NZ Tours - Tauranga & Mount Maunganui 1 Day

Depart Hamilton for the famous east coast golden sanded beach resorts of Tauranga and Mount Mauganui/The Mount (or "Mauao" as it's known to local Maori) in the Bay of Plenty. On arrival in Tauranga, your driver-guide will make a short orientation tour of the town and beaches to show you the main sights before giving you free time to take the famous short walk around Mauao and to play beach sports or swim or surf.

Mauao is shrouded in legend and history. It's the dominant geological feature of the Tauranga District, with its conical rocky outline rising 232 metres above sea level. It has been of great importance to local Maori for more than six centuries as a place of occupation and later as a refuge for defence. Evidence of this is still visible today.

Hanging out at the Mount		Optional Marae Visit

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Optional Extras:

Hot Salt Water Pools

Hotpools are part of the New Zealand touring experience. These famous pools are located right next to the beach resort of the Mount and offer fantastic bathing and great value for money. The soothing hot saltwater pools are well known for their relaxing properties and are designed for people of all ages to enjoy. The modern complex includes tepid lap pool, hot passive pool, aquajet spa pools and private pools all warmed to 39^oC.

Fish 'n Chips on the Wharf at Bobby's Fish Market

No trip to New Zealand is truly complete with sampling some traditional fish 'n' chips. Bobby's Fish Market is a buzzy little place - virtually a shed right on the wharf where the fishing boats come in. Choose which piece of the local catch you would like and they'll prepare it for you then and there. Prices are very reasonable!

Kayaking (Waimarino)

Waimarino specialize in providing fun, instructional kayaking lessons and tours for educational groups. They are located in an adventure park on the Wairoa River just 10 minutes from Tauranga city. This tranquil paradise is based around the sport of kayaking and over the past 30 years Waimarino has become Tauranga's premier kayak/canoe location. Experienced paddlers shop here, Olympic hopefuls train here, corporate groups are motivated here, education starts here and local and international tourists love it here. Welcome to Waimarino. Featuring NZ's only kayak slide (!), peddalos, warm "roll pool", low ropes courses, and glowworm tours to mention but some of the things on offer here.

Winery Visit

New Zealand has a reputation for its fine wine production. Mills Reef Winery is regarded as one of NZ's leading producers. It is:

• family owned by a hands-on father and son winemaking team
• a producer of fine hand-crafted wines from premium Hawkes Bay grapes
• highly regarded for our outstanding Bordeaux red and Syrah wines
• twice-recipient of the prestigious NZ Winemaker Of The Year title
• winner of over 500 medals and 15 trophies in national and international competitions 

Marae Visit (* Note: minimum numbers apply)

Experience the Maori culture of New Zealand first hand by visiting Paparoa Marae (village), near Tauranga.
Witness the traditional welcome, the wero (challenge), the welcoming speeches and the hongi (traditional greeting). Learn of the rich Maori history, explanations of the Marae and carvings and you see that the oral traditions of storytelling are very much alive today. Be entertained by the local cultural group. Visit and meet the whanau (family) of Paparoa Marae.Optional hangi dinner and/or outriggers or canoe session (waka ama, waka tangata).

Like E-Tours, Paparoa Marae are participants in the Green Globe 21 Programme. It has been successfully benchmarked which means it meets the first set of sustainable tourism requirements set by the Programme.