Tauranga, New Zealand: For us it was a day to relax

After leaving port at Auckland on our Pacific Ocean Cruise, it was onto Tauranga for our third and final stop in New Zealand. The cruise ships berth at the Port of Tauranga, which is just 1km from the township of Mount Maunganui, and 7km (4.2 miles) from Tauranga city. Upon arrival in port we were greeted by friendly and helpful locals who were happy to supply visitors with maps and information. While in port the shops, cafés and golden-sand beach of nearby Mount Maunganui are all within walking distance. Since our last two stops in New Zealand were wine adventure we chose to relax and explore Tauranga.

Tauranga's Mount Maunganui, New Zealand © Spaswinefood

Tauranga's Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Tauranga, New Zealand

As we exited the terminal, five minutes later we are headed towards Mount Maunganui’s to enjoy those waterfront walks. As you exit left to walk along the Pilot Bay Harbor area you will find scenic walks around and up Mount Maunganui (the hill at the opposite end of the port). 

 Off to Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Waling towards Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Tauranga’s Mount Maunganui is an idyllic beach and popular holiday spot. This laid-back suburb is known for the extinct Mount Maunganui volcano, and a sacred Maori site with ocean-view hiking trails. Visitors can explore its long, sandy Main Beach popular for its surf breaks, while Pilot Bay Beach has calm waters for paddle boarding. Its Mount Hot Pools complex offers saltwater bathing and spa treatments.

Main Beach, Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Further along on the main beach area there were food trucks.

Main Beach, Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Of course there were folks enjoying a day beachside.

Main Beach, Mount Maunganui © Spaswinefood

Soon we were back at our cruise ship, getting ready to head back out to sea, and onwards to Fiji.

 Cruise Ship, Port of Tauranga, New Zealand © Spaswinefood

 Last Glimpse of Mount Mannganui, New Zealand © Spaswinefood

Cruise ships docking in Tauranga offer many tour options, and optional day trips to Rotorua, which is approximately one hours drive from the Port of Tauranga. Rotorua's, boiling mud pools, geysers and natural hot springs offer unique experiences for those seeking such geothermal adventures. Tauranga and Rotorua are both rich in Māori history. Our Tauranga stop was a nice change of pace, to round out our New Zealand wine travel explorations. Earlier, we did wine country explorations in Bay of Islands and Waiheke Island, near Auckland. For us, Tauranga was a place to relax before moving onwards.

Exploring New Zealand

New Zealand last April, even though our cruise ship visits, offered limited time in port, we did manage to gain first-hand insights into Northland (Bay of Islands) wine country. Hence our wine stops required some careful, advance planning to maximize our wine country explorations. No matter where and how I travel, wine is always a focus for my explorations. New Zealand was no exception. If you think New Zealand has only Sauvignon Blanc then pay attention. While it is home to some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blancs, it offers much more in terms of wine diversity! It has eleven wine regions, with each region further divided into sub-regions. During our April visit to the North Island on a cruise ship I only managed to gain first-hand insights into two of its wine regions, Northland (Bay of Islands), and Auckland (Waiheke Island). It definitely required advance planning on my part to maximize our wine country explorations with a limited time in port.

We so enjoyed our very first tasting in New Zealand at Marsden Estate, Bay of Islands.

Wine Tasting with Lunch Platter, Marsden Estate © Spaswinefood

Marsden Estate, Bay of Islands © Spaswinefood

Mean while on Waiheke Island we visited Stonyridge Vineyard.

Stonyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island © Spaswinefood

Next, we headed back across the island to Mudbrick Vineyard. 

Mudbrick Vineyard,Waiheke Island © Spaswinefood

Mudbrick Vineyard just happens to be one of the best wineries on the island, with awesome views. Given this winery has an excellent restaurant we decided to have lunch and order some of their premium wines to taste.

Relaxing at Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke Island © Spaswinefood

Rather than do a wine tasting in the tasting room at Mudbrick we elected to order two of their Reserve Chardonnays, and their Reserve Syrah to taste during lunch.

Given these two earlier wine country stops, Tauranga, New Zealand for us, was an ideal place to relax for a day in port, or maybe take a spa day at the Mount Hot Pools complex. This option is ideal given considerable time is needed to explore New Zealand's wine regions. Given our limited time on land in New Zealand we were able to briefly visit only two wine regions (Bay of Islands, Northland and Auckland's Waiheke Island) on the North Island. For sure my brief intro to the North Island's wine country while cruising the New Zealand's coast has inspired me to learn more, and enhanced my desire for future wine travels on the South Island. I invite you to join me in my travels in New Zealand and elsewhere at  Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook. I look forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in New Zealand. 

CHEERS!

Sharon

April 2024

Tauranga, New Zealand 

© Spaswinefood

Port of Tauranga, New Zealand © Spaswinefood

Auckland, New Zealand © Spaswinefood

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We did so enjoy those earlier introductions to New Zealand Wine Country. In terms of wine insights I left obviously with many questions and ideas to explore later. For sure visiting wine country while cruising the New Zealand's coast  has inspired me to learn more, and enhanced my desire for future wine travels in the South Island. I invite you to join me in my travels in New Zealand and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook. I look forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in New Zealand.