"The Mount"
Mount Maunganui, North Island
Mount Maunganui, North Island
One of New Zealand's premier tourist destinations, Mount Maunganui, located in the North Island's Bay of Plenty, has something for everyone. Whether surfing consistent waves, indulging in freshly caught sea food or simply strolling the beautifully manicured promenade, this hippie chic beach town will be a highlight of any trip.
Referred to by most locals as, "The Mount", the entire township is situated on a long sand spit. Narrowing as you move towards the cities downtown area, the skinniest part of the peninsula is only a few city blocks wide. Marking the end of town and the beginning of what the town was named for. An extinct volcano!
Referred to by most locals as, "The Mount", the entire township is situated on a long sand spit. Narrowing as you move towards the cities downtown area, the skinniest part of the peninsula is only a few city blocks wide. Marking the end of town and the beginning of what the town was named for. An extinct volcano!
The story behind the creation of the Mount is well known to the area's indigenous people, the Maori's. There once lived three mountains, Otanewainuku (the chieftain), Puwhenua (the beautiful love interest) and the nameless one (The Mount). The nameless one fell in love with Puwhenua and asked his friends, the Patupaiarehe (fairies of the night), to deliver his message of love to Puwhenua. She responded with words of love for Otanewainuku, not the nameless one. Deeply saddened, the nameless one asked his fairy friends to drag him down the river to the sea. They pulled him down the hills and gullies of mainland towards the sea but when they finally reached the sandy peninsula, the suns rays were coming up over the horizon. The fairies had to return to the mountains and the nameless one became transfixed in that place. He screamed to his friends, "Don't leave me", but the fairies replied, "We will name you Mauao - caught by the dawn light." They faded away in the morning leaving Mauao alone for the rest of eternity.
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Today, the legend of this ill-fated mountain is unknown to most tourists. Recognizing the mount only for its iconic location and 5-star view. From high a top, 671 feet above sea level, the jaw dropping view provides a great appreciation for the Bay of Plenty Region. Allow your eyes to dance down the verdant mountain side and spill onto the urbanized peninsula. Where white sands surround the simple, grid like city system and ultra-modern high rise buildings do their best to contrast the hippy vibe. Following the sand spit towards mainland, the big city of Tauranga bustles in the distance along with a collection of islands, peninsulas and random land outcroppings up and down the coast. And this is all before you turn around. Where the big blue sea extends for miles and miles into unadulterated horizons! |
But the absolute best part of the view…very few tourists to share it with!! No elevator, no cable car, no train, no easy way up. If you want to see the view, you must work for it!! This is how most locals view the Mount - as an opportunity for fitness. Those who frequent the climb, can run up in 15 minutes flat. For most others, however, allow a leisurely 30-40 minutes. Others prefer to stroll or power walk around the base. Between 45 minutes to an hour of well shaded, glorious track await!
Now that you have a true appreciation for the peninsula and it's unique layout, lets dive into town. Boasting the best of both watery worlds, the harbor side of town is protected from swells and surges of the unpredictable Pacific Ocean. This beach area, known as Pilot Bay, is perfect for families with small children, rookie swimmers, stand up paddle boarders and novice boatsman.
The harbor is also the gateway to the thriving metropolitan city of Tauranga. Hundreds of commercial boats pass through the harbor at high tide every day - not to mention cruise ships! 80 plus cruise ships grace the harbor yearly and when they arrive, the entire town knows. Seen from most buildings in the Mount, these 14-story cruise ships dwarf the short, residential homes and the influx of thousands of tourists can be felt in every shop, restaurant and inch of powdery beach.
Now that you have a true appreciation for the peninsula and it's unique layout, lets dive into town. Boasting the best of both watery worlds, the harbor side of town is protected from swells and surges of the unpredictable Pacific Ocean. This beach area, known as Pilot Bay, is perfect for families with small children, rookie swimmers, stand up paddle boarders and novice boatsman.
The harbor is also the gateway to the thriving metropolitan city of Tauranga. Hundreds of commercial boats pass through the harbor at high tide every day - not to mention cruise ships! 80 plus cruise ships grace the harbor yearly and when they arrive, the entire town knows. Seen from most buildings in the Mount, these 14-story cruise ships dwarf the short, residential homes and the influx of thousands of tourists can be felt in every shop, restaurant and inch of powdery beach.
Okay, okay, so you're not into physical activities. Look no further then Maunganui Road, the main street in town. Hip, chic and urban, the bars, boutiques, cafes and restaurants will not disappoint. Either splash out on a delectable sea food dinner on the Main Beach promenade, known as Marine Parade, or head to the beach with crispy fish n chips in hand. Wrapped in yesterdays newspaper, a scoop of crunchy, lightly salted chips (french fries), a piece of deep fried snapper and a cold beverage is a recipe for beachside bliss. This meal is also great to enjoy on main beach due to its popularity and subsequent, people watching. Whether it's a sand volleyball tournament, Surf Rescue meet, surf competition or live band, Main Beach is always buzzing!!
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The Pacific side of town (only a few minutes walk away) offers miles of white sand beach, endless blue horizons and fantastic waves. Surfers dot the glistening waters from dawn to dusk along with stand up paddle boarders, kayakers, outriggers and kite surfers.
The Pacific side is also a fisherman and divers dream. A variety of islands live just a few miles off the mainland, offering fantastic fishing along with world class diving for lobster. You heard me! Lobster! Snapper can also be prolific, especially during spawning seasons, and catching one can be as easy as dropping a line. Helps to know someone with a boat, dive gear and will for adventure!! |
Like most beautiful places in the world, the Mount wasn't always a bustling tourist haven. It boasts humble beginnings. Holiday homes, or as they're called in New Zealand, baches, once lined the beach. Each bach held one or two small rooms and were typically only occupied during the holiday seasons. Families would crack open the windows, dust off the cobwebs and move in for weeks, even months, over school breaks and public holidays. Land values then were reasonable and not one building on the sand spit extended past two stories. Unfortunately, these cheap "luxuries" no longer exist. To purchase property in the Mount requires a fat wallet!! Mansions line the main beach road, Marine Parade, and condominiums rise half of the height of the beloved Mount. The Mom/Pop shops of before now replaced by flash seafood restaurants, Ice Creams Shops, and yes, even Burger King.
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Over the past 7 years, I have been fortunate to spend loads of time at the Mount with my local boyfriend, Clayton and must say, it is special. No matter how big it grows or commercialized it becomes, the charm and character of the bach days gone by will always remain. A surfers paradise, families dream, and locals paradise.
All Old Pictures Found @ http://majortomsbar.com/2009/11/06/back-in-the-day/