North Island, NZ | Tauranga Weekend Coastal Travel Hotspots 📍

A 2-day guide to hitting all the key spots in this sunny Bay of Plenty gem—perfect for a laid-back weekend escape! 😎 Day 1️⃣ 📍 Giant Lemon & Paeroa Bottle This iconic giant L&P (Lemon & Paeroa, NZ’s famous soda) bottle is a total must-stop! 🥤 It’s right on the way from Auckland to Tauranga—pull over for 5 mins to snap a fun photo with this quirky local landmark. No need to plan extra time; it’s a quick, cheerful detour! 🍴 Harbourside Tons o recommendations for a reason! 📱 The location is unbeatable—you can dine with views of the sea and the train bridge 🌉. The menu leans into fresh local seafood, so it’s a great spot to fuel up while soaking in harbor vibes (book ahead if you’re visiting at peak time!). 🏡 The Historic Village Honestly, it’s a bit quiet and not super exciting—but the little colonial-style houses are cute for photos! 📸 The real highlight? A shop here packed with vintage vinyl records 🎶—if you’re a music lover, it’s worth a browse. Otherwise, a 20-minute stroll to soak up the old-timey vibe is plenty. 🏨 88 Chinese Restaurant (Cantonese Cuisine) This spot is *always* busy—definitely make a reservation first! 📞 The food is solid (classic Cantonese dishes), but skip the fried dough sticks (youtiao)—they’re surprisingly hard! Stick to dim sum or seafood dishes for a safer bet. Day 2️⃣ 🏔️ Mount Maunganui (Mauao) Skip the summit hike if you want to take it easy—opt for the coastal trail at the base of the mountain instead! 🚶♀️ It’s super relaxing, with sea breezes and ocean views the whole way. Locals say you might spot seals 🦭 here, but sadly I didn’t catch a glimpse (fingers crossed for you!). 🍦 Copenhagen Cones This ice cream shop is *incredibly* popular—and for good reason! Their waffle cones are made fresh to order, crispy and fragrant, and pair perfectly with their creamy ice cream (try the honey or vanilla flavor! 🍯). Expect a short line, but it’s totally worth the wait. 🍜 Rice Rice Baby 🇻🇳 A casual Vietnamese chain spot—great for a quick, tasty lunch! Their pho is hearty and flavorful, with fresh herbs and tender beef. It’s not the most authentic ever, but it’s satisfying if you’re craving Asian food after a morning of exploring. 🥠 Patrick’s Pies Goldstar Bakery Bethlehem This bakery has won *so many awards* for its pies—and the roast duck pie 🦆 is the star! Flaky pastry, juicy duck filling, and just the right amount of sauce. Grab one to go for a picnic or eat it fresh at the bakery—you won’t be disappointed. 🌊 Omanawa Falls Track Car Park There are a few viewpoints for the waterfall here—none require a super long walk, but be ready for some uphill sections (a little tiring, but manageable! 💪). The best part? The small green pool at the base of the falls—it’s crystal-clear and looks like something out of a fairy tale ✨. 🌊 McLaren Falls Park We stumbled across this waterfall by accident—and it was one of the best surprises of the trip! 🤩 You can get *super close* to the water, and the surrounding greenery makes it feel like a hidden oasis. It’s a reminder that some of NZ’s prettiest spots are the unplanned ones! #NewZealand #NewZealandTravel #NewZealandLife #NorthIslandNZ #NewZealandDaily #Auckland #HiddenGetaway #NZTrip