Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty are well set up for bowling — a big modern tenpin entertainment centre packed with activities, and a friendly spread of lawn bowls clubs, including the oldest in the city and some with all-weather greens for year-round play.
Whether you’re after a family day out, a casual roll-up, or a club to join and improve, here’s where to bowl in Tauranga.
Tenpin Bowling in Tauranga
Tauranga’s tenpin scene is anchored by one large, well-equipped venue that pairs serious leagues with plenty of family entertainment.
Tenpin Tauranga
- Where: 135 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112
- Lanes: 20
- Food & drink: Mighty Burger bar (burgers, pizza, chips), cafe and licensed bar
- Also: Laser tag, mini golf, arcade games, bumper cars, pool tables and an 18+ gaming lounge; “Bowl-A-Bash” birthday packages; serious leagues and tournaments (hosts the annual Tauranga Classic); bowling ramps and accessible lanes; free parking; open Mon–Thu 9am–late, Fri–Sat 9am–11pm, Sun 10am–late
- Web: tenpintauranga.co.nz · Phone: 07 577 9669 · Email: [email protected]
Read our review of Tenpin Tauranga.
Tenpin Tauranga’s details are confirmed via its own website and Tenpin Bowling NZ; pricing and hours can change, so check before a visit.
Lawn Bowls Clubs in Tauranga
Lawn bowls is popular across Tauranga and the Mount, with clubs catering to everyone from first-timers to national-level competitors. Several offer qualified coaching and all-weather greens. Below is a selection of the area’s clubs.
Tauranga Bowling Club
- Where: The Domain, Cameron Road, Tauranga 3140
- Greens: [TBC] (recently floodlit for evening play)
- History: Established 18 April 1906 — the oldest bowling club in Tauranga
- Members & play: Welcomes new members, from competitive players and weekly roll-ups to first-timers; Full Playing, Social and Associate memberships
- Also: CBD location with views through to Mount Maunganui; popular for corporate functions, private events and weddings; venue hire
- Web: taurangabowlingclub.com · Phone: 07 578 9369 · Email: [email protected]
Read our review of Tauranga Bowling Club.
Bowls Tauranga South
- Where: 15 Tutchen Street, Tauranga 3144 (between 11th & 12th Avenues)
- Greens: Up-to-date carpet greens plus a covered green — all-weather, year-round play
- History: Established 1924; celebrated its centenary in 2024
- Members & play: Friendly, progressive club; competitive and casual; qualified, friendly coaching staff who welcome and encourage bowlers at every level, especially first-timers; memberships to suit everyone
- Also: Function and corporate/family event packages; plenty of parking
- Web: bowlstaurangasouth.co.nz · Phone: 07 578 6213 · Email: [email protected]
Read our review of Bowls Tauranga South.
Bowls Mt Maunganui
- Where: 45–47 Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui 3116
- Greens: 2 natural grass greens plus 1 artificial (with plans to cover the artificial green for year-round play)
- Members & play: Suits all levels, from twilight bowls and club-day roll-ups to top-level competition
- Also: In partnership with Club Mt Maunganui — licensed restaurant and bar, gaming and TAB, snooker and pool; artificial green available for public hire; minutes from the beach
- Web: mountbowls.co.nz · Phone: 07 575 3838 · Email: [email protected]
Read our review of Bowls Mt Maunganui.
This is a selection of Tauranga-area clubs, not a complete list — there are others across the Bay of Plenty. Confirm details with each club before relying on them.
Recommended For
- Best for families & kids: Tenpin Tauranga — 20 lanes plus mini golf, laser tag, bumper cars and arcade games, with Bowl-A-Bash party packages.
- Best for a night out: Tenpin Tauranga’s licensed bar and gaming lounge, or twilight bowls at Bowls Mt Maunganui with Club Mount’s restaurant and bar next door.
- Best for tenpin leagues & improving: Tenpin Tauranga runs serious leagues and tournaments, including the annual Tauranga Classic.
- Best for learning lawn bowls: Bowls Tauranga South, with qualified coaching staff who specialise in welcoming first-timers, and all-weather greens.
- Best for a beachside game: Bowls Mt Maunganui, minutes from the Mount’s beaches with club facilities attached.
Getting There & Practical Tips
- Booking: Book Tenpin Tauranga ahead, especially weekends and school holidays — and consider phoning, as some visitors report online bookings not always being confirmed.
- Parking: Tenpin Tauranga has free parking; Bowls Tauranga South has plenty behind the 11th Ave public carpark; the Mount club shares Club Mt Maunganui facilities.
- All-weather play: Bowls Tauranga South’s covered/carpet greens mean rain doesn’t stop play — handy in a wet Bay of Plenty spell.
- Lawn bowls: Clubs run casual roll-ups and club days, and most provide bowls for newcomers (flat-soled shoes are all you need). Phone ahead.
- Accessibility: Tenpin Tauranga offers bowling ramps and accessible lanes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I go tenpin bowling in Tauranga? Tenpin Tauranga at 135 Thirteenth Avenue is the city’s main venue, with 20 lanes plus laser tag, mini golf, bumper cars, arcade games and a burger bar.
Does Tauranga have lawn bowls clubs I can join? Yes — including Tauranga Bowling Club (the city’s oldest, in the CBD), Bowls Tauranga South (all-weather greens, strong coaching) and Bowls Mt Maunganui (beachside, with club facilities). All welcome new members.
Where’s best to learn lawn bowls in Tauranga? Bowls Tauranga South has qualified coaching staff who specialise in welcoming first-timers and offers all-weather greens; most clubs provide bowls for newcomers.
Where can I bowl on a rainy day in Tauranga? Tenpin Tauranga is fully indoor. For lawn bowls, Bowls Tauranga South’s covered and carpet greens allow play in any weather.
Is Tenpin Tauranga good for kids’ parties? Yes — its Bowl-A-Bash packages combine bowling with laser tag, mini golf and arcade games, making it a popular birthday-party venue.