Wondering if Tauranga Bay in New Zealand should be on your bucket list? The short answer is yes! But below are the reasons why you should visit this Northland location along with what to expect.
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Tauranga Bay in New Zealand is a beautiful and secluded beach located in the far north. The beach is known for its fishing, beachfront views and access to other Northland gems.
THE JOURNEY TO TAURANGA BAY
The journey to Tauranga Bay is straightforward, but travel time varies depending on your starting point. You’ll find this gem 4 hours drive from Auckland and 90 minutes if traveling from Whangārei.
Regardless of either of these starting points, most of your drive will be spent along Highway One. Eventually, you’ll veer off onto Highway 10 at Pakaraka, then onto Whangaroa Road, followed by Wainui Road. Finally you will find your destination at the end of Tauranga Bay Road.
TAURANGA BAY BEACH
Tauranga Bay in New Zealand is limited in terms of what it can offer aside from a really incredible beach. This, however is a part of the charming nature of the place. Camping I’ll talk about below but as it is a little out of the way this is a great spot to unwind, swim, read a book and explore. It ultimately forces you to relax, take on the calming nature of the place and just enjoy. Whilst here and as a group of friends, we enjoyed watching waves, strolling the beach, and playing cards. It was bliss.
TAURANGA BAY CAMPING
Camping at Tauranga Bay offers a unique experience of setting up your living space right next to the beach. The campsite layout features tent sites closer to the hill, a driveway for access, and campsites closer to the beach. Booking ahead secured us a beachside spot but with close proximity between sites, you’ll drift off to sleep to the soothing sound of waves no matter where you pitch your tent.
As for amenities, Tauranga Bay offers both powered and unpowered campsites, as well as a selection of cabins. For the campers there are clean facilities, including showers, toilets, and a spacious kitchen with fridge and freezer for groceries. Do make sure that you stock up on provisions beforehand as there are no nearby shops or dairies.
If you want to be a bit more boujee (it has it’s own helicopter landing pad) there is also the option of staying in the lodge, located at the north end of the beach.
NORTHLAND HIKES
MOUNT MANAIA
Mount Manaia is a stunning landmark that is located 30 minutes from Whangarei in Northland. This mountain is one of the most popular walks in the area, offering insane panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and countryside.
The climb to the top takes roughly an hour and can be challenging if you’re not a fan of stairs but the views are well worth the effort.
DUKES NOSE LOOKOUT
Dukes Nose is a 5-6 hours hike that offers stunning 360 views of Waitepipi, Te Were, Pekapeka Bays and beyond at its summit. The trail is located just a short 40 minute drive from Whangarei.
Most of the trail winds its way through the native bush, climbing steadily till you have roughly half an hour of the hike left. From there it is quite a steep ascent to the summit. I did this hike for sunset and it was well worth the early start.
For more info on this hike click here.
ST PAULS ROCK
St Paul’s Rock is a unique natural landmark located in the Tutukaka Coast region of Northland. About 30 minutes from Whangarei and is the closest hike to Tauranga Bay (roughly a 10 minute drive).
The views from the summit look out over the surrounding coastline and countryside. It only takes roughly 20 minutes to get to the top and even though Dukes Nose would still be my favourite, if you are looking for views that are similar without such a hike, St Pauls Rock is your best alternative.
If you want to know more about St Paul’s Rock I have a comprehensive blog post here.
There are so many incredible things to see and do in Northland. For more highly recommended locations, click here.
In this blog post we have covered why Tauranga Bay in New Zealand is undeniably a destination worth adding to your bucket list. Its secluded beauty, pristine beach, and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect spot for unwinding. Whether you’re camping right by the beach, exploring nearby hikes such as Mount Manaia and Dukes Nose Lookout, or simply taking in the breathtaking views, Tauranga Bay is a location in Northland you won’t want to miss.