Where to stay in Tauranga — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Tauranga is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing cities, set on the warm, sunny Bay of Plenty. Its twin town Mount Maunganui has a hugely popular white-sand beach and an ancient volcanic cone to climb for the views. It's both the country's biggest kiwifruit export port and a beach getaway for North Islanders.
Why stay in Tauranga
Mount Maunganui beach
A long stretch of white sand ranked among New Zealand's most popular beaches, with good waves for surfing.
Climb Mount Mauao
Mauao is a dormant volcanic cone at the tip of the peninsula — a roughly 45-minute walk up for 360-degree views of the bay and town.
Swim with wild dolphins
Tours head out into the Bay of Plenty to swim with wild dolphins and see seals and seabirds.
Seaside hot pools
The Mount Hot Pools are saltwater hot pools at the foot of Mauao — a relaxing soak after swimming or climbing.
Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Tauranga
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
Find the right Tauranga hotel for you
1 ranked reviews👆 Tap a chip to filter — pick more than one
No reviews match these filters — try removing one or two
Local dishes to try in Tauranga
- 1🥝
Fresh kiwifruit
Tauranga exports more kiwifruit than anywhere in the world — try fresh gold and green kiwifruit from the orchards, plus kiwifruit ice cream.
📍 Te Puke - 2🦞
Bay of Plenty seafood
Fresh fish, shellfish, and prawns from the Bay of Plenty, served at waterfront restaurants and the fish market.
📍 Harbourside - 3☕
Beach cafes
Maunganui Road is full of brunch cafes, ice cream shops, and gelato in a relaxed, beachy style.
📍 Mount Maunganui - 4🍣
International food
The city centre and waterfront have Japanese, Thai, and Mediterranean restaurants to choose from.
📍 City Centre - 5🍺
Craft beer
Craft breweries in the Mount area are well regarded, with a relaxed beach atmosphere perfect for an evening drink.
📍 Mount Maunganui
- 1⛰️
Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
A dormant volcanic cone at the tip of the peninsula — walk to the summit for bay views, or take the flat track around the base by the sea.
📍 Mount Maunganui - 2🏖️
Mount Maunganui Beach
A long white-sand beach with lovely waves, great for sunbathing, surfing, and swimming, with cafes and restaurants lining the shore.
📍 Mount Maunganui - 3🌊
Tauranga Waterfront
A waterside walkway with sculptures, a playground, and restaurants, in the city centre by the harbour.
📍 City Centre - 4🌋
Whakaari White Island
An active volcanic island out at sea, viewed from a scenic flight over the Bay of Plenty (landings are currently suspended).
📍 Offshore - 5♨️
Mount Hot Pools
Saltwater hot pools at the foot of Mauao, open late, to relax the muscles after swimming or climbing.
📍 Mount Maunganui - 6🥝
Kiwifruit Orchards
Nearby Te Puke is the world's kiwifruit capital, with orchard tours and roadside stalls selling fresh fruit.
📍 Te Puke
Things to do in Tauranga
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Tauranga — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
3 Tauranga hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.0Upper-mid
★ 8.8Upper-midSebel Trinity Wharf Tauranga
#3 waterfront apartments · in-room kitchens
★ 8.6Upper-midโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในTauranga
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Quest Tauranga Apartment
#7 serviced apartment with kitchen · central Tauranga
Hotel On Devonport
#6 modern boutique · central Devonport Road
Hotel Bermuda Mount Maunganui
#8 beachside 3-star · near Mount Maunganui Main Beach
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Tauranga dates
🚆 Getting around Tauranga
Car hire
The most convenient way to reach the beaches, the Te Puke kiwifruit orchards, and the scattered sights around the bay.
Bayhopper buses
Local buses link the city centre with Mount Maunganui and the suburbs — use a Bee Card.
Walking and cycling by the beach
The Mount area is easy to walk and cycle along the beach, with short distances linking the beach to the restaurants.
Tauranga Airport
The airport (TRG) is close to town, with domestic flights to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Where to go next near Tauranga
AucklandNew Zealand's biggest city, wedged between two harbours and dotted with dormant volcanoes and yacht-filled marinas.
See this city's guide →
WellingtonNew Zealand's capital, on a windy bay and full of cafes, museums, and the film industry.
See this city's guide →
ChristchurchThe South Island's largest city, rebuilt from earthquake into a creative town on the banks of the Avon River.
See this city's guide →
QueenstownA town on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables, the world's adventure-sport capital.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Tauranga
Should I stay in Tauranga or Mount Maunganui?+
Mount Maunganui suits beach lovers and a relaxed holiday vibe, while central Tauranga is handy for restaurants and shopping — and they're close together.
When is the best time to visit Tauranga?+
Summer (Dec–Feb) is best for swimming thanks to the sun, though it's busy — the Bay of Plenty gets plenty of sun all year anyway.
Is climbing Mauao hard?+
The summit track is fairly steep and takes about 45 minutes to an hour, or you can take the easier flat loop around the base by the sea.
Ready to book your Tauranga stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking