Visiting Tauranga and Mt Maunganui for our wedding!

As people are travelling from near and far for our wedding in April, we have written up some recommendations of where to stay and what to do while you are visiting.

We can add more things if people ask questions, feel free to post as comments.

We are sooooo excited to have you join us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday Accommodation

We are recommending that people stay in Mt Maunganui (below) which is the coastal part of Tauranga city – although local ‘Mounties’ are not keen on being referred to as being from Tauranga!

The Wedding reception (Ataahua - 644 Pyes Pa Rd, Tauranga) is a 15-20 minute drive from the Main Beach of Mt Maunganui. We are thinking we can organise a mini bus to and from the wedding to this area. 

When looking for accommodation the location is important, even in small-ish place like Mt Maunganui. To have easy access the cafes, restaurants, and beach is best to stay as close to the end of the peninsula as possible.

When looking on google maps:

-          From Banks Ave/Salisbury Ave to Adams Ave at the base of the Mount

-          Or within a street or 2 parallel to Marine Parade back along the beach. 

The beach is great all the way along the coast but the further away from Banks Ave you go the more dependant of driving you are.

Accommodation websites

-          www.holidayhouses.co.nz/Mt-Maunganui.asp‎

-          www.bookabach.co.nz

These websites will give you all options from holiday homes to apartments to hotels.

The holiday park is well located and has newly built cabins

-          http://www.mountbeachside.co.nz/ .

The main café and restaurant areas are:

-          Mount Main Street. Along Maunganui Rd from Banks Ave roundabout to the Pacific Ave roundabout. http://www.mountmaunganui.org.nz/

-          Cnr Marine Parade and Adams Ave which are the beachside options.

-          The Strand, Tauranga

The best beach areas are:

-          Surf: The ‘Main Beach’ which along Marine Parade from Adams Ave to Pacific Ave.

-          Surf: The rest of Marine Parade and along Ocean Beach Rd

-          Calm water: Pilot Bay – The Mall on the harbour side of the peninsula

Shopping:

-          along Maunganui Rd from Banks Ave roundabout to the Pacific Ave roundabout

-          Bayfair Shopping Centre, Mt Maunganui

-          ‘Downtown’ Tauranga.

o        Davenport Rd, Grey St, The Strand

Things to do:

-          Go to the beach!! The weather will still be ok for time at the beach although it will be the end of the summer.

-          Walk up or around The Mount - depending on how energetic you are! Great walks that are a must.

-          Walk to the end of Moturiki Island (aka Leisure Island) where there is a blow hole and good views along the coast

-          Have a coffee under the Twin Towers after your walks

-          Swim at the Mount hot pools http://tcal.co.nz/Pools/mounthotpools.html
-          Rotorua is good for a day trip (geothermal wonders and Maori cultural experiences) - We will add more places to see.