Months = 1 Year

Mount Maunganui Main beach with its beautiful white sand is one of the most popular places for bathing under the sun. Surfers and boogie boarders out riding the waves. Mount Maunganui life savers are on duty watching over the crowded beach through the summer ensuring the safety of people. National surf lifesaving competitions and Volley ball competitions bring huge crowds to the beach in the summer months There is parking the full length of the beach and in the busy season it can be hard to find a park. Across the road are cafes offering many different food choices, coffees and refreshments with, a Copenhagen ice-cream store in walking distance. A short walk from the beach and you can enjoy shopping in downtown the Mount with many food / dinning outlets and boutique shops to choose from. Moturiki Island … Walk over to Moturki Island there are rocks to climb on and there is a blow hole at the far end which can be spectacular with the high tide. Take the camera and take panoramic shots of the coastline of Mount Maunganui Main beach.

There are two choices of beach in Mount Maunganui, we have the Mount main beach and then on the other side of the township we have Pilot Bay which is family friendly frequently without the waves. Pilot Bay has a lot of boat activities and welcomes the cruise ships. This brings a huge crowd to the beach with their fish and chips or home cooked food to watch cruise ships come and go, and taking the opportunity to get that one off photograph of spectacular sights.

Walking Mauao is a must do for anyone visiting Mount Maunganui The views are spectacular. Totally worth the climb to the summit. There are many tracks, if you are up to a bit of a hike or a gentle stroll.

Important information

No rubbish bins: so please keep Mauao tidy by not leaving any rubbish behind. No Toilets: so do make a toilet visit before you start your walk. Toilets are opposite the boat ramp at Pilot Bay and at the surf club at the ocean side. Gates: leave all gates as you find them. (open a gate close the gate) Vehicles: are not allowed except for maintenance and emergency purposes only.

Emergencies: in the event of an emergency dial 111.

Mauao Historic Reserve is administered by local Iwi; Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Pukenga in the form of the Mauao Trust. Mauao. (Caught by the morning sun) … Mauao is known as the Mount by the locals. (232m high)

The Base Of Mauao is beautiful whatever the weather or time of year with beautiful scenery and seats along the way to sit on and enjoy the views. Walking Time: 3.4km (Base track: 45 mins).

Mount Maunganui Summit Track

The 4 wheel drive track starts at the end of Pilot Bay on the western side of Mauao giving you views to the west. (To summit: 40 mins) You have choices of down the steps on the Waikorire track which is reasonably steep or back down the 4 wheel drive track onto the Oruahine track to the right with northerly views … Waikorire and Oruahine tracks start from the ocean side of the base track. Follow the boardwalk in front of the surf club. The Oruahine track ends part way up the 4WD track. Turn left onto the 4WD track and continue to the summit, or turn off the 4WD track onto the Motu Kauri track, then turn left at the lookout intersection to go to the summit. The Waikorire track (steep). Turn right at the lookout intersection to go to the summit.