Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the stories, flavours, and scenic beauty of Tauranga on this immersive four-hour journey combining coastal highlights, fascinating history, and local food experiences. RUNS SEPTEMBER TO APRIL ONLY
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Limited Mobility aid accessibility - Please discuss with tour operator at time of booking.
Passengers must be able to embark / disembark with minimal assistance.
What To Expect
Mount Maunganui
Discover the stories, flavours, and scenic beauty of Tauranga on this immersive four-hour journey combining coastal highlights, fascinating history, and local food experiences. Departing from the Tauranga Port Gates, the tour begins with a scenic drive past Mount Maunganui and a stop at the famous Mount Main Beach, renowned for its golden sands, surf, and iconic volcanic landscape. From there, we travel through the Port of Tauranga, New Zealand’s largest export port, where you’ll gain insight into the harbour’s vital role in the region’s economy, international trade, and shipping industry.
Tauranga
Crossing the Tauranga Harbour Bridge into the city, we explore some of Tauranga’s most significant historic sites. At the Elms Mission Station, one of New Zealand’s oldest heritage buildings, we uncover the early missionary history of the region and the first interactions between Māori and European settlers. We then visit Monmouth Redoubt and Robbins Park, where the dramatic events of the New Zealand Wars are brought vividly to life. Hear the story of the Battle of Gate Pā, one of the most remarkable battles of the colonial era, along with the land confiscations that followed and ultimately shaped the modern city of Tauranga.
Options
Tauranga Shore Excursion: History & Kiwifruit Tasting – 4 Hours
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Live commentary onboard
Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Professional local driver-guide
Tastings of kiwifruit, avocado, and locally sourced tea
Food and drinks (unless specified)
Gratuities
Fruit picking (samples only provided)
Souvenir Shopping
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
169 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended
Gordon T,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A very enjoyable tour. We were 20 minutes early but the rest were even earlier, so we started the tour 15 minutes early. Covered a lot of the area from different spots around the coastline and viewpoints. Russel, the owner, obviously knew his stuff so was very informative. The kiwi fruit tasting may sound underwhelming, but it capped the tour off. Tasted three different types, plus avocado and avocado oils, and local spicy sauces. All this at a kiwi plantation where you see them on the plants.
This was a very good tour...
Mary B,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a very good tour with a small group. We enjoyed seeing the Kiwi farm and tasting 3 different kinds of Kiwi fruit.
Good cruise ship excursion
Terry G,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good tour. Our driver Russell was great. Very knowledgeable and informative. Tour was right on time.
Great tour
Julia v,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tours guide with great experience of the area.Took us to see kiwifruit and tasting as well as the full history of kiwifruit and Taursnga.
AWESOME! Great experience
Gail G,Mar 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a beautiful drive. Our Guide, Russell, gave a wonderful history commentary. He prepared a great sampling along with the history of Kiwi fruit. It was a great tour!!
Good overall....
Willie B,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Good overall. Knowledgeable guide/driver. @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
I need to find golden kiwi fruit!
sparkinator99,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion covered all the bases. We had a ride through beautiful countryside, had a marvelous and informative guide name Saskia, and we got to visit a kiwi farm/orchard. The folks at the visitor center very likely get tired of serving tea and biscuits to visitors, but they were all just lovely. A group of Maori dancers and singers entertained us, which was a wonderful experience. I cannot say enough good things about the delicious gold strain of kiwi fruit. It is not as sweet as a green kiwi, which I liked about it. Plus the golden kiwi was developed with an edible skin. I doubt I will ever get to try the newest strain of kiwi, which has a red center, but maybe some day. For now, I’ll be looking for the golden kiwi!
A good day out
906chas1953,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A nice day out. We saw a number of areas we had not seen, tasted some samples and saw a beautiful view of the area from up high. Our host was knowledgable and personable and able to answer our questions easily and with interest.
Feeling disappointed
Patricia P,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00We feel very let down and disappointed in this tour as we did not have the tea tasting nor did we stop at the cafe pointed out to us by the driver as we drove past as it was closed. I would expect a professional tour company to make sure the establishments we were meant to visit were in fact open for business and not closed. After several requests to visit a souvenir shop we were dropped in Tauranga town and made to make our own way back to ship well before the conclusion of the tour.
So good
Steve P,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Pick up was perfect. Mini bus was really comfortable. And our tour guide, Russell, was so articulate and interesting. So it all added up to an excellent trip
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Operated by Wicked Wanders Tours