Food & Drink
6–7 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 90% of travellers
90% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$185
per adult
Tauranga Tasting Tours
Tauranga Tasting Tours
Tauranga Tasting Tours
5
Full view
About
We are a small transport company that specialises in food & wine venues. However, we can be chartered to go to venues that are not food/liquor related e.g. Shows, sports events etc. During the cruise-ship season, we travel to Rotorua's thermal delights & the Waitomo Caves. We are frequently chartered for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, Hens’ Parties etc., so that people can fit the celebration to their venue type /budget, date & number constraints. Our tours are door-to-door from within the Tauranga/Mt Maunganui/early Papamoa area. We travel out of town to Sunday Lunches approximately once a month, and provide mid-week tours. We often visit gardens & garden festivals. Our Local Tasting Tour is our most popular tour. It visits Karangahake Winery (wine presentation & shared platters)The Wine Portfolio for a wine presentation & tasting (Leveret & Mills Reef wines). We then return to Tauranga's CBD for a cocktail & dessert at Takara Restaurant.
Tours and Tickets by Tauranga Tasting Tours
Bus Tours
6 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$325
per adult
Full-day Tours
6–7 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$1,176
per group
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5.0
92 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Tracey F
5 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Fabulous tour with Paul (owner of Tauranga Tasting Tours) .. Paul took us to the Waitomo Caves and the Kiwi House. The tour was extensive and Paul was professional and so knowledgeable! We loved the tour to see the glowworms and we even got to see a Kiwi bird at the sanctuary (very exciting because these birds are nocturnal and very elusive!). We had a wonderful day and highly recommend this tour company!
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this comprehensive review. Paul loves what he does and getting to meet new people. We're so glad the tour was to your liking.
Written 25 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bonnie P
Philadelphia, PA30 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
The tour was pretty good but for the unnecessary commentary from our guide Paul. He was especially harsh when describing properties now owned by The Māori and how they've done nothing with it 'as usual'. I personally did not appreciate his negative slant on the entire Māori population. He should have kept his predudices to himself. It was a real spoiler for us. The places he took us to , the caves, the Kiwi House and the honey producer were great, however his lunch spot was seedy with exceptionally poor service.
I would not recommend this tour with this particular guide. Time for him to retire.
I would not recommend this tour with this particular guide. Time for him to retire.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
We really wish you had talked to Paul about his views so that he could have elucidated his thoughts. Paul was brought up on a farm & he & his brothers spent a lot of their time keeping the farm in good condition, eliminating noxious weeds & pests & doing fencing etc. So, yes, it does rankle him to see poorly-kept rural properties, no matter by whom they are owned.
We would dispute that he is racist. This is NZ &, like many other Kiwis, he has innumerable cared-for close relatives of both Maori & other descents. Many of them play sport & he is an avid follower of their performance & often pays to support them in tournaments.
His wife has produced products to facilitate Maori language learning & he has helped to fund that.
He has often taken clients to marae & enjoyed participating in Welcomes & Maori protocols.
He is an older man & not PC, at times, but had you talked to him & challenged him about his views, you may have received a better understanding of them & him.
The usual lunch venue was closed, so clients were told to choose anywhere they wished. Lunch is optional & paid for by the client on the day.
Written 28 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate S
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Excellent day on. Paul, thank you so much for the tour! The Waitomo cave is incredible! It was an informative conversation and a pleasant journey!
Written 24 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thank you for your comments. Yes, although it's a long trip the caves are incredible. We're pleased you had an enjoyable experience.
Written 22 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jerry L
Snoqualmie, WA122 contributions
As promised, we were met at the port gate by our guide, Paul Marston. As we were the only ones, we rode in Paul's beautifully maintained Toyota Crown. While disappointing that there was only one winery in the area, Paul had a full day scheduled. We started with a drive to see the area, highlighted by a high elevation lookout point, which showed off the huge port. Then a nice beer and cider tasting, followed by lunch at a marina. Full meal and drink, delicious. Then, the visit to Leveret winery. As a former wine industry employee, Paul gave an informative tasting from bubbles to reds, 8 wines, I believe. Then, back to the marina, where we enjoyed a treat and cocktail. Paul was easy and talk with and the day passed quickly. Kudos to his quick response to return my prescription eyeglasses in forgot in the car before we sailed away.
Written 23 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
So glad you enjoyed your day, despite our usual lunch venue being unavailable. Thank you for taking the time to write this review. We're pleased that you received your glasses!
Written 31 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David
Madrid, Spain9 contributions
Jan 2023
The tour guide was very knowledgeable about wine but also very opinionated to the point of being offensive. The restaurant was wonderful, but the beer stop and cocktail/dessert stops were awful. We were very disappointed.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
We’re disappointed that you didn’t enjoy your day & rather surprised, as we rarely get bad reviews for this tour, as previous reviews demonstrate. Many comment that the excursion is the highlight of their cruise-tours. We really welcome constructive criticism, but this review, unfortunately, gives few specifics on which to work & improve, which is disappointing & unhelpful. Reading between the lines, perhaps a personality clash is apparent?
Written 16 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Suzanne A
1 contribution
My sister and I had a wonderful time visiting a winery, a brewery, a nice restaurant, and a bar restaurant near the Marina in Tauranga. Our tour guide, Paul, was the best. He was very knowledgeable and shared local information while driving us around. Each location we visited was excellent. I highly recommend this tour if you want to get local knowledge and visit several places without having to drive!
Written 10 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thank you for your review. We're pleased you enjoyed the day in our little corner of NZ! Yes, it's a bit more relaxing when you have a Safe Driver!
Written 18 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fiorenzo B
2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Great experience! It was also very relaxing traveling throught the countryside.
Paul, our guide/chauffeur, is a very kind person and he gave plenty of informations to us. Thank you Paul.
Paul, our guide/chauffeur, is a very kind person and he gave plenty of informations to us. Thank you Paul.
Written 1 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thanks so much for taking the time to write a review. Paul thoroughly enjoyed your company & showing you our local treasures! We're so glad you enjoyed the experience.
Written 2 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daibrial
3 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Paul was an excellent guide! A Well paced day, with great quality food, wine, beer and cider throughout!
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thanks so much for your review. We are so pleased the day was to your liking. Paul really appreciated your company & having an enjoyable day with you.
Written 23 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martina W
Tauranga, New Zealand5 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
We did wine testing and cider factory for our friends leaving party. Lyn and Paul were great! Paul had awssome knowledge about wine and was very nice to talk to. We were prety loud girls, but he didn't mind. Great experience for anyone! When my family will come over from Európe i will definitely book this tour again! Highly recommend! Thank you!
Tina and girls ;-)
Tina and girls ;-)
Written 30 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write a review. Paul thoroughly enjoyed his time with you, & we're glad the tour lived up to your expectations. Happy New Year!
Written 2 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fearless12468823322
Tauranga, New Zealand2 contributions
Dec 2021
What a fun day out with like minded people. We visited a wide variety of artisans who happily shared the knowledge and back stories. We got to taste, cheese, Macadamias, wine,chocolate and a great lunch at a seaside cafe. We discovered people and food not generally known, even to the locals. Would go again.
Written 9 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tastingtour
Thank you for taking the time to write a review for one of our newer tours. We're glad that enjoyed the day! We did too!
Written 4 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
julzau
Melbourne, Australia
Hi There,
I am in the process of booking this tour & just have a question regarding the "DROP OFF LOCATION" please?
We will be arriving on the Emerald Princess cruise ship and I am not sure of where the drop off or pick up location is, I only have details of arrival time being 0700 and departure 1800 (6pm)
Can you advise of what I should put in the drop off location please so that I can complete the booking?
Thanks
Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters
Tauranga, New Zealand100 contributions
The pick-up/drop-off location is the Port of Tauranga, where we meet you at the port gate. We hold your name up on a placard.
Mark A
Shetland Islands, UK9 contributions
is there wheelchair access
Tauranga Tasting Tours & Charters
Tauranga, New Zealand100 contributions
Hi Mark.
If the client is able to be helped into the vehicle, we have a luggage compartment that will store a wheelchair. The venues we visit are wheel-chair accessible. Some venues we visit e.g. Te Puia, supply wheel-chairs. Please don't hesitate to get back to us with any further queries about this.