TL;DR
Mount Maunganui, in the Bay of Plenty, is one of New Zealand's favourite beach holiday towns. Camping is at holiday parks right by the beach — the well-known Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park sits at the foot of the Mount, with Cosy Corner and Papamoa nearby. There's no freedom camping in town, so book a holiday park, especially over summer. Highlights: climbing Mauao (the Mount), the surf beach and the hot saltwater pools.
Few beach towns pack in as much as Mount Maunganui. 'The Mount' has a long golden surf beach on one side, a calm harbour on the other, hot pools at the base and an extinct volcanic cone you can climb for one of the best views in the North Island. It's a brilliant place to camp.
Camping at Mount Maunganui means beachside holiday parks rather than freedom camping. The best-known is the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, right at the foot of Mauao (the Mount) and steps from the surf; Cosy Corner and the Papamoa parks are nearby alternatives. There's no freedom camping in town, so book ahead — summer is very busy.
Where to stay
The Beachside Holiday Park is the classic: powered and non-powered sites literally between the beach and the base of the Mount, with the hot pools next door. It books out well ahead for summer and New Year, so reserve early. A little further along the coast, Cosy Corner and the Papamoa Beach parks are calmer and often easier to get into, still with beach access.
Climbing the Mount (Mauao)
The must-do is walking up Mauao itself. The base track is an easy flat loop; the summit track is a steeper 45-minute climb rewarded with a panorama over the beach, the harbour and out to the islands. Go at sunrise if you can — locals do it before work.
Beaches, surf and hot pools
Main Beach is a long, consistent surf beach that's patrolled in summer — great for swimming and learning to surf. On the harbour side the water is flat and calm, better for families and paddleboards. And at the foot of the Mount, the hot saltwater pools are the perfect end to a day on the sand.
Planning your visit
Mount Maunganui sits in the Bay of Plenty, about three hours from Auckland and an easy add-on to a North Island trip — Rotorua's geothermal parks are only an hour inland. Book your holiday park early in summer and travel self-contained for flexibility. See our campers.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, at beachside holiday parks such as the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park at the foot of the Mount, plus Cosy Corner and the Papamoa parks nearby. There's no freedom camping in town, so book a site in advance.
No. The town doesn't allow freedom camping, so you'll need to book a holiday park. A certified self-contained camper still gives you more options elsewhere in the Bay of Plenty.
The summit track takes about 45 minutes up and is fairly steep; the flat base track loop takes around 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace.
Very. The patrolled surf beach, calm harbour side, hot pools and easy walks make it one of the most family-friendly beach spots in the country.
Written by the JustGoodCampers team
Family-owned camper rental in New Zealand. justgoodcampers.com
