Tauranga,
a picturesque coastal city nestled amidst lush landscapes, welcomes you to its
shores. Renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, and rich Maori
heritage, Tauranga offers a diverse range of activities for every traveler. As
you disembark from the Norwegian Jewel, prepare to explore the city's natural
beauty, immerse yourself in its cultural tapestry, and embark on unforgettable
adventures.
NORWEGIAN
JEWEL NEW ZEALAND CRUISE – SECOND PORT TAURANGA
Some
great night time entertainment had us sleeping in and missed passing scared mountain
before entering Tauranga.You’ll be
hard-pressed to find a more scenic port to sail into than Tauranga. With white
sand coastline that appears on the horizon and cruise past the sacred mountain,
Mauao, as you enter the harbour. You are welcomed to a piece of paradise, and
our second favorite location on the cruise.
Tips: Explore The
Strand and 17th Avenue in Tauranga city. Swim with dolphins. Get your waterfall
fix at McLaren, Omanawa and Kaiate Falls. Climb The Mount for epic views! Surf,
swim, eat ice cream and be a general beach bum at Mt Maunganui Beach. Driftkart
at Papamoa.
After
entering Tauranga Harbour and passing by the iconic mountain, Mauao, we berthed
at Mount Maunganui (one of Tauranga’s largest suburbs). Tauranga’s CBD is a 10
minute drive away over the Tauranga Harbour Bridge, but there are also plenty
of shops, cafes, restaurants and activities within walking distance at Mount
Maunganui itself. The port is also gateway
to Rotorua and the Hobbiton film set. If you want to experience New Zealand’s
renowned Maori culture or geothermal wonders, this is the place to do it. At
the Port of Tauranga we were able to walk straight off the ship and return as
often as we liked during the day. Tip: Just remember to take photo ID with you
(such as your passport or driver’s licence) to show port security staff when
you return with your ship card
Tauranga
always rates highly with cruise ship passengers because there are so many great
things to do here. Stretch your legs and explore the beautiful beach-side
suburb of Mount Maunganui, or head further afield across the Western Bay of
Plenty or inland to Rotorua or Hobbiton..
We
booked no tours and opted to walk around on our own. From the ship you’ll have
no trouble spotting the iconic mountain, Mauao, from your ship. Off the boat we
headed along Pilot Bay which is one ofregion’s premier destinations, a
beautiful sheltered beach which sits on the edge of Tauranga Harbour and
beneath Mount Maunganui’s towering mountain ‘Mauao’. The bay runs along the
southwestern side of Mount Maunganui’s peninsula and is sheltered from the open
ocean. Small waves gently lap at the shore here as the tide flows in and out,
providing calm swimming conditions all year round. It’s a great spot for
families with young children who want to splash about in the water without
getting knocked off their feet by big waves. Hunt for shells, build
sandcastles, draw pictures in the sand and enjoy swimming with your little ones
here. A row of stately Norfolk Pine trees line Pilot Bay, helping provide a
picture-perfect scene for cruise passengers as they sail through the harbour
entrance and berth at the nearby port. Pilot Bay is a picturesque place to
relax in the sun, enjoy the harbour views and watch the world go by. With
stunning scenery, clear blue water and plenty to see and do, it sums up
everything we love about the Bay of Plenty.
Tip: If you are
travelling down the east coast rather than taking the internal route through
Rotorua and Taupo, Whakatane is a great place to stop on your way through the
Bay of Plenty. There are some beautiful beaches in the area including Ohope –
one of New Zealand’s most-loved beaches but the big draw for visitors is a trip
to White Island – New Zealand’s only active marine volcano.
At the
end of Pilot Bay we ventured to the top of our most famous landmark. The walk took
about 40 minutes and requires a good level of fitness. You can choose from two
scenic tracks to reach the 232m-high summit. The view at the top is worth the
effort. You can see Mount Maunganui’s iconic mountain, Mauao, for miles around,
and when you’re standing at its summit, the view is even more impressive. Mauao
stands 232m above sea level and its summit tracks are not a casual stroll.
You’ll need a reasonably good level of fitness and mobility to climb to the top
but it’s certainly worth the effort.
You
can survey the entire Western Bay of Plenty from this vantage point, right down
the white sand coastline to Papamoa and beyond, over the harbour and Tauranga’s
city suburbs, and north across Matakana Island towards Bowentown and Waihi
Beach. The Kaimai Ranges loom in the distance behind Tauranga while the blue
Pacific Ocean stretches out as far as your eyes can see. The view is simply
breathtaking.
We
then took a walk past the Mount Hot Pools which are iconic in the Tauranga
region, popular with locals and visitors alike. On offer is a range of options
for the whole family to enjoy, with individual pool temperatures varying from
31°c to 39°c for your comfort and relaxation. You can get moving in the active
pool, relax in the passive pool (with its comforting massage jets), and watch
over your kids as they play in the nearby toddler’s pool with its slide,
waterfall and fountains. There are spa pools for your enjoyment and the option
of a luxurious massage with their friendly and experienced massage therapists.
Just
passed the Hot Pools we hit Mt Maunganui Main Beach, voted New Zealand’s best
beach, ‘the Mount’ is the ultimate summer destination. With perfect white sand
and thundering waves, you won’t find a better place to swim, surf, sunbathe and
socialise. Holiday memories are made here. You just can’t beat the Mount’s Main
Beach. This is the ultimate spot to swim, surf and sunbathe and this glorious
stretch of golden sand has been voted the best beach in the country.
“How you live your
life is up to you. You have to go out and grab the world by the horns. Rope it
before it ties you down and decides for you.”
This beach
sits at the base of Mauao, Mt Maunganui’s iconic mountain, and runs for
approximately 1km along to Moturiki (Leisure) Island. Moturiki is connected to
the beach by a man-made land bridge and features a spectacular blowhole at the
far end of the island which bursts into life during a large swell or high tide.
It’s also a great place to enjoy panoramic ocean views and look back along the
coastline. A well-formed walking track will lead you from the beach right to
the very top and takes about 15 minutes. Main Beach is also a fantastic place
to people-watch. You’re likely to come across both impromptu and organised
games of beach volleyball, soccer, cricket and more. National and regional surf
lifesaving competitions are held on this beach in summer, drawing large crowds
and lots of other entertainment.
We
then headed to Maunganui Rd to begin exploring this retail area for Kim to get
her shopping fix, and pick-up some WIFI.This main street is lined with phoenix palm trees and is a relaxed place
to browse the shops. We found clothing to suit all ages and budgets here,
including some of New Zealand’s top fashion designers. Souvenirs, beauty services, health stores,
pharmacies, bookstores, banks and foreign currency exchange services can all be
found here. Galleries showcasing local art and photography will also intrigue
and inspire you. There were plenty of cafes to grab a coffee and a bite to eat
we re-charge your batteries. After Kim got her shopping fix we headed back to
the empty ship and enjoyed a few quiet drinks and a swim before everyone
returned after their tours.
Check out our time in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty:
Night
time Entertainment was;
Guy
Taylor In Concert
Guy
Bradley Taylor, known as G.B. is Australia’s Mr Swing and commands the audience’s
attention from the start of his show with this winning personality and
wonderful singing voice. Relaxed and full of fun, delivering a powrhouse,
dynamic performance of old standards from all the great swingers.
Sing
It If You Know It Gameshow
Prism
tested your musical knowledge for this wild and crazy competition not to be
missed. You didn’t need any singing skills, because the party band will be
there for you to sing along with.
Love
Song Dedications with Prism
Couples
and lovers, hit the dance floor for a romantic evening of dancing with that
special one.
“Travel brings
power and love back into your life”
Tony And Kim are Travelers, Adventurers, and Bloggers from Brisbane. Tony & Kim + Shari Outdoor Adventures has something for everyone to enjoy including what adventures you can have in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and Overseas. One thing’s for sure: once you start browsing our blog, you’ll be booking annual leave before you can say “bucket and spade”.
While we don’t identify ourselves as writers, We've always been travelers. From a young age, we both were given the opportunity to travel and spend countless hours on family road trips & vacations to what seemed, at the time, distant places.We got our first taste of traveling as a couple in Palm Cove, Queensland on our Honeymoon and learned about each others same passion.We are not writers, so why blog? It’s a commitment to ourselves that holds us accountable. It’s the home for our Adventure Stories. We want this blog to inspire you, to inform you and to add fuel to your Wanderlust. We hope you’ll join us on this adventure!
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