The seaside suburb is a short walk and has plenty of facilities, including shops and ATMs.

Going ashore

Mount Maunganui is a beach holiday spot favoured by New Zealanders and, while it doesn’t offer anything too exciting, it’s a lovely place to spend one of those indolent cruise days simply enjoying the beaches, headland walks, views, breezes and village-style shops selling knits, novelty mugs, Maori souvenirs and fudge.

Don’t miss

Water boiling in Champagne Pool, Wai-O-Tapu.Credit: Getty Images

Many cruise passengers head off on shore excursions from this port and, if you haven’t been before, then Rotorua, an hour’s drive away, is the chief attraction thanks to its geothermal wonders. You’ll have a variety of options, among them the Polynesian Spa with its scenic hot springs and spa therapies, and Te Puia Thermal Reserve for its geyser, mud pools and Maori village. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland has mineral terraces and volcanic pools in extraordinary colours.

Get active

Follow the shoreline from the cruise quay towards Mount Maunganui and you can circle the worn-down volcano on a flat, easy track that runs for six kilometres. If you want to up the heart rate there are several steep trails to the summit, well worth it for stunning views as well as the exercise. On the opposite side of the peninsula from your cruise ship is Maunganui Beach, popular for swimming and surfing.

Retail therapy

Stroll under the phoenix palm trees that line the main shopping strip, and you’ll find all manner of New Zealand souvenirs. Clothing stores – particularly for women – sell an interesting range of local wannabe designer brands as well as more established New Zealand and international brands. Among the best are Sisters & Co, Blakchaos and Paper Plane. Homeware store Flux is also worth a wander. The town centre park hosts a morning market if you’re in port on a Sunday.

Further afield

The Rotorua region has more than just weird volcanic landscapes. You can kayak on its many lakes, raft down rivers, go horse riding or attempt zorbing. Some cruise lines offer excursion options to Rainbow Springs for native trees and birds and trout-filled pools, or to the Agrodome, a sheep and cattle farm where you can see sheep dogs in action. Kids will enjoy Skyline Skyrides on Mount Ngongotaha, where you ride up in a gondola and luge back down.