landmark
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Rotorua nature park showcasing New Zealand's unique wildlife including kiwi in a natural bush setting.
47 km · about 55 min drive
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand · Oceania
Tauranga sits on the route: 10 minutes from Gate Pa, 51km from Rotorua.
Tauranga is a city located in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. With a population of 161,000, it is an important destination in Oceania.
On a road trip, Tauranga sits in New Zealand, where you drive on the left. It's in the Pacific/Auckland time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Tauranga to your route.
Tauranga (Māori pronunciation: [ˈtaʉɾaŋa] , Māori language for "resting place" or "anchorage") 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 theRead more
13th century and colonised by Europeans in the early 19th century. It was constituted as a city in 1963.
The city lies in the northwestern corner of the Bay of Plenty, on the southeastern edge of Tauranga Harbour. The city extends over an area of 141.91 square kilometres (54.79 sq mi), and encompasses the communities of Bethlehem, on the southwestern outskirts of the city; Greerton, on the southern outskirts of the city; Matua, west of the central city overlooking Tauranga Harbour; Maungatapu; Mount Maunganui, located north of the central city across the harbour facing the Bay of Plenty; Otūmoetai; Papamoa, Tauranga's largest suburb, located in the Bay of Plenty; Tauranga City; Tauranga South; and Welcome Bay.
Tauranga is one of New Zealand's main centres for business, international trade, culture, fashion and horticultural science. The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest port in terms of gross export tonnage and efficiency. Tauranga is one of New Zealand's fastest-growing cities, with an 11% increase in population between the 2006 census and the 2013 census, and 19% between the 2013 and 2018 census. Due to its rapid population growth, Tauranga has become New Zealand's fifth-largest city, overtaking Dunedin and the Napier-Hastings urban areas.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Tauranga.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Tauranga.
Tauranga offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Tauranga with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Tauranga as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Tauranga is located in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Oceania. The coordinates are -37.6861 latitude, 176.1667 longitude.
Tauranga has a population of approximately 161,000 people, making it a city in New Zealand.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Tauranga as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Tauranga. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New Zealand4 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Rotorua nature park showcasing New Zealand's unique wildlife including kiwi in a natural bush setting.
47 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
The real-life Shire from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, with 44 hobbit holes set in rolling green Waikato farmland.
47 km · about 55 min drive
film location
The permanent Shire set with 44 hobbit holes, the Party Tree and the Green Dragon Inn, built for The Lord of the Rings and rebuilt for The Hobbit.
47 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
New Zealand's geothermal wonderland with erupting geysers, boiling mud pools, steaming lakes, and rich Māori cultural experiences.
51 km · about 60 min drive
Other places to explore near Tauranga.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning