What to do in Mount Maunganui
The beach town of Mount Maunganui is full of surf vibes and a vibrant identity – and the perfect spot for your next holiday as well as exploring the Bay of Plenty region!
With a low-key atmosphere and high-quality offerings, it’s easy to find activities that everyone in the family will love. To help you get your itinerary started, we’ve put together our list of what to do in Mount Maunganui. For where to stay in Mount Maunganui, take a look here!
See our top 8 must do’s on your trip to Mount Maunganui…
1. Climb the Mount
The magic of Mount Maunganui is best understood by climbing to the summit of this dormant volcano and being rewarded with the panoramic views.
The track is around an hour and a half return and you’ll want to be reasonably fit to ensure you enjoy it – but we promise the effort is 100% worth it! There are two tracks on the Mount to choose from and the walk is best done at sunrise to beat the crowds, that said – the views at sunset from the top aren’t so shabby either.
For those that want a more leisurely stroll, there’s also a looped track at the bottom of the Mount which is great for collecting seashells and taking in the ocean breeze.
2. Hang loose in a surfer’s paradise
Surfing is a way of life for locals in Mount Manganui. With the left-hand peelers, warm clear water and some of the best golden sand beaches in the Bay of Plenty, it’s no surprise this place is considered a surfer’s paradise.
You’re guaranteed to have a blast catching (or attempting to catch) some epic waves and enjoying the chill vibes from the community of surfers. For those that want to improve their skills, there are numerous surf schools to help you get your groove on the board, along with surf rental shops on practically every street corner – so there is really no excuse not to give it a go!
3. Get your groove on at Totara Street
It’s no surprise that this surfing capital has an equally impressive music scene. After a day on the waves, head to Totara Street to enjoy live music in this multi-functional venue in the heart of Mount Maunganui.
Totara Street is also well utilised by the community, so when live-music isn’t happening, there are other fun community events like yoga classes, dance lessons and pop-up art exhibits to take part in.
4. Explore Moturiki (Leisure Island)
First a home to early Maori settlers, then a quarry, then an aquarium, then a water park and now a nature reserve (whew!), exploring Moturiki is easy, accessible and lots of fun.
There is a man-made land bridge from the beach to make for an easy (and dry) access point, along with many rock-climbing opportunities and a protected reserve full of beautiful local tuis singing from above. A great little excursion to explore this stunning area.
5. Go on a hunt for cool street art
Making Mount Maunganui even cooler is their street art scene. Brand new to town, a recently installed Art Trail has popped up in the middle of Mount Maunganui, with 16 different murals to find. You can do a self-guided walk, or book a tour to dive into the deeper meanings and cultural significance of these beautiful masterpieces.
6. Ride a bike or walk along the esplanade
Mount Maunganui is extremely biker-friendly as there are dedicated bike paths all along the esplanade. You and the family can enjoy a self-guided leisurely cycle on beach cruisers, fat tyre bikes or even 2-3 seater bikes!
Riding a bike has never been so fun. The area is also packed with excellent walking options so if biking isn’t your thing – fear not, there’s something for everyone!
7. Relax at Mount Hot Pools
For those that want serious r&r, head for the Mount Hot Pools! Located at the base of Mount Maunganui right next to the beach, an entrance fee and will get you a deck chair, a calm saltwater swimming pool and a secluded area to soak up the rays in peace and silence.
8. Indulge in the trendy dining scene
If Mount Maunganui didn’t already have it all, they are also crushing it with their hospitality selections! From all you can eat Chinese food at Kwang Chow, a weekly Sunday Farmer’s Market to stock up on local produce and a taste of their insane café scene at Eightyeight – you can rest assured you’ll be well fed on your holiday in Mount Maunganui!
If Asian fusion is your thing, then you can’t go past Bamboo Eatery and Bar.
9. Embark on a V8 Trike Tour
Explore the Mount in style on a V8 Trike Tour. V8 Trike Tours offers tours of Mount Maunganui , Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty. Their impressive fleet can host up to 10 passengers, ensuring all your mates are riding along with you.
You’ll learn about the local culture and history of each area as you enjoy the roar of a V8 trike engine. Check them out at v8triketours.co.nz.
Ready to soak up the sun in this trendy little beach town? Book one of our Mount Maunganui holiday homes and get ready for a whole lot of fun! – Don’t forget that there is also loads of fun things to do in Tauranga and exploring Papamoa as well!
