Where to stay in Tauranga

Tauranga is a coastal city in the Bay of Plenty Region and the fifth-most populous city of New Zealand, with an urban population of 160,900 (June 2025), or roughly 3% of the national population. It was settled by Māori late in the 13th century and colonised by Europeans in the early 19th century.

Tauranga sits at the head of a large harbour that extends along the western Bay of Plenty, with Matakana Island sheltering the harbour from the ocean. The volcanic cone and town of Mount Maunganui stand at the entrance to the harbour, 5 km north of Tauranga. "The Mount", as it is known, is a suburb of Tauranga, although it is often regarded as a satellite town. It is one of the major resort cities in New Zealand, famous for its beautiful beaches and surfing. The name Tauranga comes from Maori and roughly translates to "sheltered anchorage".

Getting in

Driving routes are State Highway 2 from Waihi, and Auckland via the scenic Karangahake Gorge; SH 29 over the Kaimai Range from the Waikato (also an option from Auckland via SH 27 onto SH 29); SH 36 from Rotorua via Pyes Pa (now sealed all the way); SH 2 from Te Puke, the western Bay of Plenty (and Rotorua via SH 33).

Getting around

Bayhopper bus system is a reliable service that covers the Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa & surrounding areas. Bayhopper buses serve Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and surrounding areas. Within Tauranga, the adult fare is $3.10 with a Bee Card or $4.00 cash (as of 2026). A Tauranga Daysaver costs $8.90. Bee Card users should tag on and tag off.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.