Tauranga Airport - Spotting Guide

Tauranga Airport – Spotting Guide

October 19, 2020 - last modified on April 12, 2023

Tauranga airfield (TRG/NZTG) is a small airfield served by Air New Zealand and smaller, regional carriers. The airfield is located northeast of the city of Tauranga and was opened in 1939.

General Information
Terminal	There is a small terminal.
Runway	There are four runways but only 07/25 is asphalted. The other ones are grass strips.

	Spot #1 – Terminal Area
WHERE	This spot is located just east of the terminal along Jean Batten drive. Just leave the terminal and search your favourite position outside along the fence.

WHAT	All runway movements and also some nearby apron/taxiway activities.

TIME	All day is fine in winter, but light is backlit from around midday in summer.

MISC.	Everything you need is inside the nearby terminal. 2 steps ladder useful, but not needed as you can also shoot thru the mesh.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm Dash 8-300 on runway = 185mm

	Spot #2 – Airport Viewing Area
WHERE	This spot is an official airport viewing platform located on the corner of Aerodrome Road and De Havilland Way. To get here via car from the main road (State Highway 2), you can drive directly south on Aerodrome Road, just prior to where the road turns, there is a slip road of sorts (impossible to miss), take this and continue straight for 150 where you will arrive at the location. From the terminal, walk east for 200m and you will arrive.

WHAT	All runway movements and some fantastic views of the GA/Airclub Ramp.

TIME	All day is fine in winter, but light is backlit from around midday in summer.

MISC.	As this is an official viewing spot, the fence is lowered to knee height and there are two picnic tables here. There is also a miniature hill that you can stand on for a slightly better vantage point. Closest food, drink and bathrooms are in the terminal, roughly 5 mins walk.

FOCAL LENGTH	18-250mm Will cover everything here.

We need your help

This guide is not completed but due to a lack of information we cannot provide more spotting postions. If you do so, please contact us to complete this planespotting guide.