The Historic Village
The Historic Village
4
About
Whether you want to buy art, attend a workshop, see a movie, get a haircut, host a meeting, get married, use a social service or get in some retail therapy from one of our boutique shops, you need to experience what is on offer here at one of Tauranga’s best kept secrets. You will find an amazing collection of original and replica buildings from early Tauranga nestled in amongst gorgeous gardens and natural bush surrounds. Seven indoor and outdoor venues are available for hire to accommodate meetings, functions and special events. The Historic Village grounds are open seven days a week and entry is free.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.0
114 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
50
Average
30
Poor
4
Terrible
5
CMJ
Tenterden, UK4 contributions
Feb 2020
We visited this whilst staying with a friend in Tauranga. We arrived at 9.45 am to find all the marked parking bays full in what appeared to be it's dedicated car park. There were however many vehicles parked outside the bays. I followed suit although parking much more tidily, not blocking anything. When we entered the village we were surprised to see it almost devoid of people which seemed odd judging by the parked cars. We returned after an hour to find a 60# parking ticket on the screen. When we spoke to a local he commented that most of the spaces were taken early by people working in nearby commercial premises & the local hospital & the wardens treated this spot as a "cash cow" for fleecing vistors so they visted regularly. I did protest but to no avail. Regarding the village, not really that much to see & most shops were closed(!!) so we would say give it a miss. Not a great advert for the NZ tourist industry. Nice coffee in the cafe though!
Written 11 March 2020
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.
Jack Evanz
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Went on a Sunday morning in January to see the market stalls. Vey few stalls with little of interest so waste of time and petrol. Overpriced junk for sale. Do yourself a favor and ignore this event, you won't be missing anything.
Written 17 July 2020
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.
mdh969
Canberra, Australia1,039 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
We went to the Historic Village in Tauranga today
Really was not much to see. A lot of the shops were closed on Monday as well. We were probably out of there in 15 minutes.
If you had nothing else to do and wanted to kill some time you may want to go.
Really was not much to see. A lot of the shops were closed on Monday as well. We were probably out of there in 15 minutes.
If you had nothing else to do and wanted to kill some time you may want to go.
Written 13 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.
Hubert Armstrong
22 contributions
Jan 2023
the historic village in Tauranga is much like any other historic village in the world but this is New Zeealand! Just about the furtherest spot that Captain Cook made it to. Looking back a couple of hundred years this village gives some ider of how things were then
Written 23 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.
davidwilliambarnes
Blackpool, UK1,542 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We took our granddaughter for a walk today in the Historic Village. First of all there was hardly anyone there, which is surprising as it is the school holidays. Secondly, a lot of shops / stores were shut. This is a great pity as the village has so much potential.
Written 20 January 2020
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.
Hannahdog1234
Perth, Australia44 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
Ye Olden town is a picturesque step back in time. Arrive there with an empty stomach and stuff yourself with treats from the onsite bakery. Duck into the record store and while away more time and leave with any genre of music you like. I left with a fossilised shark tooth from the gem store (type unknown). If you are in desperate need of a hair cut then the barber can sort your unruly locks. If you have an hour or two to spare, do yourself a favour.
Written 20 November 2024
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.
Julie A
Tauranga, New Zealand89 contributions
Jan 2023
although a small area this is a fun place to stop and experience the past with cute little shops and a Farmers Market on a regular basis. Often they run a special focus and have bands which all adds to the ambience. No charge to enter so a nice family stop to embrace the past
Written 18 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.
Natalie R
Napier, New Zealand2 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Do not visit here if you are expecting a museum. If you remember it from its heyday in the 80s, when the interior of each replica building was filled with antiques, usually in a replica historical setting (like a home, shop, school) of yesteryear, then you will be sorely disappointed. It also used to have a working train, and horse/cart rides, and some working displays like blacksmiths.
Anyway, it wasn't attracting enough visitors, so apparently the entire collection (bar one home next to the church) was put in storage years ago, and now the buildings are occupied by businesses, organisations and the like. Eg, Men's Shed, Card Making, Radio, Elderly daycare...
If you've never been before, you can still get a sense of nostalgia by wandering around, and there are several shops that sell things plus a cafe, so it would still be worth an hour of your time. But if you did see it in when it was truly a historic village in every sense, don't ruin fond memories by going back now.
Anyway, it wasn't attracting enough visitors, so apparently the entire collection (bar one home next to the church) was put in storage years ago, and now the buildings are occupied by businesses, organisations and the like. Eg, Men's Shed, Card Making, Radio, Elderly daycare...
If you've never been before, you can still get a sense of nostalgia by wandering around, and there are several shops that sell things plus a cafe, so it would still be worth an hour of your time. But if you did see it in when it was truly a historic village in every sense, don't ruin fond memories by going back now.
Written 22 November 2014
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.
60stravellers2014
Tauranga, New Zealand362 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
Its a shame that this place is not on the cruise ship visiting list- early NZ history all set out in lovely grounds-the old buildings have been kept in good condition and there is a lot of activities going on here
Written 29 November 2014
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.
Phillip B
Palmerston North, New Zealand227 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
Great collection of old buildings but not a pioneer village where you get to see inside them.It as almost like the council are trying to hide a lot of community groups away from the public eye.
Written 27 February 2014
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.
what does it cost for entry, & what are the opening hours for Friday Jan 12th 2018
Written 9 November 2017
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