My impression of Mount Maunganui last time was that it’s actually a pleasant little “village”. The atmosphere is still here, but on this trip it seems bigger than I recall. However, the shops are all very tourist-oriented (no supermarket, just expensive convenience stores)! Checking the schedule of cruises calling here, during February there’s a ship here on average every day. Perhaps this is a busy time of year, but it certainly suggests that the cruise industry makes a significant contribution to the economy around here. In particular, it’s the jumping off place for tours to Rotorua. It also has quite a few apartments, in some ways like a mini-Gold Coast. I’ve also read that it’s a busy cargo port, which is consistent with the facilities in the port area.
Last trip, I did the walk up Mount Maunganui. I plan to repeat that later in the day. did this walk …err, climb, again – being careful to get out of the way of the iron men and ladies doing it at a much faster speed than me (one even had a pack). It’s 232 metres in height (but it seemed more…?). Very worthwhile, for the sense of achievement and for the views, north along the coast, inland towards Tauranga and south along the surf beach.
The closest large town in Tauranga (which is the town mentioned in the itinerary), and there’s a dedicated bus service ($15 return) but we‘re not planning to didn’t do that. There were plenty of shops in the immediate area (and S was very happy with her purchases!)
My access to wi fi cost me a cappuccino, but definitely worth it!
Musings and Mutterings 