Sunny, refreshing, uncrowded
TVNZ broadcaster Peter Williams shares some of his favourite things about Mt Maunganui.
How your long town? have you lived in I’ve been spending up to 10 days a month there for about six years. How often are you based there? Usually for two or three nights a week. What attracted you to the area? My wife started working at the Port of Tauranga in 2010 so I join her there regularly. How would you describe your town in three words? Sunny, refreshing, uncrowded – except at New Year! What is something that you think would surprise people about your town? How good the weather is all-year round. I’ve lived in many places around New Zealand from Invercargill to Auckland.
I can honestly say the western Bay of Plenty has the best weather in the country.
Never too hot, but not as wet and windy as Auckland. Where is the first place you would take visiting family and friends? Up Mauao, the actual Mount Maunganui – 232 metres to the top, gets the heart beating and lungs open but it’s worth it for the spectacular view at the top. Where is the best place to shop? Best place to eat? Best watering hole? I’m a pretty average shopper but for convenience you go to the Bayfair Mall. There’s a couple of supermarkets and department stores plus all the usual chains you’d find at any mall in the country!
We like eating and drinking at Latitude 37 in the Mount Main St, but for just eating I’ve always enjoyed Zeytin for its moussaka. Best day trip in the area? Down to Whakatane and walk around and over the headland to Ohope. What are your favourite outdoor activities? Walking and swimming in Pilot Bay – but only when the water temperature reaches 20 degrees in January! What could we find you doing on your days off? Usually playing golf at Mount Maunganui GC. What’s an event people shouldn’t miss in your town? The Port of Tauranga Half and the Mount Festival of Multisport weekend. It’s a few days of multisports events of all distances to watch and take part in, no matter your age or state of fitness. Finally, do you have any secret spots or hidden gems in your town that people should know about? It’s not that secret or hidden, but the Mount Base track is the most walked walk in the country and I can see why.
Starting in Pilot Bay, it’s just over three kilometres around Mauao with views of Tauranga Harbour, the entrance channel and eventually Main Beach. Then it’s down the boardwalk past the camping ground to a coffee at Sidetrack under the Towers on Marine Parade.