Tauranga & Mount Maunganui Car Rental: Bay of Plenty Coastal Drive Guide
The best way to get around Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and the wider Bay of Plenty is with a car that matches what you've actually got planned. Pick up at our Tauranga City depot on Fifteenth Avenue or arrange a seamless collection at Tauranga Airport, then choose your vehicle around the trip: something nimble for the CBD, an SUV if you're packing surfboards or heading over the Kaimai Range, and a bit of extra care around Maunganui Road and Hewletts Road once the summer crowds arrive.
We're a Bay of Plenty team through and through, and this guide is here to help you get around like one of us, safely, without the stress, and without paying over the odds for it. We've also pulled together some tips from locals and well-reviewed local favourites along the way, so you're not just relying on us.
Getting Around Tauranga, the Airport & the Coast
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui are joined by a handful of key routes, and knowing them makes a real difference to how relaxed your trip feels. Takitimu Drive is the main expressway linking the airport and the western side of the city to the CBD and the harbour bridge, while Hewletts Road and the Matapihi arterial links carry the bulk of the traffic crossing between the mainland and the Mount.
In summer, that traffic can build up fast. Oceanbeach Road, Maunganui Road and the Hewletts Road corridor are the ones to watch, particularly on a fine afternoon when everyone else has had the same idea about heading to the beach. A little local knowledge about which route to take, and when, goes a long way.
RaD Tauranga Team Tip
“If you're picking up at Tauranga Airport or heading over the harbour bridge during summer, allow an extra 20 minutes between 3.00pm and 5.30pm, Hewletts Road can get tight, but taking Takitimu Drive often bypasses the worst of the CBD pinch points.”
Where Locals Eat: Devonport Road & The CBD
Own Masala comes up again and again as a local favourite for curry, particularly the saagwala and butter chicken.
Bread Head is the pick for coffee and baked goods, locals rate the olive fougasse and the vegemite and cheese twist.
Falafel Metro and Chicken Fryday, both on Devonport Road, are two more names that come up often for a quick CBD lunch.
Source: r/Tauranga, “Tauranga Eats”
Crossing the Kaimai Range Safely
If your trip takes you towards Hamilton or the Waikato, State Highway 29 over the Kaimai Range is the route you'll use, and it deserves a bit of respect. It's a winding, steep road shared with a steady stream of logging trucks and other heavy freight, and mountain weather can close in quickly, bringing sudden rain and patches of low-visibility fog even on a day that started out clear at sea level.
A hire car with responsive engine power, good tyre tread, and brakes you trust makes the whole crossing far less stressful. Keep a safe distance behind slower trucks, use a lower gear on the descents rather than riding the brakes, and treat any sudden change in the weather as your cue to ease off the pace.
RaD Tauranga Team Tip
“Give logging trucks plenty of room on the Kaimais, they're slower than they look and take longer to stop. If the cloud drops or the rain starts suddenly, ease right back. It's a beautiful drive, but it's not one to rush.”
Parking at the Mount & Along the Beachfront
Mauao and the beaches around it are the reason a lot of people come to Tauranga in the first place, and the beachfront itself is still very much open. Marine Parade and the streets around the base of the Mount fill up quickly once the sun's out, and the calmer waters of Pilot Bay draw their own steady stream of visitors.
One important update for anyone planning to walk up Mauao itself: the summit and base tracks have been closed since a weather event on 21 January 2026, and as of the most recent information available (September 2026), they remain closed while safety assessments and repair work continue. Please check Bay of Plenty's official Mauao summit walk status page and the Tauranga City Council Mauao update for the latest before you travel, rather than relying on this guide alone; track access can change at short notice.
The good news is that Pilot Bay and the main beachfront walkways around the base are open and just as popular with visitors as the summit ever was, so a trip to the Mount is still very much worth it, just with your feet staying closer to sea level for now.
An early start still makes a genuine difference here. Arriving before mid-morning in summer usually means an easy park close to the action, while the same trip after 11am can mean a longer walk from one of the fringe streets further back from the beachfront. Keep an eye on clearway signage too; residential streets near the beach are enforced more strictly than visitors expect.
RaD Tauranga Team Tip
“With the summit closed, we're sending guests to Pilot Bay and the beachfront circuit instead; it's flat, family-friendly and every bit as scenic. Get there before 9.30am in summer for an easy park, any later and we'd suggest the fringe streets rather than waiting it out on Marine Parade.”
Where Locals Go: Mauao Alternatives While The Tracks Are Closed
Papamoa Hills Regional Park is the recommendation that comes up most often, a moderate walk with panoramic views across the Bay of Plenty (rated 4.4/5 from 72 reviews on Tripadvisor as of writing).
The Pilot Bay to Main Beach circuit around the base of the Mount is flat, scenic and supports the local coffee shops along the way.
Te Puna Quarry Park is a quirky, sculpture-filled walk inland, described by locals as a longer walk but with amazing views.
Source: r/Tauranga, “First time tourist in Tauranga”
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Bay of Plenty Trip
The right car for Tauranga really comes down to what you're carrying and where you're headed. A couple exploring the CBD has very different needs to a family loading up surfboards, chilly bins and beach umbrellas for a week at Papamoa. Use the table below as a starting point, and talk to our team about roof racks or extra boot space for your specific trip.
| Vehicle Class | Recommended Trip Profile | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Hatchback | CBD travel, couples, budget-conscious commuting around town. | Fuel-efficient and easy to park in the CBD and around the Mount base. |
| Sedan / Station Wagon | Family trips with luggage, airport transfers, comfortable touring. | Easy boot storage and a smooth ride for longer highway stretches. |
| SUV / AWD | Surfboards, beach gear, and drives over the Kaimai Range. | Extra load space, roof rack options, and confident handling on the hills. |
| 8-Seater People Mover | Multi-generational family groups and sports teams. | Maximum passenger capacity and shared rental cost across the group. |
Not sure which category suits your trip? Our full fleet guide breaks down every vehicle class in more detail, and it's worth reading through our insurance and cover options before you book too, especially if you're planning on the Kaimai crossing.
One practical note for your return: our Fifteenth Avenue depot sits directly across from the U-GO self-serve petrol station, easy to spot by the Big Marlin Fish out front, so topping up the tank on your way back to us is about as convenient as it gets.
Day Trips Worth the Detour
Papamoa Beach
A relaxed drive along the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) gets you to Papamoa's long, open coastline in good time, with plenty of easy suburban cruising once you're there.
McLaren Falls Park
Inland from the city, McLaren Falls Park is the pick for a change of pace, freshwater falls, native bush and a bit of gentle hill climbing on the access roads in. Worth a half-day if you want a break from the coast. Note that nearby Kaiate Falls is currently closed (as per the Western Bay of Plenty District Council page), so McLaren Falls is the safer bet for now.
Historic Village & Rainy-Day Options
On a wet day, or just for a change of scene, the Historic Village on Seventeenth Avenue is a favourite with locals, artisan shops, cafes, galleries and a lolly shop worth the visit alone. The CBD's murals and sidewalk mosaics are another good option for stretching your legs without needing the car.
Rotorua Geothermal Hub
Via SH36 (Pyes Pa Road), Rotorua's geothermal parks and cultural experiences are around 45 minutes away (treat this as an approximate drive time, and check current conditions if you're travelling at a busy time of year), making it a genuinely easy day trip from Tauranga. If you'd rather pick up locally in Rotorua for a multi-stop itinerary, our Rotorua branch can help with that too.
Where Locals Go & Eat: Further Afield
Kewpie Harbour Cruises runs a scenic inner-harbour tour with a stop at Matakana Island, a nice option if you'd rather be on the water than in the car for an afternoon.
The Cider Factorie in Te Puna is recommended for a relaxed lunch stop if you're heading out that way.
Patrick's Pies (Tauriko and Bethlehem) is the one locals mention for a road-trip pie, described as frequently placing in the country's pie of the year awards.
Source: r/Tauranga, “First time tourist in Tauranga” and “Tauranga Eats”
Also Worth Booking: Well-Reviewed Picks
A few names that consistently show up with strong ratings on Tripadvisor if you want a sit-down meal without relying on word of mouth alone:
Umami (Japanese/Asian, Pyes Pa) and Macau Bar Kitchen and Lounge (Asian fusion, The Strand) both come up with hundreds of reviews and ratings above 4.4/5.
Eighty Eight Cafe and Vitality Organics are two of the best-reviewed cafes at the Mount for breakfast or a bliss bowl.
Source: Tripadvisor listings for Tauranga restaurants and Mount Maunganui cafes (ratings and review counts as at time of writing; please check at time of reading)
Ready to Explore the Bay of Plenty?
Planning a Bay of Plenty getaway? Book your rental car with RaD Car Hire Tauranga today, with transparent pricing and no inflated airport counter surcharges.
Heading to the beach or over the Kaimais? Check live rates and reserve the right vehicle for your trip now.
Related reading: our Tauranga City branch page, the full vehicle fleet guide, insurance and cover options, our New Zealand toll road guide, and our Tauranga & Mount Maunganui travel guide for more on things to see and do.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go (FAQs)
How does RaD Car Hire Tauranga Airport pick-up work?
Airport pick-up and drop-off is arranged in advance as part of your booking, so your car is ready to go as soon as you land, no counter queue required.
Where is the RaD Car Hire Tauranga depot located?
Our city depot is at 19 Fifteenth Avenue, directly opposite the U-GO self-serve petrol station and easy to spot by the Big Marlin Fish out front.
Is Mount Maunganui (Mauao) currently open to visitors?
The beaches, Pilot Bay and the beachfront around the base of the Mount are open as normal. The summit and base walking tracks have been closed since a weather event on 21 January 2026 and remain closed while safety work continues. Please check the official Bay of Plenty and Tauranga City Council pages for the latest status before you travel.
What size car is best for driving up Mount Maunganui and over the Kaimai Range?
A compact car is fine for getting around the Mount base and beachfront, but for the Kaimai Range we'd recommend an SUV or AWD for the extra confidence on the gradient and the load space if you're carrying gear.
Are there toll roads in Tauranga, and how do I pay them?
The Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) is a toll road, payable online through NZTA's tolling system within the required window. The Takitimu Drive Toll Road, formerly known as Route K Toll Road, is a 5km road that bypasses the Tauranga city centre and takes traffic from State Highway 29 (SH29) to State Highway 2 (SH2) in the direction of the Port of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.
Can I fit surfboards and beach gear in a rental car?
Yes, our SUV and station wagon options have the space for boards, umbrellas and chilly bins, and roof racks can be added for longer boards; just let our team know when you book.
What is the minimum driver age to hire a car with RaD Tauranga?
21 years old. Please check with our team on current licence and age requirements when you book, as these can vary by vehicle category.