Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty
On our way to Rotorua, we decided to stop at Mount Maunganui for a night. Commonly known as The Mount, this small town resembles a little of Surfers Paradise at the Gold Coast, Australia, except that it is less crowded and not so commercialised. The Mount is a popular place for joggers and climbers.
Doesn’t this look like a great place to retire?
Ocean Beach is a great place to lay back… The sidewalk cafes along Marine Parade are a favourite hangout for the locals. Unlike the Surfers Paradise in Gold Coast, you get more locals here than tourists. Take a drive and check out the grand, luxurious houses along Ocean beach, some of them are the most impressive in the North Island.
For sumptuous breakfasts, tasty sandwiches, fresh salads and aromatic coffee, we recommend the award-winning café, SideTrack Pacifica. This is definitely a favourite among the locals all-day long, you can simply tell by the regulars relaxing in al fresco style along the walkway. Don’t leave the town without savouring a double cone from the famous Copenhagen ice-cream parlour along the Marine Parade. If you are deprived for some retail therapy or can’t wait to buy your New Zealand gift, take a short drive in your rental car to Tauranga.
