The Tauranga cruise port offers three options, and the good news is that we believe you can’t go wrong. All three are winners, so it’s just a matter of choosing how to spend your day.
Firstly, there’s Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal wonders and vibrant Māori culture. We have been many times and still haven’t seen it all, in part because we always return to a few favourite spots. Here, we explore bubbling mud pools and geysers and experience traditional Māori performances.
Second, there is Hobbiton, the iconic movie set from “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” films. A visit here will take you into the enchanting world of Middle-earth, with its charming hobbit holes and lush landscapes, and the only remaining LOTR intact movie sets in New Zealand.
Lastly, there’s Mt Maunganui, right near the port. This spot offers beautiful beaches, a scenic hike up the mount for panoramic views, and a relaxed coastal vibe perfect for a leisurely day.
Each of these destinations offers a unique experience, making it hard to choose just one. But with limited time, we’ll help you pick the right Tauranga cruise port adventure for you.
Map of Tauranga cruise port highlights including the Dock location
The port of Tauranga cruise ship dock is only about 1 km from Mount Maunganui and across the bay from Tauranga.
Three main options from Tauranga cruise port
There are plenty of amazing things to do in the Bay of Plenty, but with only one day in the region, you will have to make some serious choices.
Let’s start with a quick summary comparison.
Rotorua
Geothermal region and Māori culture.
Hobbiton
Movie set tours from Lord of the Rings.
Tauranga – Mt Maunganui
Hiking, amazing views, and a top NZ beach.
Read next: Cruise Port Tips To Help You Choose the Best Shore Options
Is it possible to see Hobbiton AND Rotorua in a day?
Yes, if you have at least 9 hours at port, but be aware that you will be spending just a bit over 3 hours in the car. We haven’t seen any group tours that do this, but we did find a private tour that will pick you up at the port and visit both amazing sites.
Your guide will take you from the ship straight to Hobbiton, where you will join a tour there, as this is the only way to see it.
From there, you will visit Te Puia in Rotorua, where you will get a taste of Māori culture starting with a traditional welcome, followed by a Māori cultural performance.
Next, you will watch the famous Pohutu Geyser which can send steam and hot water up to 30 metres when erupting (typically up to 20 times daily), and you will also see bubbling mud, boiling hot water pools, and plenty of steam vents.
It’s an expensive day, but if you are not planning on returning and are a LOTR fan, you will want to see both. The tour price is for up to 4 people. Reserve your Rotorua AND Hobbiton tour here.
What to do in one day in Rotorua
Although sailing into the Tauranga cruise port creates a difficult decision for many, if I were choosing for myself and I hadn’t been before, hands down I would pick Rotorua. From Māori culture to bubbling earth and geysers there is nowhere like it.
There are plenty of things to do in Rotorua, but with limited time, these are the ones we would prioritize:
- See a geyser or other geothermal activity. Probably the most famous is the Pohutu Geyser inside Te Puia, but note that it can also be seen from Whakarewarewa Living Village. The alternative is Waimangu, the world’s youngest geothermal region.
- Enjoy a Māori cultural performance.
- Look up in awe at the Redwood forest.
While there are plenty of independent tours to choose from, and your ship will probably offer several more, these are the ones that look best to us, based on reviews and what they cover:
Rotorua Highlights (7.5 hours)
Rotorua Geothermal Wonderland (6 hours)
Waimangu & Lake Rotomahana (7 hours)
If none of these appeals to you, you might want to consider a private tour. Don’t let the price scare you, as it’s per tour rather than per person, and the private guide we recommend can take up to 8 people for that price, but it’s your group, so if you just want one or two, the price is the same. Reserve your private tour here.
If Hobbiton is your pick . . .
Hobbiton, the magical movie set from The Lord of the Rings, is about an hour inland from Tauranga. Nestled in the lush countryside, Hobbiton offers a whimsical glimpse into the world of Middle-earth, complete with picturesque hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and the enchanting Party Tree.
The only way to experience this unique attraction is through a guided tour provided by Hobbiton. The tour highlights include wandering through the charming village, visiting Bilbo Baggins’ house, and enjoying a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Getting to Hobbiton from the Tauranga cruise port is straightforward, and several tour operators offer convenient transportation.
Our recommended tour is loaded with impressive reviews. It includes an added stop at McLaren Falls Park to enjoy the area’s natural beauty and multilayered waterfall. Reserve your Hobbiton tour here.
What to do in one day in Tauranga / Mt Maunganui
If you are not headed to Rotorua or Hobbiton, there are plenty of other Tauranga shore excursions. Our favourite things to do in the Bay of Plenty include:
- Climb Mt Maunganui
- Relax at the beach
- Enjoy McLaren Falls Park and the waterfall
- Visit a kiwi fruit orchard in Te Puke
Walking off the ship and explore on your own
If you are energetic, it’s just a short walk from the ship to either Mt Maunganui or the beach, and there is most likely plenty of time to do both.
Walking at a normal pace, it will take just under an hour from the ship to the summit of Mt Maunganui. Here, enjoy spectacular views over the bay and harbour. In fact, if you are not a fan of uphill walking, you can get great views over the beach from about halfway up.
From the summit down to the beach will take about 30 minutes, and then there is time to enjoy one of NZ’s best beaches before heading back to your ship, a 20 minute walk.
Take a tour If you don’t want to walk
The ship will most likely offer an array of tour options to match everyone’s interests. Our recommended independent tour will take you to a few spots in Mount Maunganui and also a few nearby, like the beautiful and peaceful McLaren Falls Park and a kiwifruit orchard.
If an independent tour is your option, this one visits all the spots we just suggested. Reserve your Tauranga Bay of Plenty shore excursion here.
Note that the Tauranga waterfront and playground are under a major renovation, and the key sites there are currently unavailable. (scheduled to reopen Nov 2024)
Where to next: What to do at each of the New Zealand cruise ports
If you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss our general tips for first-time visitors to New Zealand or our overview of cruising in New Zealand. We have written more on each cruise port here:
Check Cruise Direct for deals on New Zealand and Australia cruises
What to bring when cruising in New Zealand
Good news. We offer several free packing lists, including one for cruise travel. If you are like us and like to have everything you need, but not tons of extra stuff, check out these tips for packing light while cruising.
Don’t miss our best cruise tips
More tips and resources for your cruise
Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Cruise: We find great deals at Cruise Direct.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Set up private guides at the ports: Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often use private guides from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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How will you spend your one day from the Tauranga cruise port?
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Shaf
This is such a great resource – and you’re totally right, they all look like winners! It’d be so hard to choose so it’s pretty nifty that you found a way to do 2 out of 3 at once because that’s definitely what I’d do to miss out on as lil as possible 😂
Mayi
There are so many amazing places to explore here, but if I had to narrow it down, Hobbiton and Rotorua would definitely be at the top of my must-see list.
Jenn | By Land and Sea
I would have a hard time picking which one to do – they all look great! I also think I’d be too nervous to try to do both in one stop, even if I did have enough time in port. I’d probably have to go with Hobbiton as an avid LOTR watcher, but they all look like cool spots!
Anja
The Beach. Every Time. Although Rotorua looks gorgeous, the beach wins.
Pam
I loved Tauranga when we visited and only saw Rotorua from a distance, so I’d have to choose that one, but it’s a tough call! Great tips though for navigating the cruise port!
Jillian
Hobbiton is an absolute dream of mine! I had no idea you could visit from a cruise though! Great info to have!
Sonia
I’d have a hard time deciding between Rotorua and Tauranga, I think I’ll need to plan for both.
Jessica Meinhofer
It would be so tough to pick from all of these!! Hobbiton would be fun, but I don’t always do the touristy thing. I like the idea of just walking off the cruise ship and doing my own thing. That’s what I’ve done during all my cruises. I’m more of a budget traveler.
Alex+J.+Cavanaugh
I’ll admit it, Hobbiton is a must-see if I ever visit New Zealand.