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Mt Maunganui (Mauao) Summit Walk
Mt Maunganui town
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Where is it?
Start at the Mt Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club at the base of the mountain in the Bay of Plenty.
Terrain
Well-maintained bush paths, some shingle and quite a few steps if you choose the steeper, quicker Waikorire track.
Need to Know
TIME & DISTANCE: 40min to reach 232m peak
FITNESS: Reasonable fitness required
Track Overview
No trip to Mt Maunganui is complete without a walk to this summit. Two of the most popular tracks are Oruahine and Waikorire and both begin at the base of the mountain on the ocean side, starting at the boardwalk just beyond the Surf Life Saving Club. Māori for ‘big mountain’, the walk up Maunganui, or Mauao, is challenging, but the views when you reach the peak make every drop of sweat worthwhile. Catch your breath while gazing out upon the entire western Bay of Plenty, south along the white sandy beaches of Papamoa, north toward the shores of Waihi and Bowentown and over to the port and Matakana Island. You can walk these trails any time of day, although sunrise and sunset are most popular. Māori also know the mountain as Mauao which means ‘caught by the dawn’. And if you feel like you’ve earned a reward, once you return to sea level, why not treat yourself to an ice cream, a soak in the hot pools, or if the season suits, a swim in the surf?
For those not inclined to tackle the incline, Mauao also boasts a scenic, 3.5km mostly flat walkway around its base. Drink up the non-stop ocean views and then celebrate your lap with a coffee at one of the bustling beachside cafés. Mt Maunganui is a resort-like town with an array of restaurants, shops and bars.
Mt Maunganui
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Tauranga
Tauranga town
Bay of Plenty Tourism
When you’re all beached-out, Tauranga steps in to entertain. It’s a great year-round destination, with an eclectic mix of restaurants and cafés, museums, galleries, parks and gardens. Don’t miss the Tauranga Art Gallery, with its modern façade and provocative artworks. Playful sculptures at Te Puna Quarry Park fascinate both adults and children alike, while the city’s historic village on 17th Avenue West is an enclave of modern shops in vintage buildings. For active pursuits, McLaren Falls Park is a 20-minute drive from Tauranga with walkways, a waterfall and kayaking on Lake McLaren, which leads to Mangapapa Canyon, a narrow ravine.
Mt Maunganui
Come rain or shine (and it always seems to be shining here) there’s an energy in Mt Maunganui that you just can’t ignore. Split by a huge sandbar, with incredible surf on one side (Main Beach) and a sheltered swimming bay on the other (Pilot Bay Beach), the town’s good looks are only enhanced by its focal point, Mauao. Make time to go up, down and around this extinct volcano: the 360-degree views from the top are magic. Rewards for your physical exertion come in the form of waterfront cafés at the bottom, and the Hot Salt Water Pools at its base.
Hot pools, Mt Maunganui
Bay of Plenty Tourism
Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels
Main Image: Mt Maunganui © Bay of Plenty Tourism
