Car Rental Mount Maunganui Downtown

True to name, New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty offers an abundance of indulgence. Consider Mount Maunganui as the pinnacle experience located right in the heart of a spellbinding coastal region. This iconic volcanic cone (now thankfully extinct) is a nature playground rising to a 232-metre peak above the sea. Walk to the top of this lush green jewel and you’ll be rewarded with commanding 360-degree views. Stretching over miles of flawless beaches, the expanse of an entire coastline rolls out in spectacular fashion. Little wonder that ‘The Mount’, as the locals call it, is renowned as the North Island’s ultimate beach destination. TripAdvisor went so far as to crown it ‘The Best Beach in New Zealand’, and The Mount is regularly ranked among the 25 best beaches in the world. When you see this sublime oasis with your own eyes, and feel the powdery white sand between your toes, it will be hard to say otherwise.

While it may be rare for one destination to be all things to all people, if you’re seeking a multi-attraction holiday nirvana, The Mount may just be it. From relaxation to high action, Mount Maunganui has got you covered. Swim in the warm waters and unwind on the sheltered shores of Pilot Bay. Slip across the sands to the ocean waves, ride a world-class break, or take your first surfing lesson at Main Beach. Soak in healing hot ocean baths, paired with a massage, at Mount Hot Pools. Pack up your towel and togs and go al fresco at the great range of pubs, delis and beachy cafes, through to upmarket bars and fine-dining restaurants, all just moments away. Browse Main Street for galleries and gifts, surf shops and boutiques. Catch the Gourmet Night Markets for tasty bites with fresh local flavour. Sit on the deck and watch the sunset at The Rising Tide, with dumplings and liquid amber from the in-house brewery. Drink and dine in the funky ambience of Astrolabe, a firm favourite.

And if you’re looking for some water sports or outdoor adventure, Mount Maunganui will never disappoint. Go diving, sea kayaking, jet skiing, whitewater rafting or stand-up paddling. Book a marine wildlife tour to chill and swim with dolphins, plus there’s whale watching versus big game fishing. If you prefer to stay grounded, have some fun on a blokart – these speedy, wind-powered go-karts, aptly dubbed ‘land yachts’, will get you places fast! Then when the day is done, wind down from all the excitement with a tranquil after-dark glow worm tour.

Located just a few minutes from the popular waterfront destination of Tauranga, and an hour from the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, Mount Maunganui is an ideal base to embark on a vacation that offers a lifetime of memories. Just grab the wheel of your hire car, and dial up the style of adventure that suits you most.

Get to know Mount Manganui’s best spots with the help of your hire car

A great way to get the lay of the land is to experience Mount Maunganui and its stunning surrounds by sea. Take a scenic Kewpie Cruise from Pilot Bay Wharf through the vibrant port of Tauranga and the islands of the beautiful harbour. Depending on the season, you’ll encounter New Zealand fur seals, blue penguins and seabirds, along with orcas and dolphins. Discover quiet village settlements, sandy white beaches and verdant forests. Drop anchor to explore idyllic Matakana Island. Opt to stay for a swim, to fish or enjoy a picnic, and you’ll be picked up on the way home. As a nice perk for families, kids under 12-years travel for free.

If you prefer a higher vantage point, take an adventure chopper from Tauranga Airport just 10-minutes away, or a carbon-neutral scenic flight. Select from an amazing range of tours, and soon you could be making a lap around Mauao (The Mount’s summit), and be treated to breathtaking vistas of sweeping beaches, untouched native forests, ranges, rivers and some of New Zealand’s mightiest waterfalls. For a special indulgence, land for brunch at the award-winning Surf Shack Eatery; or relish a lunch of fine cuisine at Tree Tops, Rotorua’s luxury lodge, after skimming over the Papamoa Hills.

Your hire car will help you to discover Mount Manganui’s many sides 

Jump on your bike and head off the beaten track to explore the native bush and trails around Mount Maunganui and the Bay of Plenty Area. Arrange a hire to suit all the family, from infants and older. Another easy way to discover more of The Mount is on foot. Take the bridge from Main Beach and stroll the protected reserve of Moturiki (Leisure Island) with blow-holes and quiet spots for rock fishing. Once an early Māori settlement with terraced pā fortress, it also had its time in the sun as a quarry, an aquarium, and later as a leisure park with hydro-slides and bumper cars, before returning to its natural state. 

Get to know the rich history and culture surrounding Mount Maunganui and Tauranga through its art and stories. Tour the museums, galleries and significant heritage sites in Tauranga. Venture further to appreciate the work of master carvers in Ōpōtiki’s main street – regarded as one of the first Māori settlements – and seek out a sacred 2,500 year-old Puriri tree in Hukutaia Domain. Take the famed mural walk with a local guide in Katikati, just 45-minutes away, and admire the public sculptures and carvings featured in the town’s streets and galleries. All this and more can be explored in your hire car from The Mount downtown. Discover for yourself the must-see attractions and many hidden gems.