So Close, So Beautiful - Weekend Escape to Tauranga!

Just got back from Tauranga, and the post-trip glow is real! This sunny coastal town is pure retirement goals. 🌊☀️ 🚗 Itinerary Breakdown 1️⃣ First Stop: Blue Springs (2.5h from Auckland) 📍 Navigate to Blue Springs (Leslie Road entrance)—other gates are closed! 1-hour round-trip walk (partially reopened). Crystal-clear waters—like nature’s Instagram filter! 💙 2️⃣ Second Stop: Omanawa Falls (46min drive) 📍 Park at Omanawa Falls Track Car Park 3 Route Options: 10min: Old mine ruins + lower falls view. 20min: Lookout platform (best views!). 46min (one way): Death stairs to the base (knee-destroyer—I noped out). 😅 🌇 Evening: Checked into Tauranga, feasted like kings. Day 2 Highlights 3️⃣ Mount Maunganui 📍 Park at Pilot Bay Beach Breakfast with ocean views at a seaside café. 1.5hr hike: Steep but worth it—panoramic views of Tauranga’s heart-shaped coastline! ❤️ 4️⃣ The Historic Village Artsy paradise: Vinyl records, indie cinema, galleries, workshops (weaving, painting, more!). Think Beijing’s 798, but with Kiwi charm. 🎨 5️⃣ Patrick’s Pies (Goldstar Bakery) Award-winning pies? Skeptical until I devoured TWO. Must-try: Seafood mussel & roast duck flavors. 🦆🥧 Chef’s kiss! 6️⃣ Giant Lemon & Paeroa Bottle Scenic coastal drive toward Waihi. Paeroa = L&P soda’s hometown! Chugged the fizzy tea at Paeroa Café—obsessed. 🍋🥤 🌆 Back to Auckland by dusk—perfect weekend, zero regrets! #NZTravel #TaurangaWeekend #BlueSprings #HikeNZ #FoodieFinds #ArtsyVibes #PieLover #LPSoda #WeekendEscape