If you’re thinking about a little escape from Auckland, let me tell you about the amazing long weekend my husband and I had recently in Tauranga. We packed up a comfy rental car, hit the road, and discovered some real gems – from beautiful beaches to mouth-watering food. Here’s a little peek into our trip!
Day One
After an easy drive down from Auckland (only about 3 hours!), we checked into the Quest Tauranga Central. It’s such a great spot – clean, modern, and right in the heart of everything. Literally surrounded by cute cafés, great restaurants, and all the good vibes you want on a weekend away. We dropped our bags, freshened up, and set out to explore.
First stop: Mount Maunganui! We spent the afternoon wandering the boutique shops – everything from surf stores to little fashion boutiques tucked into laneways. The Mount has such a cool, laid-back energy; it’s impossible not to fall into holiday mode. Of course, no trip to the Mount is complete without a treat! We grabbed iced coffees from Mount Made Ice Cream, and trust me, they were perfect on a warm day.
After a chilled-out afternoon, we were ready for some dinner. We found Rice Rice Baby – a modern Vietnamese restaurant – and it totally hit the spot. Fresh, vibrant flavors and delicious cocktails. We shared a few plates (the Salt and pepper squid, Nest Spring rolls and chicken salad were standouts!)
Day Two
The next morning, we decided to set the alarms early and head out to Kaiate Falls. It’s a bit off the beaten track, but absolutely worth the drive. The walk through the native bush was just stunning – the sound of the waterfalls echoing through the trees made it feel like we were a world away. Just a heads-up though: there are some steep, rocky steps along the way, so you’ll want to watch your footing.
After working up an appetite, we made our way back into Tauranga in search of coffee. We stumbled across Excelso Coffee Roasters – a little tucked away but absolutely buzzing with locals, which is always a good sign! The coffee definitely lived up to the hype.
If you’re a foodie, Tauranga has some fantastic places to eat that you definitely don’t want to miss. We couldn’t resist picking up one of the famous cheese scones from Spongedrop, they’re just as good as everyone says! Spongedrop also makes mouth-watering cupcakes and beautiful cakes that are almost too pretty to eat. We also made a stop at Wildflour Eatery, which I had heard were well known for their incredible cinnamon rolls. Unfortunately, we arrived a little too late and missed out, but we didn’t leave empty-handed, their wholesome slices were just as delicious and perfect for a road trip treat.
For lunch, we kept it casual and tried Falafel Metro, just down the road from our hotel. They serve up the most delicious Pitas, Salad Bowls and loaded fries – fresh, colourful, and packed with flavor. After lunch, we decided to head down to Papamoa, where the vibe is a little more laid-back compared to the Mount. We spent some time exploring the area, checking out the local shops and seeing what was happening along the beach.
Later that evening, we caught up with some old friends of mine from school over dinner at The Barrio Brothers, another great spot close to our hotel. Good Mexican food, even better margaritas, and lots of laughs – the perfect way to end the day!
Day Three
On our last day, we decided to get up early and squeeze in a 10km run along the waterfront at Mount Maunganui. It was still dark when we set off, but even just after 6am, the area was buzzing – plenty of people were already making their way up the Mount with headlamps on. It felt like the whole town was quietly waking up with us. Running alongside the ocean, breathing in the salty air, and soaking up those incredible beach views while the sun was rising was the perfect way to burn off some energy before the drive home. Just watch out for those E-scooters parked up on the footpath!
And of course, we couldn’t hit the road without one last coffee. Luckily, The Med Café, just across the road from our hotel, was open for breakfast. It was exactly what we needed – a good coffee and a quick bite before starting the journey home.
Bonus: Road Trip Essentials
- Playlist suggestion: Chill New Zealand artists for the drive.
- Road trip snacks and drinks: Stop at a Supermarket or Four Square, they’re cheaper than a gas station.
- Pro tip: Always keep to the left side when driving; many rural roads are narrow.