10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Tourism Bay of Plenty
10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples

9 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples

© Tourism Bay of Plenty

Things to Do in Tauranga for Couples

Welcome to one of New Zealand’s most romantic cities with sweeping beaches, the glistening Pacific Ocean and rich in art and culture. Couples are spoiled for choice with a range of experiences to suit any occasion, whether it’s your honeymoon or you’re simply looking for an affordable romantic escape. Check out some of our top recommendations for romantic activities in Tauranga for couples and plan a trip to remember.

While you’re here, don’t forget to check out The Honeymoon Guide to Tauranga to get more tips for planning a romantic getaway.

1. Pack a Picnic for McLaren Falls Park

You don’t have to be a big spender to enjoy a romantic outing in Tauranga. A fun free thing to do is take a half-day trip to McLaren Falls Park, just 20 minutes outside of the city. Venture up short walks to picturesque waterfalls, wander through beautiful flower gardens and pack a picnic to have beside Lake McLaren or among Cherry Grove. For more activities like this, see the 19 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Tauranga.

Location: McLaren Falls Road, approximately 20km (12 miles) from Tauranga city centre.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Team Up on a Kayaking Tour to See the Glowworms

Speaking of Lake McLaren, this is the launch point for one of the most romantic kayaking tours in the country. Test your teamwork by paddling in a double kayak under a breathtaking array of twinkling glowworms. The tour can be enjoyed with Waimarino Kayak Tours, which begins with a gourmet picnic on the lakeside before paddling to a glowworm canyon. For more information on Waimarino Kayak Tours, check them out on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: Waimarino Kayak Tours, Taniwha Place, approximately 9km (6 miles) from Tauranga city centre.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© NZPocketGuide.com

3. Watch the Sunrise from the Top of The Mount

A must-do in Mt Maunganui is a hike to the top of its prominent volcano, lovingly known as The Mount or Mauao. It’s just a 20 to 30-minute walk up the mountain with the option to go the fast and steep way or the more relaxing yet slower way. The best time to do the climb is for sunrise, so you can watch the stunning vibrant hues casting across the beaches and city.

Location: The mountain at the end of Marine Parade – you can’t miss it!

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Tourism Bay of Plenty

4. Do a Romantic Guided Tour of Tauranga

Right on theme, the Romantic Tour of Tauranga with Fun Top Fun New Zealand takes you to the most romantic parts of the city. Visit lush parks and golden-sand beaches, see where are the best places to have a date, and learn about Tauranga’s own fascinating love stories that have occurred throughout the years. For more information on the tour, check it out on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 19 Bethlehem Road, Bethlehem.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© NZPocketGuide.com

5. Swim with Dolphins

Connect with nature and each other on one of Tauranga’s wildlife tours, such as dolphin swimming. Join either Dolphin Seafaris (on Viator and Tripadvisor) or Orca Wild Adventures (on Viator and Tripadvisor) for a day out on the water seeking pods of common dolphins and even swimming with them in their natural environment. From the boat and from in the water, watching the pods of dolphins play is an unforgettable experience.

Location: Both tours depart from 101 Te Awanui Drive.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Dolphin Seafaris

6. Look Out for Love Birds on a Birding Tour

If love birds are more your thing, however, join a full-day bird-watching tour with Foris Eco-tours. In this bespoke tour, you and your loved one will get the choice of choosing the sort of New Zealand birds you want to see. If you’re easy, then you can just enjoy the journey with your knowledgable guide to either see the forest birds of the ancient Whirinaki Forest or look at shorebirds on the Bay of Plenty coast. Either way, it’s a full day of getting to see New Zealand’s unique and rare birds in their element. For more information on Foris Eco-Tours, check out Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: Pick-ups are available from Tauranga accommodations.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Foris Eco-tours

7. Relax in a Private Hot Pool

A romantic getaway in New Zealand can be all go, go, go! Take some time to unwind with each other at one of Tauranga’s hot pools. Soak in natural mineral hot pools at either Mount Hot Pools or Fernland Spa, which both offer the option to up the romance in their private hot pools. It’s also possible to enjoy a couples massage treatment in their spas.

Location: Mount Hot Pools – 9 Adams Avenue, Mt Maunganui. Fernland Spa – 250 Cambridge Road, Bethlehem.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Tourism Bay of Plenty

8. Solve an Escape Room Together

Another option for couples who love to work together, Tauranga has a couple of fantastic escape rooms. Choose a wacky theme at Escape Rooms Tauranga or Flummox Escape Rooms and see if you can solve the puzzles to escape your chosen room within the time limit. What’s more, these activities can be a real rainy day saviour! See more like this in the 10 Things to Do in Tauranga on a Rainy Day.

Location: Escape Rooms Tauranga – 75 Elizabeth Street. Flummox Escape Rooms – 27 Spring Street.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Treat Your Loved One to a Romantic Dinner at Tauranga’s Restaurants

Aside from fine dining bistros, which we absolutely recommend and list in The Luxury Guide to Tauranga, there is a wide variety of romantic eateries in Tauranga to treat your loved one to. For instance, spice up your evening at Macau Bar Kitchen and Lounge, an Asian restaurant where plates are designed for sharing. Or swap the spice for the Italian flavours of Osteria. For something a little different, try Izakai serving an intriguing range of Japanese dishes with a New Zealand and Maori twist. For more recommendations, head on over to The Foodie Guide to Tauranga.

Location: Macau Bar Kitchen and Lounge – 59 The Strand, Osteria – 91 Maunganui Road. Izakai – 19 Girven Road, Mt Maunganui.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Tourism Bay of Plenty

[CLOSED] Take in the Views on an Intimate Scenic Flight

[Update: Aerius Helicopters has closed].

The winding waterways decorating the sprawling city, stretches of beach all the way to the Coromandel and the vast blue Pacific Ocean, Tauranga is amazing from a bird’s eye view. A special way to see it for yourselves is on a helicopter tour with Aerius Helicopters. From 20-minute flights around Mt Maunganui and the Papamoa Hills to full romance packages where you’ll fly to a secluded location for a picnic or even overnight glamping, the helicopter tour company offers many options. See more experiences like this in the 8 Luxury Activities in Tauranga.

Location: Hangar 8, 142 Aerodrome Road, Mount Maunganui.

10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples© Aerius Helicopters

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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