Tauranga District: Art, Culture and Trails
Accommodation in Tauranga District
Mauao combines impressive height with great cultural significance: The mountain rises 232 metres and is the sacred tūpuna maunga of the iwi of Tauranga Moana, as well as the iwi of Te Arawa and Waitaha. However, an important consideration for planning your trip is the current restriction: Mauao is completely closed to the public until further notice after major landslides made the area unsafe. The 3.4-kilometre circular track at its base, Te Ara Tūtanga, is also currently inaccessible. Five kōhatu whakairo, stone carvings featuring traditional legends and ancient stories, are located on the mountain. From the summit, Te Tihi o Mauao, the views stretch across Te Awanui, the surrounding islands and the Pacific Ocean; visiting is currently not possible because of the closure.
Walking and cycling trails
There are several different trails for outdoor activities. The Waikareao Estuary Walkway is a 9-kilometre circular route suitable for walking and cycling. Another option is the Kōpūrererua Valley Walkway: its 6-kilometre paved section runs between The Lakes and Waihi Road. In Kopurererua Valley Reserve, agricultural land, native bush and ponds, among other things, span approximately 258 hectares.
The Pāpāmoa Walkway connects Pacific View Road and Wairakei Reserve via trails for walking and cycling. The Marine Parade Coastal Pathway is intended for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and people using mobility aids, skaters, and scooter users. The path continues the existing Main Beach Boardwalk at Mount Maunganui. These details give you specific trail names and route features to help you decide what kind of outdoor activity you would like to prioritise on your holiday.
Art and history in Tauranga
Tauranga’s cultural offerings also provide different ways to explore the area. Toi Tauranga Art Gallery anchors Tauranga’s Te Manawataki o Te Papa cultural precinct. The City Art Walk Tauranga tells the stories behind the city’s extensive public art collection. If you are particularly interested in urban history, The Elms | Te Papa Tauranga is one of New Zealand’s oldest historic sites. It includes Category 1 heritage-listed buildings and nationally significant collections. Guided tours are offered there daily from 10 am to 3 pm, with no booking required.
Tauranga city centre is notable for its historic attractions. It is also home to Baycourt Community and Arts Centre, Tauranga’s leading performing arts venue. These interests can help guide your search for holiday accommodation: if you want to focus mainly on art, urban history and performing arts, include Tauranga as an urban option in your comparison. If circular walks, cycling routes or varied landscapes matter more to you, the trails and reserves mentioned may help inform your choice.
Further information
For bus information, Baybus provides a network map for Tauranga that includes Pāpāmoa and Te Puke. The Arataki bus hub is on Farm Street, behind Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga. For further information about the area, you can also visit the pages for Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Omokoroa, Omanawa and Ohauiti.
For the broader travel overview: Bay Of Plenty.
More destinations
More places in the same destination:
