Great Family Things to do in Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is described as one of the picturesque spots in New Zealand. I grew up here as a kid, spending holidays with family and friends.

While it has changed and grown over the past 40 years, as most places do, there are plenty of great outdoor family activities to meet everyone’s needs around Mount Maunganui. 

All the activities below we have done and enjoyed every minute, especially the kids of course.

Most of the activities are free but some also come at a cost.

Below, in no order are the top things to do in Mount Maunganui, make time to check them all out.

These are our top Things To Do In Mount Maunganui for families with kids of all ages.

 

Mount ‘Mauao’ Walks

For walks, fitness and stunning views of surrounding areas such as the Bay of Plenty coastline, Matakana island with its pristine white sands, across the bay to the city of Tauranga and its surrounding hills.

Mauno stands 234m at the end of the peninsula. There are a couple of options for you to choose from.

Base Walk

This a gentle stroll, the trail has a few small ups and downs along the way.  

You can start your base walk either harbourside or beachside

As you walk around you will see that there are plenty of places to stop, take a seat on one of the park benches, relax and take in the view.

Halfway around you’ll come across a plaque to remember the 23 people who lost their lives on December 28, 1950, when the Ranui (passenger boat) was slammed into the rocks by a rogue wave during a violent storm.

There are also a couple of small beaches (Shelly Bay on the beachside and a small sandy beach on the harbour side) where kids can explore rock pools, splash in the waters and where families can take a picnic.

Depending on the tide, low tide is best, the harbour-side beach can stretch for quite a distance and provides a pretty cool swimming spot. Here you will also see the statue of Tangaroa (God of the sea) sitting in the harbour greeting boats and ships as they either depart or return from their journeys. 

The base walk can take around 40-50 minutes depending on how fast you are prepared to go.

Climbing To The Top

For those looking for views up and down the coast, then heading up to the top is just for you. It’s a pretty easy walk with kids too and there are a couple of different ways to reach the top.

Lukas reached the top for the first time when he was three and he climbed this on his own two feet.

I’ve also seen many parents carrying their kids in baby carriers this is one of the best things to do in Mount Maunganui and you can do it every day.

Upon reaching the top you will get stunning views up and down the coast towards Coromandel and Makatu as well as the Mount and Tauranga. It’s also the perfect spot for that family holiday photo.

During summer most people start their hike early in the morning as it certainly heats up during the day.

The climb itself takes around 40 minutes and if you like stairs then you are in for a treat as there a plenty of these to test the legs. Wearing good sports shoes will help along with a bottle of water. 

Leisure Island (Moturiki) & the Blowhole 

Steeped in history, it certainly is a place to visit and walk around. In the early 1900s, Moturiki was a quarry with many of the stones/rocks taken from here used as foundations for the railway lines around the area. 

In 1966 it became Marineland, an aquarium with dolphins and other sea life on display.

By the time the 1980s rolled around it became a Water Park, named Leisure Island, with hydro slides, bumper boats, and swimming pools as the main attraction. 

I remember coming here as a kid with my family and the hours of fun we had. It closed in 1990 and reverted back to its original self. 

Today there are walking tracks and plenty of native flora growing. In fact, you can’t even see where the former attractions used to be.

Instead, you will see plenty of people wandering around or using the trails as part of their workout. And if you look carefully you’ll see a few fishermen scattered around the island hoping the catch that big one.

At the northern end, you’ll see the blowhole showing spouts of seawater high into the air. To see this you’ll need to be there at high tide. Moturiki is also a great spot to watch the surfers on the main beach catch a few waves. 

Relax On The Beaches

Mount Manganui is one of the best beaches in New Zealand and is well known for its beautiful sands, swimming and surf spots.

The main beach often crowded during the busy summer months, is great for families as there are surf lifesaving facilities.

The safest places to swim between the flags as there are lifeguards permanently on duty.

However, there are many other great places to spend the day relaxing on the beach such as Shark Alley, named by the locals.

We swim here with our kids and families as the waves here don’t get very high. I’ve never seen a shark either. Shark Alley is just on the other side of the main beach.

Tay street which is a little further down the main road offers lifeguard facilities too. As well as Omanu. In reality, these are all great spots to spend a day with the kids, you can’t go wrong.

If these spots are busy you can always check the beaches out in Papamoa too

 

Visit Pilot Bay

For those looking for more tranquil waters, Pilot Bay is great for families.

Here you find families building sandcastles on the beach and swimming in the shallow waters.

This can get pretty busy over the peak summer months. But there are also opportunities here to rent kayaks and paddle boards.

During the summer months, plenty of cruise ships come in, mostly staying for the day and then leaving around 5-6pm.

Again many families come down with their fish’n’chips or dinner they have brought from home and wave out as the ships leave and the sunsets.

 

Check Out The Local Playgrounds 

There are a couple of great playgrounds for families to check out around Mount Maunganui. 

It’s a wonderful way to sit back and relax while the kids charge around and make new friends with the other kids who are doing exactly the same thing.

Mount Drury Reserve Playground

This is probably the biggest playground around the Mount. Located at the end of town or the beginning however you want to look at it. It’s certainly the most popular playground with locals and tourists alike.

There are wide open spaces, hills to climb and then roll down and a huge range of playground equipment with Pour’n’Play playground surface to ensure the safety element. 

Here you’ll find climbing nets, swings, slides, rock climbing, a flying fox, and monkey bars just to name a few. There is also a disability swing.

You will also find a few picnic tables or plenty of grass to lay out the blanket, BBQ area and toilets. 

Te Ngaio Reserve 

While the playground at Te Ngaio Reserve is nothing to write home about at the moment (hopefully future improvements are on the way) it’s the beachside playground across the road, on the main beach.

This is the first of what we hope will be a few beachside playgrounds on Marine Parade. With the use of natural and timber-made equipment, it really is a great spot for the kids to play as you relax and watch the waves roll in. 

We especially loved the use of old driftwood. 

Wells Avenue Reserve

One A smaller playground, properly more suitable for younger children than older ones. It is a pretty little reserve with surrounding gardens and a few bench seats. 

Has a slide, climbing frames and a climbing net, a couple of swings and to the side (if you are into your fitness) there are a couple of exercise areas with equipment.

There is also plenty of space to run around. 

Moa Park

Set on Ocean beach Rd this is a very popular playground. 

One of the main attractions that the smaller kids love is the ship. Along with the monkey bars and a couple of other climbing frames.

On most weekends you’ll see quite a few birthday parties.

There are public toilets right next to the playground too.

There is also plenty of space to kick the football or throw the frisbee. 

 

Activities at BayStation 

If you are looking for a bit of action then visiting BayStation is one of the best things to do at Mount Maunganui. There are four different activities to check out;

Electric Drift Trikes

Set inside so even on wet days this would be a great option. These three-wheeled trikes are a blast and great fun sliding your way around the track.

Paint Ball

No explanation here, this area is awesome for paintball. As long as you don’t mind taking a few hits then this is a great way to get the adrenaline flowing. 

Different game modes can be set and there is a range of drum bunkers, vehicle bodies, and even a house to hide in.

Laser Tag

If you are looking for something less brutal then laser tag could be just for you and the family, especially the younger ones. 

Again, like paintball, there is a wide range of games you can play and the staff can customise how you want to play. At the end, you can see your score on the big screen.

Blokarts

Looking for something new or a land-sailing experience, then give this a go. For those who have never done this, there is a training and instruction session before you are let free. 

The purpose build adaptable track makes it easier for those first timers

Challenge The Family To Mini Golf

Opposite Bayfair shopping centre you’ll find Golf 360.

There is a stare of the art driving range and if you forgot your clubs you a hire same along with a bucket of golf balls. 

However, if you are looking for something a little more sedate then check out the 18-hole mini putt course.

Just like the driving range facilities the mini part course is first class and will provide plenty of challenges and competition amongst family members. 

Go Rock Climbing

Rocktopia is an indoor facility, so perfect for those wet days or when you need a break from the beach.

Open to everyone aged 2 and over, there is something here for every ability. It’s one of the best things to do at Mount Maunganui with the kids.

The Clip N’ Climb area offer 26 climbing challenges and 31 fun climbs. The first 15 minutes is a safety briefing and harness instruction.

Therefore everyone is safe and hours of entertainment can be had. 

TIP: wear sports-type shoes

Check Climbing Availability and Prices plus receive great discounts Book Here

Surfing and Boogie Boarding

With rolling waves, the coastline here makes for great surfing and boogie boarding it really is a great thing to do in Mount Maunganui for the whole family.

There are a variety of great spots, just see where all the locals are surfing. However, if you are new to surfing there are plenty of surf schools up and down the coast of the Mount, each having their spot.

A few summers ago we signed Lukas up to the O’Neil surf school for a week (part of his Christmas present).

By the end of the week we bought Lukas his own board and now we spend warm summer days riding waves.

Sadly O’Neil Surf School is no longer in the Mount however there is a range of other surf schools with awesome reputations for providing fun as well as teaching you how to ride the waves. 

Read our post on Mount Maunganui Surf Schools to see which one best suits your needs.

Go Fishing

If relaxing with a fishing rod or line is your thing then you don’t have to go far. 

Some of the fun spots to spend time with the kids is Salisbury Wharf in Pilot Bay, around the Westside, the side of Mauao that overlooks the harbour, and some people even like to find a quiet spot and fish off the beach. 

Some people like to fish off the rocks around Leisure island however it is certainly not the safest place to fish with kids as you need to be aware of the swells.

Mount Hotpools

Nothing beats relaxing at the end of the day here. Situated right at the nose of Mauao, it offers a range of hot water salt pools with different temperatures.

The water here was discovered by accident in the 1950s, as the Mount needed more fresh water for its growing population.

Instead, they found hot salt water, it took a while but the first pool was opened in 1966 and the rest is history.

There are 3 main pools, which include a children’s pool, an active pool and a relaxation pool. There are also a couple of 40c temperature spa pools.

It recently had an upgrade and is looking great. It’s the perfect place to spend the evening after a busy day and is one of the best things to do in Mount Maunganui in the evening.

Check Availability and Prices plus receive great discounts Book Here

BayWave Indoor Pool

If you are looking to get wet and keep the kids entertained then make sure to head to Baywave. It has the biggest wave pool in New Zealand.

There are smaller kid’s pools with water features, a playground area (Aqua Play Station) with water slides, water guns and a massive bucket that fills and then tips wetting everything and everyone in its path. 

Make sure to ride the hydro slide, plenty of fun and no doubt you’ll go again and again. 

There is also a 25m lap pool, spa pool, sauna, bombing platform and a cafe servicing a wide range of food and drinks. 

Purchase your Baywave tickets here and receive great discounts

Check Availability and Prices plus receive great discounts Book Here

Final Thoughts

There is lots of things to do in Mount Maunganui that cost very little.

During the summer months this places becomes very busy and one of the biggest challenges is finding a car park. In this case you just have to keep cruising around until one becomes available.

However, right at the foot of Mauao is Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Again full in the summer months, especially during the school holidays. But we you book in early then so things are accessible on foot.  

This campground has been around since my dad was a little boy.

He holidayed here during the 1950s. There are plenty of spots to park your caravan, motorhome or tent.

And if you grab the right spot, you can have great views of either Pilot Bay or the ocean. It pays to book earlier so you won’t be disappointed.

If you have done all these things to do in Mount Maunganui or just fancy a day just out then McLaren Falls, a real family favourite is just the place. And only 10 minutes from McLaren Falls is Omanawa Falls which is well worth a visit.

The cafe culture is certainly pumping here, with plenty to choose from. The challenge can be finding the right cafe to visit.

Luckily I know some of the best cafes in Mount Maunganui and there is plenty of variety to meet everyones taste buds. 

The Mount is a great place to visit even just for a day trip but there are plenty of options for those who want to stay longer.

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