All summer long

Dominated by its sacred maunga rising proudly at the end of one of Aotearoa’s most beautiful beaches, the Bay of Plenty’s largest city is a holiday hotspot that will have everyone jumping for joy.

FOR GENERATIONS, FAMILIES have flocked to Tauranga. Holidaymakers have dangled feet and fishing lines over wharfs and bridges and wriggled sandytoes in search of tuatua. Picnics have been devoured in sheltered harbourside parks while thrill-seekers have caught waveson the surf beaches that are strung out in an uninterrupted golden line from Mt Maunganui to Omanu, Pāpāmoaand beyond. And despite its rapid growth, New Zealand’s fifth-largest city still offers these simple holiday pleasures – alongside new ways to have fun.Water lovers can swim with dolphins or embark on a cultural paddleboard tour, as well as take a simple dip in Pilot Bay. Have a surf, or opt to ride a blokart, e-bike or take a virtual-reality jaunt in a fighter jet. Everyone’s favourite wharfside fish and chip shop is still serving freshly caught, paper-wrapped kaimoana. So too are farms offering pick-your-own blueberries,boysenberries, raspberries and drip-down-your-chin strawberries – or taste that fresh produce at sophisticated new eateries serving innovative dishes inspired by global trends and locally-grown produce.

GET BEACHSIDE
For the ultimate scenic workout, climb Mauao, the landmark maunga that stands at the end of Mt Maunganui peninsula and affords 360-degree views of islands, beach, inner harbour, urban sprawl and distanthills. Or stroll the base track beneath gnarled pōhutukawa boughs and watch for seals, passing ships and the statue of Tangaroa, god of the sea. Venture off the path to explore the many fascinating rock pools along the way. For an intimate encounter withl arger marine mammals, join Orca Wild Adventures to swim alongside dolphins and visit some of the Bay of Plenty’s stunning offshore islands. Their dolphin-spotting success rate is impressive, and you can use their gear to snorkel with schools of fish.On the sheltered, harbour side of the peninsula, Pilot Bay is strung with beachside barbecue spots and moored boats. Here East Coast Paddler gives lessons and hires out paddleboards, as well as offering guided waka ama or stand up paddleboarding experiences that can include Māori cultural storytelling. Just off the main beach, Moturiki Island is a former pā site and is now a protected reserve that’s a prime spot to witness the power of the ocean. Waves shoot skywardsat “the blowhole” at the northern end, which is joined to the mainland and has also been the location of a quarry, an aquarium, and an aquatic fun park. Look out for the surf-school banners and food trucks that park up the beach from here, on Marine Parade. A couple of blocks away, the Mount’s main street offers some of the bay’s best boutique shopping and oodles of cafes and restaurants, including local favourites Eightyeight Cafe, The General, and Eddies & Elspeth.

Water lovers can swim with dolphins or embark on a cultural paddleboard tour, as well as takea simple dip in Pilot Bay.

HEAD FOR THE HILLS
Mauao isn’t the only notable high place around here. Further down the coast, and a short drive inland, Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park tracks roam over half a dozen pā sites and through the occasional herd of cowsor flock of sheep. The coastal views are glorious and the 135ha park also overlooks the neat, tree-lined blocks that mark neighbouring Te Puke as kiwifruit heartland. On the northern side of town Te Puna Quarry Park is another family-friendly spot to explore. The former quarry is filled with artworks and meandering tracks that run through themed garden areas designed to attract butterflies or showcase plants from a particular nation. There’s no charge for entry and it’s handy to child-friendly Nourish Cafe, which offers an impressive array of cabinet food (including plentyof dairy- and gluten-free options) and a pleasant outdoor play area.

GET PEDALLING
Bikers rejoice! The Tauranga region caters to everyone from hard-core off-roaders to those seeking a gentle e-cycle option. Summerhill and Oropi Grove offer hill-country mountain biking a short drive from the city, with Oropi Hot Pools (1km up the road from the latter) providing relief for aching muscles. Drive anotherfour minutes past the hot pools to reach Somerfields Berryfruit Farm for a great array of freshly picked or pick your own berries or buy house-made jams. Find TECT All Terrain Park bike trails further out, en route to Rotorua, alongside options for horse riders, motorcyclists and rally-car drivers as well as height junkies willing to tackle the Adrenaline Forest high-wire course. The city’s former landfill is home to a BMX track, while Pāpāmoa and Mt Maunganui sport new pump tracks. One of the region’s nicest trails runs between Omokoroa Beach and the Wairoa River. Mostly off-road and much of it coastal, it includes a couple of gentle hills and some quiet country roads. Grab a bite at Omokoroa Boat Club or take a minor detour to slake your thirst at The Cider Factorie, with a daytime restaurant and “munchkins menu” for ravenous young riders.

GET WET
For aquatic entertainment away from the beach, families tend to gravitate to Baywave TECT Aquatic & Leisure Centre for its indoor hydroslide and wavepool, or Mount Hot Pools for outdoor splashing at the foot of the maunga. A lesser-known, and free of charge, swimming option is the tidal steps, pier and dedicated dive-bombing platform that now connects the inner city to its harbour. What’s more, the steps are right in front of the much-loved Hairy Maclary and Friends sculpture that celebrates the work of local author Dame Lynley Dodd. Fernland Spa, a 10-minute drive away in Bethlehem, is ideal for a pre-bedtime thermal mineral pool soak, with steam softening an illuminated, ponga-filled gully. Need more aqua action? Learn to kitesurf or sail. Tauranga is renowned for both. Or head to Waimarino Water and Adventure Park to kayak, climb, swing, slide or ping off the blob into the Wairoa River. They also operate an evening kayak tour that leads visitors on a lake to a watery canyon studded with glow worms. There’s a magical quality about this paddling trip, which can be undertaken in double or single kayaks, or in a longer “kanu” that fits the whole family. It's worth returning to the lake and surrounding McLaren Falls Park during the day, too. The 190ha park is a favourite picnicking, walking and swimming spot for locals, who also come to see the waterfalland to pet, feed, ride or admire the residents of Marshall’s Animal Park.

Pick your aircraft – the F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun?World War II Spitfire?F18 Hornet? – and choose a solo mission.

GET A BUZZ
Thrill seekers and speed demons need to head to Bay Station, alongside Baypark raceway, to try a blokart. These sail-powered go-karts can really move so riders need to be at least eight years old. Other offerings include drift trikes, paintball, and laser tag. The Aviator Experience situated on Aerodrome Road promises a startlingly realistic, military-grade flight simulation courtesy of some fancy software and detailed, locally built hardware. Pick your aircraft – the F-14 Tomcat from Top Gun? World War II Spitfire? F18 Hornet? – and choose a solo mission across the English Channel or a dogfight with fellow pilots.A minute’s drive from here, Classic Flyers Museum displays the real thing.

THE BIG CHILL
No summer holiday is complete without ice cream. Lots of ice cream. There’s no shortage in Tauranga. For speciality ice creams try old favourite, Copenhagen Cones, at the base of Mauao or head round the corner to Monte Gelato for swirled deliciousness. A few blocks away, in the main Mount shopping area, get frozen yoghurt at Yo and Co, while Polar Dessert Bar uses a cold plate for theatrical, decadent made-while-you-watch desserts. New kid on the block is Mount Made Ice Cream, specialising in local flavours, including Somerfield strawberry ice cream. For the best licorice ice cream in the city (and excellent food) visit popular Tauranga restaurant Somerset Cottage. Oscar & Otto serves Waikato-made Kowhai Creamery gelato in the daytime cafe, then pop nextdoor for a sharing-plate meal in the evening. Whatever you are looking for in a family summer holiday, be it action-packed, salt sprayed or lazy as, Tauranga has many other places licked.

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