❤️Tauranga Day Trip

A casual play-by-play of my Tauranga day trip last weekend! 📝 The highlight? Hiking up Mount Maunganui! I took my time—no rushing, just stopping to snap photos of the sea peeking through the trees—and round-trip only took 2 hours. Let me tell you, it’s a *solid* workout for your heart, lungs, and glutes! My butt was sore the whole next day, but hey, sore muscles = well-earned views, right? 💪 Tauranga’s such a hit with locals—every beach spot and café seemed busy with families and friends soaking up the sun 🌞. Though I had a tiny hiccup: the cute bookstore I wanted to visit closed at 2 PM sharp (total bummer, missed it by 10 mins! 🫠). And finding a parking spot near the beach? Nearly impossible—drove around for 20 mins before finally grabbing one a bit further away (pro tip: arrive early if you want a spot close to the shore!). Even with those small snags, it was such a nice day out—fresh sea air, post-hike ice cream from a nearby shop, and that laid-back coastal vibe that makes Tauranga feel like a little hidden gem. Worth every sore muscle and parking hassle! ✨ #Tauranga #TaurangaDayTrip #NewZealandWeekend #CoastalHikes #NZTravel