Tauranga & Mount Maunganui with Kids: 7 Best Family Beaches, Waterparks & Animal Encounters
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Tauranga & Mount Maunganui with Kids: 7 Best Family Beaches, Waterparks & Animal Encounters

Tauranga & Mount Maunganui with Kids: 7 Best Family Beaches, Waterparks & Animal Encounters

Blessed with mild subtropical sunshine, golden Pacific coastlines, and a relaxed beach town culture, Tauranga and Mount Maunganui (Tauranga Moana) are premier holiday destinations for families with young children.

Whether your children want to splash in the gentle wave-free waters of Pilot Bay, zoom down the North Island’s biggest indoor hydroslide at Baywave, climb inside vintage fighter jets, or feed friendly emus and kunekune pigs, the Bay of Plenty delivers safe, low-stress family fun.

Here is your essential parent-tested guide to Tauranga with kids.

🏖️ 1. Paddle & Build Sandcastles at Pilot Bay (Mount Maunganui)

While Mount Maunganui’s Main Ocean Beach is famous for heavy surf breaks, Pilot Bay (on the sheltered harbour side of the peninsula) is the ultimate sanctuary for toddlers and young children.

With crystal-clear, calm waters and zero ocean swell, it is perfectly safe for toddlers to wade and splash. The shoreline is shaded by sprawling pōhutukawa trees, and the grassy boardwalk features multiple picnic tables, clean public restrooms with outdoor showers, and plenty of space for sandcastles.

  • Family Activity: Rent a family stand-up paddleboard or double kayak from the beach kiosk, and watch massive cargo ships and cruise liners glide through the harbour channel.
  • Location: The Mall, Mount Maunganui.
  • Admission: Free.

🌊 2. Ride Giant Hydroslides & Waves at Baywave TECT Aquatic Centre

Located in Bayfair (Mount Maunganui), Baywave is the largest indoor aquatic leisure park in the Bay of Plenty.

The complex is packed with family water features:

  • The Wave Pool: Features simulated ocean waves every 20 minutes with zero-depth beach entry for toddlers.
  • The Hydro-Slide: A high-speed, 70-metre spiralling tube slide for older kids and teens.
  • Toddler Splash Zone: Warm shallow pools (32°C) equipped with interactive water jets, tipping buckets, and mini slides.
  • Location: Corner Girven Road and Gloucester Road, Mount Maunganui.
  • Hours: Open weekdays 6:00 am – 9:00 pm; weekends 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
  • Admission: Family Pass approx. $32.00 NZD; Under 2s Free.

✈️ 3. Climb into Vintage Cockpits at Classic Flyers Aviation Museum

Located beside Tauranga Airport, Classic Flyers NZ is an interactive aviation museum where kids are actively encouraged to touch and explore.

Children can climb directly into the cockpits of real vintage aircraft, sit at the controls of military helicopters, dress up in pilot flying suits, and ride pedal planes around the hangar floor. The museum also features a fantastic outdoor aviation-themed playground.

  • AvGas Cafe: The on-site cafe has highchairs, an extensive kids' menu, and large glass windows where kids can watch real commercial airplanes take off and land on the runway.
  • Location: 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mount Maunganui.
  • Hours: Open daily 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
  • Admission: Family Pass approx. $38.00 NZD; Under 5s Free.

🐑 4. Cuddle Animals at Marshall's Animal Park

Set across 35 acres of rolling green farmland in the lower Kaimai Ranges (beside McLaren Falls), Marshall's Animal Park offers an unpretentious, hands-on animal adventure.

Kids receive large buckets of animal feed on arrival to feed and pet friendly alpacas, sheep, bottle-fed lambs, Texas longhorn cattle, miniature horses, emus, and giant friendly pigs. There is also a massive playground with flying foxes and covered picnic areas.

  • Location: McLaren Falls Road, Omanawa, Tauranga (20 mins from downtown).
  • Hours: Open daily 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (weather permitting).
  • Admission: Family Pass approx. $45.00 NZD; Under 2s Free.

♨️ 5. Splash in Heated Saltwater at Mount Hot Pools

Nestled right at the base of Mauao, the Mount Hot Pools features geothermally heated ocean saltwater.

While adults relax in the 39°C mineral relaxation spas, families love the dedicated Active & Toddler Pool (33°C to 35°C), which features shallow sloping water, water spouts, and fun floating pool noodles.

  • Location: 9 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui.
  • Hours: Open Monday to Saturday 6:00 am – 10:00 pm; Sunday 7:00 am – 10:00 pm.
  • Admission: Family Pass approx. $52.00 NZD.

🛶 6. Slip and Slide at Waimarino Water Park

Situated on the banks of the Wairoa River just 10 minutes from Tauranga, Waimarino Adventure Park is an epic summer outdoor playground.

Kids can launch themselves off the famous Waimarino Blob (giant inflatable catapult), zoom down the world’s only kayak water slide, jump on floating river trampolines, climb overwater climbing walls, and paddle Canadian canoes.

  • Location: 36 Taniwha Place, Bethlehem, Tauranga.
  • Hours: Open daily in summer (November to April) 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
  • Admission: Supreme Activity Pass approx. $55.00 NZD per person.

🗺️ Tauranga Family Day Blueprint

  • 9:30 AM (Calm Beach & Sandcastles): Start at Pilot Bay in Mount Maunganui for shallow water paddling.
  • 12:00 PM (Aviation Fun & Lunch): Head to Classic Flyers for pilot dress-up and lunch in the AvGas Cafe.
  • 2:00 PM (Waterpark Splash): Spend the afternoon riding the waves and hydroslide at Baywave.
  • 4:30 PM (Heated Saltwater Soak): Finish with a soothing soak in the toddler pool at Mount Hot Pools. For general planning, check our Tauranga 3-day itinerary, see coastal trails in Tauranga walks & hikes, and find beach motels in where to stay in Tauranga.

❓ Tauranga with Kids: Real Questions, Real Answers

Is it easy to walk around Mount Maunganui with a stroller?

Yes. The 3.4 km base track around Mount Maunganui (Mauao) is wide, flat, well-compacted gravel suitable for standard all-terrain strollers. The harbour and ocean beachfront boardwalks are completely paved.