Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
100m artificial surf reef not far offshore. Learn-to-surf operators include
Hibiscus
( 027
279 9687, 07-575 3792;
www.surfschool.co.nz
; 2hr/2-day lesson $85/165)
,
Discovery Surf School
( 027 632 7873;
www.discoverysurf.co.nz
;
2hr lesson $90, 4 lessons $320)
and
Mount Surfshop
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 07-575
9133;
www.mountsurfshop.co.nz
; 96 Maunganui Rd; rental per hr wetsuit/bodyboard/surfboard/paddleboard from $5/5/
9am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm Sun)
.
10/20, 2hr lesson $80;
Mauao
MAP
MOUNTAIN, LOOKOUT
GOOGLE MAP
Explore Mauao (Mt Maunganui) itself on the walking trails winding around it and leading
up to the summit. The steep
summit walk
takes about an hour return (with a rest at the top).
You can also clamber around the rocks on
Moturiki Island
, which adjoins the peninsula. The
island and the base of Mauao comprise the
Mauao Base Track
(3½km, 45 minutes), wander-
ing through magical groves of pohutukawa trees that bloom between November and Janu-
ary. Pick up the
Mauao
map from the info desk at Beachside Holiday Park.
Mount Hot Pools
MAP
SWIMMING
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.tcal.co.nz
;
9 Adams Ave; adult/child/family $11/8/31; 6am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-10pm Sun)
If you've
worked up a sweat walking up and down Mauao, take a long relaxing soak at these hotwa-
ter pools at the foot of the hill.
Canoe & Kayak
( 07-574 7415;
www.canoeandkayak.co.nz
;
3/5 MacDonald St; tours per person from $99)
Canoe & Kayak
runs 2½-hour kayaking trips around Mauao checking out seals and rock formations and
hearing local legends, plus three-hour nocturnal glowworm paddles in nearby McLarens
Falls Park.
KAYAKING
Rock House
MAP
ROCK CLIMBING
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.therockhouse.co.nz
;
9 Triton Ave; adult/child $16.50/14.50, gear hire extra; noon-9pm Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm
Sat & Sun)
Try rock climbing at the Rock House, a huge blue steel shed with huge blue
climbing walls inside it.
Baywave
SWIMMING
