TRANSPORT
New Zealand is a long set of islands and bigger than it looks on maps! The best way to get around short to medium distances is generally driving, and flying is the way to go for longer distances.
Big cruise ferries also ply the route between the two main islands, and there is a limited number of inter-city train routes.
If you don’t want to drive, we will be able to organise carpooling to the wedding, and for any other travel, comfortable long-distance buses cover almost every place in the country!
Getting to Tauranga from Auckland
DRIVING
This is a well-signposted drive that takes about three hours. Use the Southern Motorway (State Highway 1) to head south out of Auckland. Change to State Highway 2 at exit 477, and follow State Highway 2 and the signs to Tauranga!
FLYING
Air New Zealand provides several flights every day between Auckland and Tauranga. The flight only takes around 40 minutes, but it can be expensive as only one airline operates the route.
BUS
InterCity Coachlines operates many buses from Auckland to Tauranga each day. They depart from the intercity bus terminal on Hobson Street, underneath the SkyCity Casino. You can also pick up the bus at the Manukau Bus Interchange in south Auckland, which is a short bus or taxi ride away from Auckland Airport. In Tauranga, the buses arrive at the tourist office on Wharf Street, in the downtown area. Some buses continue across Tauranga Harbour to Mount Maunganui, where they arrive at Salisbury Avenue.