Ten tips to help you plan your stay.
Mount Maunganui is a charming beachside town in the fifth biggest city in New Zealand. Tauranga.
Sitting northeast of the CBD and joined by a harbour bridge, “The Mount,”(as locals call it), offers so much to visitors, especially those looking for a quintessential coastal New Zealand experience. Think great beach, great food, great walks, and great people.
So, I’ve put together ten suggestions to enhance your visit to this compact and friendly coastal northern New Zealand village.
1. No visit to “the Mount” would be complete without walking, possibly one of the most beautiful walks in the country. The now-extinct volcano, also known as Mauao, is approximately a 45-minute, 3-kilometre circumference walk.
Start your stroll, amble, or run from either Pilot Bay or the Surf Beach side. As you make your way, you will be treated to the drama of crashing waves, beautiful vistas of clear seawater rock pools, native bush, endemic birds such as the delightful flitting Piwakawaka (Fantail) Tuis‘ and imports like blackbirds and thrushes grubbing in the undergrowth. You may even see the local seal, Oscar, who has taken up residence on the south side rocks.
Or
2. Scale The Mount. Reaching the summit requires climbing 232 metres up about 576 steps, but the walk offers sweeping views of all the coastal aspects of this gorgeous coastal gem. On a particularly fine day, you may see Whakaari/White Island blowing steam in the far distance to the south. And imagine the exhilaration of standing at the highest point in the bay.
A reasonably good level of aerobic fitness is required for this climb, but it is well worth the effort to stand on the summit and gaze across the breathtaking views. There are several other ascent walking options, too. (See additional information at the end of this article).
Kick off or finish your walk or climb by pausing to read the fascinating history of the iconic Mauao. Beautifully carved signs are placed at the base track’s northern end and tell stories and legends of the Mount, providing added depth to your experience. The signs are set off by Waka sculptures and seats to stop and rest while you take in the relaxing atmosphere of the beach.
3. If circumventing or climbing up Mauao is not your thing, try a stroll along the beach, especially south. The coastline stretches for miles and includes various little suburbs of the Mount. For refreshments, from spring to Autumn, the roadside is littered with stalls and caravans selling drinks and food.
4. The local council has recently completed the installation of a very welcome boardwalk stretching 5 kilometres south, starting from the north side of Mauao. Even in winter, it is well populated with various people biking, walking, with or without our dogs, skateboarding, pushing babies in strollers, running, you name it. It’s a very relaxed shared space built around the contours of the beachfront among native shrubs and grasses. It has become an exceptional addition to this beautiful spot.
5. Feeling hungry? There are many great eateries in the Mount Village and others further out, within a 20- 30 minute walk or a quick Uber ride. Below are some suggestions for some good eateries to enjoy.
Breakfast or morning coffee – try Blondie Diner, an “American Diner” style cafe in the central part of the Mount Village. Or, if you want to travel about two minutes south along the beach road, try the Tay Street Store. It’s a tiny gem with great coffee and sublime service. Sit in the sun and enjoy the vibrancy of the people enjoying doing the same.
Lunch – You can enjoy this sitting outside one of the cafes that stretch across the front of the roadside at Main Mount Beach near the Surf Club. Or you can buy a sandwich, take it over the road, sit in the sand, and watch the waves roll in.
Dinner – Try Sailor Galley and Rum Bar at The Mount village’s northern end. They do great food and offer excellent service. Don’t be put off by the name; they serve all types of beverages.
6. Bike riding is now much more feasible in Mount Maunganui. New cycleways take you just about around the circumference of the Mount Maunganui district, and additional safety measures along some roads have made this attraction a much better option for cyclists.
There are undercover bike parking bays in the Mount Central shopping area and several bike rental options.
And if you’re keen to explore further you can, for example, bike to Matapihi, cross the rail bridge, and find yourself in the CBD of Tauranga City
7. Learn to surf. Many of us wish we’d tried it once upon a time. However, with gentle waves on a warm sunny day, one of the three or four surf schools based just south of the main Mount area will teach you the basics. There is nothing like a bit of seawater and fresh air to add to the enjoyment of a holiday at the beach. And I’ve heard that the instructors stay with you in the shallow waters, keeping you safe while you master the basics of this exciting pastime.
8. If shopping is your thing, there is Bayfair Mall, 2 kilometres south of Mount Maunganui. It is not a Westfield Mall, so it offers a different variety of retailers.
9. Done with shopping? Make your way to the exterior food court fringing the mall. Attractively set up with tables and chairs, al fresco dining, and pretty lights strung across the courtyards, this all-weather eating spot offers a good variety of casual dining, including Vietnamese, Asian Fusion and the ubiquitous burger eats and bars.
10. If live music is your thing, watch for gigs regularly held at the very cool Totora Street Live Music Venue. Located in the heart of Mount Maunganui, this venue provides a variety of live music concerts at reasonable ticket prices throughout the year.
MTR Fun Facts:
Mauao -“Caught in the Light of Day“
MTR Tips: There are about four ways to ascend The Mount. Apart from the stairs,(the most commonly used path), they are:
As you start your ascent, you turn right at the top of the first set of stairs. This way, you circumvent the Mount rather than heading straight up.
Follow the 4 wheel scoria road up. Entrance from the Pilot Bay side.
A goat track can be taken about halfway around the base walking track. This is a steep, more dangerous ascent.
Walk up the south side – there is a sheep track you can access from the south side of the camping ground. You will join the top part of the scoria road track.
If you would like more information on Mount Maunganui, please feel free to contact janeco@mytravelroom.co.nz
