Activity Category: The Mount/Tauranga

Henry & Ted Café, Papamoa

Bright airy café, popular with locals. There’s a large menu covering breakfast/brunch and lunch options. There’s also a cabinet with lots of savoury and sweet baked goodies – GF, DF and refined sugar free options are all available. Vegetarians are also catered for throughout. There’s a small kids’ menu (crepes,…

Baywave Aquatic Centre, playground and skatepark, Mount Maunganui

This is the largest swimming pool complex in the area and if you can’t get out to the beach for any reason, it makes a good alternative. There’s a lap pool, leisure pool with waves, toddlers’ pool with waterfall feature and a beach area. There’s also a hydroslide, although it…

Fernland Spa Thermal Mineral Springs, Tauranga

There are hot pools at The Mount but these pools are recommended as being less busy and therefore a more tranquil and less commercial experience. There is one main outdoor pool that is surrounded by Punga Ferns and is heated to approximately 37/38 degrees. There are also 8 private indoor…

Copenhagen Cones, Mount Maunganui

This ice cream shop is a bit of an institution in Mount Maunganui so in the summer, beware, there can be long queues (although most seem to think the wait is worth it)! The cones are freshly made and available in 2 different sizes, while regular cones come in 4 different…

Hairy Maclary Sculptures and Waterfront Playground, Tauranga

If your kids have ever been into Hairy Maclary books, it’s worth stopping at the sculptures on the waterfront which bring all the main characters of Lynley Dodd’s most famous books to life. The bronze sculptures can be climbed on and provide a good photo opportunity. Just nearby there’s also the…

The Mount walks and beaches, Mount Maunganui

Walking around the base of The Mount (Maouo) should be doable for all ages. It’s 3.4km and the path is suitable for buggies. For access points and toilets, please see the map here. You can also walk and push a buggy to the top but it’s very steep and takes…

Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga

Started by plane enthusiasts and located near the airport, this is a great rainy day option with most displays located in one open hangar (a separate hangar has planes that are currently being restored and some planes are outside). Avgas cafe is attached to the main hangar and there’s an outdoor playground if…

Scooter and skatepark, Tauranga

The skatepark has the usual ramps enjoyed by skateboarders, kids on scooters and BMX riders but right next to it is also a little concrete area marked out with painted lines for younger kids to follow tracks. It’s basic (no road signs or speed humps like some mini road systems)…

BayStation, Tauranga

Blokart Sailing and Drift Karts are both available here and a lot of fun for the whole family. To ride solo you need to be 8 years old+ (and for Drift Karts you also need to be a minimum of 140cm in height). But Blokart Sailing offers shadow side cars…

Memorial Park, Tauranga

Something for everyone at this park – 2 playgrounds (including slides coming out of a rocket ship!), mini putt (see under ‘contacts’ for more details), outdoor pools in the summer months and a miniature train. There are also BBQs, lots of grass for running around on and big old trees providing…