MOUNT MAUNGANUI MILE

Mount Maunganui’s food scene is buzzing!

Home to excellent restaurants, popular cafes, gourmet food markets and plenty of fresh local produce, Mt Maunganui is a foodie hub.

Vegan? Gluten free? Or meat, vegetable and everything-friendly? There’s something for every taste and dietary requirement in the eateries along Mount Maunganui’s main street, beachside cafes and beyond. This month’s best bets:

• Try Cafe 88 for the world’s best selection of home baked goods, scrumptious breakfasts and espresso yourself with to-die-for coffee.
• Wild One Wholefoods eatery for guilt-free, nourishing, delicious food that’s made on site with your health in mind.
• Lunch and dinner at Satori Lounge is a whole new sushi and sashimi taste sensation.

Mauao coastal walk

Make the most of paradise on your doorstep, explore Mauao historic reserve.

Walking around ‘the Mount’ is a favourite for locals and visitors alike. This easy 3.4km (45-minute) base track walk takes you along a simple, circular pathway with spectacular views. Watch out for seals basking on the rocks, sheep, panoramas to Matakana Island and plenty of boating activity. Family-friendly and suitable for strollers and wheelchairs, there are a few uphill slopes and tree roots, so take care.

Or if you’re up for a hike, take the track via a series of steps to the summit of Mauao and feast your eyes on sensational views.

Mount Maunganui

Swim with dolphins in the clean, blue Bay of Plenty waters off Mount Maunganui.

Dreamed of swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat? Choose from a number of popular, New Zealand tourism qualmark endorsed, eco-tour operators working alongside these beautiful creatures making their home in Mt Maunganui’s marine playground.

Tours include free-swimming excursions and safe-swim bars to hold onto while in the ocean waters. Only choose tours licensed to operate with marine mammals by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

Try:

• Dolphin Seafaris
• Dolphin Blue
• Orca Wild Adventures

tauranga harbour

First time on a paddle board? No problem! You’ll be up and paddling in no time.

The best thing about paddle boarding in the sheltered waters of Pilot Bay is the view. For a calm, residential bay there’s a lot to see! Once you get the hang of boarding, you can cruise past the walkers on the Mount base track, glide around the kids fishing off the wharf and maybe even go all the way down to the port to see the cruise ships come in. With plenty of SUP hire, tours, lessons and fitness classes on offer, you’ve got a bucket-load of choice. For more information about hiring a stand up paddle board contact East Coast Paddler and Mt Maunganui’s Hibiscus Surf School.

Base of Mauao

Hot, clean, salty and wet. Do yourself a favour and take a dip!

Fan of the active holiday? Keen on surfing, paddle boarding and walking up the Mount? Best you get yourself over to the Mount Hot Pools for a post-exercise soak to heal those aches and pains.

A classic local treat for the whole family, with kiddy pools and plenty of snacks on offer, the Mount Hot Pools have always been a hot holiday favourite and it’s no wonder. Located at the base of Mauao, you can take your pick from scorching to deliciously warm. It’s hot pool heaven.

Main Beach

Take to the waves in one of New Zealand’s favourite surfing destinations.

Mount main beach is a popular hotspot for ocean lovers, beach volleyballers and, you guessed it, surfers. Whatever your surfing ability, from newbie to refresher, there’s a 100% certified surfing instructor keen to introduce you to the local waves.

Choose from daily surf lessons, multi-day packages or get a group together and have a laugh. There’s a load of surf schools to choose from, all offering experienced, friendly instructors and quality equipment in a safe, fun environment. Check out:

• Hibiscus Surf School
• Mount Surf Academy
• Discovery Surf