Last updated November 2026
The ride from Sulphur Point to Fergusson Park, long known as Port to Park, follows the inner harbour west from the edge of the city centre to the reserves at Matua. Tourism Bay of Plenty grades it Grade 1, with only 1 to 3 m of height change, and gives the full ride as 8.4 km return.
You can start at the Sulphur Point boat ramp car park, about 1 km from the CBD, or at Fergusson Park in Matua and ride it the other way.
Most of it is a concrete shared path, but there is a busy urban road section, a few bridges and some grass, so it is not a quiet path from end to end. The pay-off is water almost the whole way, with views across the harbour to Mauao, Matakana Island and the Kaimai Range.
Practical Information
- Start
- Sulphur Point boat ramp car park, or Fergusson Park, Matua
- Distance from the city
- Sulphur Point car park is about 1 km from the Tauranga CBD
- Length
- 8.4 km return
- Grade
- Grade 1 (1 to 3 m elevation)
- Surface
- Concrete shared path, a busy urban road section, bridges and grass tracks
- Facilities
- Toilets and car parks at the start and finish and at several parks along the way; playgrounds, toilets and barbecues at Kulim Park and Fergusson Park
- Drinking water
- Not listed in the trail guide
- Managed by
- Tauranga City Council
- Status
- Check Tauranga City Council’s walkways page for current closures before you ride
About Sulphur Point to Fergusson Park
This is a harbour-edge ride rather than a trail through bush. It strings together reserves along the inner harbour, and Tourism Bay of Plenty points to the tidal views and the birdlife as the main draws.
At the Sulphur Point end, the trail guide lists a marina, fishing and swimming spots, a picnic area, a carved Māori pou and a large boat ramp. From there the route follows the harbour edge past Kulim Park in Ōtūmoetai before finishing at Fergusson Park in Matua.
Kulim Park and Fergusson Park both have playgrounds, toilets and barbecues, which makes either one a natural turnaround or picnic stop if you are riding with children and don’t want to do the full 8.4 km.
Tourism Bay of Plenty’s 2025 cycle trails booklet lists the ride as Sulphur Point to Fergusson Park; its 2023 booklet called it Port to Park.
Riding with Others on the Path
Tourism Bay of Plenty is plain about the trail’s character: it is a shared walkway and cycleway that is narrow in places and can get busy. It also includes roadside sections, and road and rail crossings, so younger riders need watching at those points.
The booklet asks riders to keep left. Keep your speed down where the path narrows, give walkers room, and treat the road section and the crossings as places to stop and look rather than roll through.
Where to Start
Sulphur Point suits riders coming from the city centre: the booklet puts the boat ramp car park about 1 km from the city centre, reached from the Sulphur Point exit off State Highway 2. Starting at Fergusson Park in Matua puts a playground, toilets and barbecues at both your start and your finish.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Sulphur Point to Fergusson Park ride?
It is 8.4 km return, according to Tourism Bay of Plenty.
Is it the same as Port to Park?
Yes. Port to Park is the older name for the same harbour ride between Sulphur Point and Fergusson Park.
How hard is it?
It is graded Grade 1 with only 1 to 3 m of elevation change. The harder parts are practical rather than physical: narrow sections, a busy road section and road and rail crossings.
Where can I park?
The booklet names the Sulphur Point boat ramp car park as a start, with car parks at the finish and at several parks along the way.
Are there toilets on the way?
Yes. The booklet lists toilets at the start and finish and at several parks on the way, including Kulim Park and Fergusson Park.
Is it good for kids?
The grade is easy and there are playgrounds at Kulim Park and Fergusson Park, but the path is narrow and busy in places and crosses roads and a railway, so plan to supervise younger riders closely.
What will I see?
Harbour views to Mauao, Matakana Island and the Kaimai Range, plus the marina and boat ramp at Sulphur Point.
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Related links 2
- Tourism Bay of Plenty cycle trails booklet (2025): trail map, grade, surface and facilities for this and other Bay of Plenty rides.
- Tauranga City Council: Walkways: the council’s list of walkways and cycleways, with closure notices.