Tauranga City & History Scenic Tour – 2 Hours

Itinerary

1. Your driver/guide will take you on an interesting journey through the different aspects of life in Tauranga. From the forming of the landscape, the arrival of man and the founding of the city, through to the different produce grown in the province and what modern life is like in the area. Departing from the port gates you will travel through Mount Maunganui township past Mauao the iconic landmark mountain and one of New Zealand’s most popular beaches "The Mount Main Beach" home of surfing, professional beach volleyball and surf lifesaving competitions. Crossing over the Tauranga harbour bridge you will go through the Port of Tauranga and hear about how industry has shaped Tauranga to be the busiest port in New Zealand and see stunning views of the harbour and Matakana Island. (30 min)
2. Moving into the city to The Elms mission station you will see some of the oldest European settlement buildings in New Zealand and get an understanding of how Europeans became established in the Bay of Plenty and started to trade with the local tribes. At Monmouth Redoubt you see will evidence of the British army’s occupation of the area and learn about the Musket Wars, the New Zealand Land Wars and the significance of the battle of Gate Pa. You then move through the city center past the Clarence Hotel, the site of the first regional government buildings in Tauranga and learn how the site was used by the local mission, the British army and the local government. (1h 0min)
3. You then travel across to Matua to the remnants of the Otumoetai Pa site where there are beautiful views across the harbour from what was considered by the first Europeans to arrive here as the capital of Tauranga. You will learn more about the Musket Wars, how peace was brought to the area after much conflict and how the harbour of Tauranga has since developed to become the busiest port in the country. (30 min)

Meeting & end point