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Mount Maunganui, also known as Mauao, is a popular destination in New Zealand for hiking. There are different trails available for hiking Mount Maunganui that vary based on difficulty, making it accessible for everyone. It is also a very important location due to it being an environmental sanctuary for different species, as well as its prominence in Māori legend.
In this guide, we will discuss the history of Mount Maunganui, the different trails available, and how to get there.
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Where is Mount Maunganui?
Mount Maunganui is located in the Bay of Plenty region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is located in the city of Tauranga, which is a popular coastal destination. The mountain is located in the suburb of Mount Maunganui.
How to Get to Mount Maunganui
To get to Mount Maunganui, you must first get to Tauranga. There are a couple of ways to do this.
How to Get to Tauranga
If you are coming to New Zealand, you will most likely arrive in Auckland. This is the busiest airport in New Zealand.
From Auckland, you can book a ticket with Intercity Buses. The journey will take 3-4 hours to arrive to Tauranga.
Because these buses operate from towns around New Zealand, you will be able to use them to easily get to Tauranga from anywhere on the North Island.
Tauranga to Mount Maunganui
The cheapest and easiest way to get to Mount Maunganui from Tauranga is by taking the #5 Bayhopper bus. This only cost $3.40 NZD ($2 USD in 2023, see current rates here) and only takes about 15 minutes from downtown Tauranga to get to Mount Maunganui.
Check out the schedule for Baybus buses.
The Legend of Mauao
The original inhabitants of New Zealand, the Māori, have a legend of Mount Maunganui, which they originally named Mauao.
There was a nameless hill who was a servant to Otānewainuku, a great mountain in the area. The hill was in love with Puwhenua, another hill in the region. However, Puwhenua was already in love with Otānewainuku.
In desperation, the nameless hill wanted to drown himself in the ocean. He called on supernatural beings, the Patupaiarehe, to drag him into the ocean. However, they were only able to drag him to the edge of the ocean, because the sun rose and the Patupaiarehe fled. The hill was eventually called Mauao and earned a greater status than that of Otānewainuku.
What does Mauao mean?
Mauao means “caught by the dawn,” or “lit up by the first rays of sun” in Māori.
What does Maunganui mean?
The official name of the hill is Mount Maunganui. Maunganui means “large mountain” in Māori.
Hiking Mount Maunganui
There are several different trails available for hiking Mount Maunganui that vary in length and how steep they are.
Waikorire Trail
If you want to reach the summit of Mount Maunganui, I recommend taking the Waikorire trail on the way up. This trail starts at Maunganui Beach, and is the steepest trail. It consists of over 650 steps and took me about 30 minutes to climb.
This is the best trail to take on the way up because you will still have plenty of energy to reach the top. I recommend taking other routes to get down, so you will be able to see different views of the surrounding area.
Look Out Trail
While this is not much of a trail, it is worth doing because of the impressive views of Tauranga it will give you!
About 75% of the way up Waikorire trail, you will see a sign indicating another trail. It will simply say “Look Out (No Exit).” Walking along this trail takes about 3 minutes and is perfectly flat.
At the end of the trail, it is a little hard to see the view because of the tall vegetation. There is a bench you can stand on to see everything more easily.
Motukauri Trail
This trail also leads from the base of the mountain to the summit. I recommend taking this trail when you descend from the top. I was rewarded with impressive views of Matakana Island that I would not have seen if I was climbing up Motukauri Trail.
This trail ends at Pilot Bay Beach, on the other side of the sandbar from Maunganui Beach. This allows you to see all sides of the mountain.
Oruahine Trail
Another popular option is to take the Oruahine Trail. This trail branches off from the Waikorire Trail and goes around the northwest part of the mountain, eventually connecting with the Motukauri Trail.
This trail is not as steep as the Waikorire Trail, and may be a good alternative for those with mobility issues.
Mauao Base Trail
The Mauao Base Trail is very popular for those with children or mobility issues. As the name suggests, this scenic trail wraps around the base of the mountain, so you will not have to worry about steps or steep climbs.
From this trail, you will be able to appreciate views from all angles of the mountain. If you want, you can even walk down to the water and It will take you about 45 minutes to 1 hour to walk this trail.
The Summit of Mount Maunganui
What is on the Summit of Mount Maunganui?
There are a couple of monuments on the summit of Mount Maunganui, including the Peace Beacon Monument. There are also plans to build some kind of compass at the summit, but it has not been built yet.
Besides that, there is a map and a few places to sit and enjoy the panoramic views.
How Tall is Mount Maunganui?
Mount Maunganui has an elevation of 232 meters, or about 760 feet.
Where to Stay in Mount Maunganui
The town of Mount Manganui is growing rapidly, and there are plenty of places to stay. Hotels and hostels can fill up quickly, so it is best to book in advance!
If you are a budget traveler, I recommend staying at Mount Backpackers, which is just a few hundred meters from the mountain, or at Wanderlust NZ in nearby Tauranga.
Check out the map below to see available accommodations.
Best Time to Visit Mount Maunganui
The most popular time to visit Mount Maunganui is during the Summer, from December to February. That means that prices for accommodations and flights will also be higher during this time.
The best time to visit Mount Maunganui is during the Spring, from September to November. During this time, the weather is not too cold, and you will be able to see the plants blooming during this time. There will also be less crowds during this time, so flights and accommodations will be cheaper.
