All-Weather and Indoor Activities in Tauranga and Mt Maunganui – Perfect for a Rainy Day!
Relax, you’re in the city! The bad weather is hardly going to affect you here with some of Tauranga‘s iconic attractions being indoors. From inspiring art galleries to foodie tours to family-friendly climbing walls, the all-weather activities in Tauranga and Mt Maunganui are vast and varied. So dip into a hot pool, drift around a drift-karting track, or simply sit down for a New Zealand coffee, because all of that and more make up the things to do in Tauranga on a rainy day.
And if the weather clears up, be sure to have the list of 11 Things to Do in Tauranga on a Rainy Day at the ready.
1. Relax in a Soothing Hot Pool
With the mantra that you’ll get wet anyway, how about a day at the hot pools? Honestly, the rain doesn’t feel that bad when you’re kicking back in soothing mineral-rich thermal water. You have a few excellent options in and around Tauranga, such as the Mount Hot Pools in Mt Maunganui and the Oropi Hot Pools, which is a more affordable option. There’s plenty of room for all in the large hot swimming pool and private pools of Fernland Spa. You could even amp up the relaxation with a spa day or wellness retreat at Ridge Country Retreat. See how they compare in the 10 Damn Relaxing Hot Pools in New Zealand.
Location: Mount Hot Pools – 9 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui. Oropi Hot Pools – 1 Warner Road, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Tauranga city centre. Fernland Spa – 250 Cambridge Road, Bethlehem, approximately 6km (4 miles) from Tauranga city centre. Ridge Country Retreat – 300 Rocky Cutting Road, Waitao, approximately 16km (10 miles) from Tauranga city centre.
© Tourism Bay of Plenty2. See Warbirds and Fighter Jets at Classic Flyers NZ
Speaking of planes, get more of an aviation fix at Classic Flyers NZ. Check out the display of iconic warbirds and fighter jets in this classic aircraft museum in Mt Maunganui. Aside from getting up close to the aircraft, you can relax at the on-site cafe or book yourself in for a flight in one of the classic planes for when the weather gets better.
Location: 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui.
© NZPocketGuide.com3. Solve an Escape Room
Tauranga has a couple of fantastic escape rooms that are ideal for when the heavens have decided to open. Choose a wacky theme at Escape Rooms Tauranga and see if you can solve the puzzles to escape within the time limit. We also list this activity in our 10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples.
Location: Escape Rooms Tauranga – 75 Elizabeth Street, Tauranga city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com4. Dine at Tauranga’s Delectable Restaurants
Tauranga presents an irresistible range of restaurants, from fine dining bistros that we list in The Luxury Guide to Tauranga to romantic eateries that we also list in The Honeymoon Guide to Tauranga. The best of the rest, however, include Rice Rice Baby for its Vietnamese cuisine served upon its bubble-pink tablecloths. Also in Mt Maunganui, don’t miss The Rising Tide offering in-house beers from their brewery, as well as dumplings and some crowd-pleasers. Finally, pick up some classic Kiwi fish and chips from Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market. See more recommendations in The Foodie Guide to Tauranga.
Location: Rice Rice Baby – 136 Maunganui Road, Mt Maunganui. The Rising Tide – 107 Newton Street, Mt Maunganui. Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market – 1 Dive Crescent, Tauranga city centre.
© Tourism Bay of Plenty5. Hit the Climbing Walls of Rocktopia
Burn off some energy on the rock walls or kids climbing walls of Rocktopia. There are around 19 climbing walls for adults and serious climbers, while the Clip ‘N Climb walls are designed for kids to be able to safely and independently climb around 31 different challenges. It’s a great way to spend a rainy day in Mt Maunganui and one of the 10 Things to Do in Tauranga with Kids.
Location: 9 Triton Avenue, Mt Maunganui.
© NZPocketGuide.com6. Do Some Drift Karting
Whatever the weather, be sure to give the drift karts a go at BayStation. These unique drift karts are actually trikes powered by an electric front wheel and drifting rear wheels. On the indoor drift track, challenge friends and family to a race, drifting sideways around almost every corner along the way. The activity is suitable for ages eight and above.
Location: 81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Hit the Bowling Alley
Yes, Tauranga has a bowling alley! Challenge each other at the tenpin bowling lanes of Tenpin Tauranga, as well as have a go on other entertainment at the complex, including pool tables, a gaming lounge and a video game arcade. Complete the experience with a drink and a pizza at the licensed bar and pizzeria.
Location: 135 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, approximately 2km (1 mile) from Tauranga city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Visit the Tauranga Art Gallery
Inspire yourself (and stay out of the rain) at the Tauranga Art Gallery, a free activity in the heart of Tauranga city. The space has an ever-changing schedule of contemporary exhibitions from local and international artists. It’s also one of the activities we list in the 19 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Tauranga & Mt Maunganui.
Location: Corner Wharf and Willow Streets, Tauranga city centre.
© NZPocketGuide.com9. Go on a Foodie Tour
Finally, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing when you’re on a foodie tour with transport to indoor eateries, wineries, breweries and other artisans included. You have a wealth of foodie tours available in Tauranga, from the boutique wine tours of Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters (on Viator and Tripadvisor) to the brewery tours of the Brewbus. Check out all of your options in the 9 Things to Do in Tauranga for Foodies.
Location: Tours offer pick-ups from Tauranga accommodations.
© Tauranga Tasting Tours Charters10. Binge-Watch 365 Days, 365 Activities in New Zealand
If all else fails, you can always get some inspiration for your next New Zealand activity by watching New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year on YouTube. Watch as the team behind NZ Pocket Guide take on 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand! Make sure to subscribe.
[CLOSED] See What it’s Like to Fly a Fighter Jet
Just because the weather isn’t playing ball doesn’t mean you can’t experience a flight in a military aircraft! Experience the excitement of a fighter jet flight at The Aviator Experience. Their state-of-the-art flight simulators get you to experience what it’s like to be in the cockpit of an F-18 fighter jet, complete with virtual reality headsets, highly detailed hardware and cockpit motion. Find out more about The Aviator Experience on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: 142 Aerodrome Road, Mt Maunganui.
© The Aviator ExperienceMore Things to Do in Tauranga on a Rainy Day
That’s it for the things to do in Tauranga on a rainy day. Now, get more activity inspiration from the following guides:
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:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Adventure Mark (Health and Safety Audit - Updated [2024])
- Work Safe NZ (Adventure Activities Guidelines - Updated [2024])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
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