Travel Tuesday: Tauranga

{View of the Mount from the top of Te Puna Quarry Park}

Tauranga is a cool place. We only stayed for two days but wanted to make sure we could squeeze in a bit of an adventure and the beach, as well as a bit of relaxation time before heading home. I hadn’t heard much of anything about the area except that we should go to Maunganui Beach.

It was a nice place to sunbathe (BYO shade because it’s all open!). I didn’t die over the ocean though, the surf was wicked but the seaweed was excessive! I’d still give it a go again though, especially if the weather was the same as it was when we were there!

{Pre-trip coffee stop & photoshoot #lovedowntownTauranga}

{Ginormous waterfall situation!} 

{The water was FREEZING!}

If you’ve got a car, travel out to the Kaiate Falls. They aren’t huge, but it was really pretty and quite peaceful with no one else there. The walk there is maybe ten minutes, so you probably don’t need to dress like you’re going on an intense walk! (Tip: if you’re using GPS, type in Kaiate Falls Rd, Waitao 3175, don’t just search for it!).

{Hiding in the shade by the pool}

If you’re looking to relax and unwind, go to Fernland Spa. You can chill out in the main pool, which is a natural hotspring, and get a 30 minute massage all for $40! It was worth every cent, I swear!

{Te Puna Quarry sculptures}

{Giant jandals} 

{Pretty flowers in the park} 

{Dragon in the playground}

On our last morning we had a couple of hours to kill so we went to Te Puna Quarry Park. It was a really cool place to chuck our shoes on for a walk and there were some really interesting and interactive sculptures. There was a whole section of sculptures that were basically giant musical instruments. You better believe I played the giant xylophone and bashed the gong!

I’m glad I got to cross another awesome place off my list of spots to see in my own backyard.

Love times infinity,

Justine x