Premium Experiences in Tauranga
If you have something special to celebrate or just want to treat yourself, Tauranga certainly can provide with a wealth of premium experiences on land and in the air. Tour the city on a V8 trike or Harley Davidson, fly above the city in a helicopter or freefall in a thrilling skydive. It’s not all about the adventure, however, as a premium trip to Tauranga is not complete until you indulge in a spa day and sample the fine dining of its bistros. So plan what you’re going to do in the harbour city with this list of luxury activities in Tauranga.
For more advice on planning your luxury getaway, check out The Luxury Guide to Tauranga.
1. See New Zealand’s Unique Birdlife on a Birding Tour
With tours starting in Tauranga, Foris Eco-tours offers full-day birding adventures taking you off the beaten track to see New Zealand’s unique wildlife. Enjoy a bespoke trip to see your preferred choice of bird species or hop along the ride and let your knowledgable guide show you the forest birds of the Whirinaki Forest among 1,000-year-old trees. Lunch, binoculars, spotting scope and transport are all included. For more information on Foris Eco-Tours, check out Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: Pick-ups are available from any Tauranga accommodation.
© Foris Eco-tours2. Explore Mt Maunganui on a V8 Trike
Strap into a V8 Chevrolet Trike powered by a 5.7L 350 (330 bhp) Chevrolet Edelbrock motor for a unique way to tour Mt Maunganui! V8 Trike Tours offer a complete experience on their Main Beach Cruise – 25 minutes of thrills around Mt Maunganui and even onto the beach. The experience is suitable for ages two to 102, making it another excellent activity in Tauranga to do with kids. Find out more about V8 Trike Tours on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: Salisbury Avenue, Mt Maunganui.
© V8 Trike Tours3. … Or on the Back of a Harley Davidson
Alternatively, explore Mt Maunganui in style on a Harley Davidson 1690cc with LoCol Tours. The 15-minute chauffeured experience will get you familiar with Mt Maunganui and its layout as you get to experience a ride on a genuine Harley Davidson. Find out more about LoCol Tours on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: Salisbury Avenue, Mt Maunganui.
© LoCol Tours4. Skydive Over the City
Combine a scenic aerial experience with adrenaline on a skydive with Skydive Tauranga. They offer tandem skydives from either 10,000ft or 12,000ft. See the iconic Mount of Mt Maunganui, the beaches of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, the sprawling city of Tauranga and its winding waterways and more as you experience freefalling for 30 to 45 seconds followed by a parachute flight back down to earth. Find out more about Skydive Tauranga on Viator or Tripadvisor. Plus, see how this compares to others in the 11 Places to Tandem Skydive in New Zealand.
Location: 2 Kittyhawk Way, Mt Maunganui.
© Tourism Bay of Plenty5. See What it’s Like to Fly a Fighter Jet
Experience the excitement of a military flight in one of the fighter jet simulators of 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. With virtual reality headsets, highly detailed hardware and cockpit motion, the simulator gives you a realistic experience of being a fighter pilot! Find out more about The Aviator Experience on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Location: 142 Aerodrome Road, Mt Maunganui.
© The Aviator Experience6. Indulge in a Hot Pool and Spa Day
Take a break from the adventure and be transported to a world of bliss with a day soaking in natural mineral hot pools or indulging in a spa treatment. Some of your most premium options in Tauranga include the private pools at Mount Hot Pools and Fernland Spa, which also offer massage treatments. Alternatively, Ridge Country Retreat is a luxury spa complex just 20 minutes from Tauranga, offering spa and beauty rooms, a geothermal pool, as well as three-day yoga and wellness retreats. See how this compares to others in the 10 Damn Relaxing Hot Pools in New Zealand.
Location: Mount Hot Pools – 9 Adams Avenue, Mt Maunganui, Fernland Spa – 250 Cambridge Road, Bethlehem. Ridge Country Retreat – 300 Rocky Cutting Road, Waitao.
© Tourism Bay of Plenty7. Dine on Fresh Seafood, Premium Steaks or Vegan Delights
You can hardly visit a cultural hub such as Tauranga and not experience the cuisine. A fabulous place to start is the Clarence Bistro Restaurant of The Clarence Hotel, an elegant restaurant serving fine dining European dishes. More European cuisine can be enjoyed at Mount Bistro at the base of The Mount, while a more seafood affair can be experienced at Harbourside. For more recommendations, be sure to browse The Foodie Guide to Tauranga.
Location: Bistro Restaurant – 51 Willow Street, Mount Bistro – 6 Adams Avenue, Mt Maunganui, Harbourside – 150 The Strand.
© Tourism Bay of Plenty[CLOSED] Do a Helicopter Tour Over Tauranga’s Most Scenic Spots
Experience Tauranga from a bird’s eye view with Aerius Helicopters! They have a ton of scenic flights available, from cruising over the Papamoa Hills and looking out for sealife as you fly along the coast to circling The Mount of Mt Maunganui and beyond to Maketu, one of the early arrival sites of the Maori to New Zealand. See more like this in the 10 Romantic Activities in Tauranga for Couples.
Location: Hangar 8, Tauranga Airport, 142 Aerodrome Road, Mt Maunganui.
© Aerius HelicoptersMore About Luxury Trips to Tauranga
- 8 Best Luxury Accommodation in Tauranga
- 10 Tauranga Must-Dos
- The Guide to Tauranga for Families
- The Complete Travel Guide to Tauranga
That’s it for the best luxury activities in Tauranga. Find even more tips to make your luxury getaway exceptional in The Luxury Travel Guide to New Zealand.
