Mount Maunganui & McLaren Falls | Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALAND

When visiting Mt Maunganui aka The Mount in The Bay of Plenty, climbing to the summit of Mauao is an absolute must-do activity. The view from the top is magnificent and well worth the steep and steady climb!
Mauao is an extinct volcanic cone and an iconic landmark of the coastal Bay of Plenty for both tourists and locals alike.
There are tons of cafes and restaurants to eat at in Mount Maunganui. For lunch we went to a very colourful eatery that caught our eye when we initially drove past called Rice Rice Baby. Fresh and tasty Vietnamese food. It totally hit the spot after our climb up the mount!
Rice Rice Baby
Address: 136 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui 3116
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:30am - late
After lunch we headed over to McLaren Falls and McLaren Falls Park which is only about 10 mins from Tauranga but it's longer when coming from Mount Maunganui like we did. While at McLaren Falls Park we enjoyed a leisurely stroll to Lake McLaren before making our way over to Te Puna where our accommodation for the night was.
Our Airbnb was a lovely cosy studio cottage. A gem nestled in the country-side with wonderful views, that's still close enough to Tauranga city too. Karen was a very warm and welcoming host and her Airbnb was such a comfortable stay.
Karen's Airbnb
www.airbnb.co....
#tauranga #mountmaunganui #bayofplenty #mtmaunganui #newzealand #nz
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VLOG DATE: 25 Mar 2021
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[@barryeldridge2998]

wow yes did that all bring back some nice memories thank you both , as i said before loved mount maunganui, yes a hard climb but well worth it ,advice though its better to climb it in the early morning or evening time in the summer as it can get so hot . loved revisiting mclaren falls and park .but did you manage to see the other falls in the park on your walk and also there was a small animal park there too when i went but perhaps through covid it might have been closed, i remember there was school trips to the animal park as well, i thought Tauranga was a super place, and if you like a day at the races they have a nice racetrack too. thank you both again you are my ray of sunshine every week . take care ,,

[@PeterandYen]

Hey Barry 😁👋 great advice about the early morning climb however yen and I anyways tend to sleep in 😅 getting up early is hard for us hahaha but certainly would have been a lot less hot 🔥 ahhh I think the animal park might have been closed because the Cafe was closed too and I dunno how but we missed the other falls 😅 will need to go back again and find them next time we're over. I think we were both not on full alert that day after that climb 😂 neither of us has been to the races before wouldn't mind trying one day though. Take care have a great week 🤙

[@nickandhelmi]

Really clean and well kept trails - seems this is one of the easier trails for yen hehe - really a cracker of a view from the top through the leafy greens into the beach - the rocky formation reminds me of bali.

[@PeterandYen]

😯 ooo yeah! They do kind of look like Bali, with winter fast approaching I'm hoping for a typical island escape 😅

[@billyb5057]

oh wow quite a climb up there but the view is beautiful nice food guys nice falls very rocky there the lake is beautiful *got our like👍Au👍always we fully view*

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks Billy 👍 bay of plenty is a great spot to see some natural beauty n get a mean feed

[@Bayofplentynz]

Awesome! Looks like you had a great time in the wonderful Bay of Plenty, thanks for visiting!

[@PeterandYen]

Always a great time in the bay of plenty thanks for dropping by 😁🤙

[@daneydane29]

ooooh rice rice baby on the menu 😍💯

[@PeterandYen]

😁🤙 delicious 🌿

[@LifetimeTravelmates]

Look at the view from Mt Maunganui!!! that's so much worth! and vietnamese food!!! we rememer having that in Vietnam!! really yum!!! and the pho! no words needed for that. we would love to have the broth!!!! and look at the airbnb you guys are staying in! love the transparent window in the living room! nice view! really enjoyed this episode!

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks guys it was an awesome day out in bay of plenty. Always enjoy our time there

[@benmcindoe3232]

Bay of plenty is a stunning sight to see😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@PeterandYen]

Yo Ben early this week 😁👍 💯 agree with you must visit part of New Zealand

[@germaineboatwala-sidhva1079]

Fabulous place to visit truly! Gorgeous views, hikes, and food. 😁. Definitely on the list.... Peter in shoes, must remember!

[@PeterandYen]

😅 these days i only wear shoes when mum forces me when we go out to nicer restaurants 😂

[@DopamineDiscoveries]

Such good views!

[@PeterandYen]

💯🌿

[@FoodandFootprints]

Rice Rice Baby! What a name 😂😂

[@PeterandYen]

😂 genius right

[@damonclarke6070]

Love the video. Can't wait to get back home soon

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks Damon glad you enjoyed it 🤙

[@rogerwilco4736]

BOP, possibly one of the nicest areas of New Zealand

[@PeterandYen]

There's a lot of beautiful places in NZ n BOP definitely up there 🙌

[@lucassteedman5429]

That food place is Soo good I have been there alot

[@PeterandYen]

Nice 👌 rice 🍚 rice 🍚 baby is yum

[@FoodandFootprints]

Love these places that have beaches and mountains!

[@PeterandYen]

Hmmmm you're right! Excellent feng Sui 😂

[@lukeedwards271]

Thanks for this guys - we’re coming to NZ in 3 weeks for our honeymoon. Watched loads of your videos for inspo! Defo climbing this mountain on our first day with the camper!

[@PeterandYen]

No worries have an awesome trip 😁🤙

[@NateVlog1]

Whay a beautiful destination to visit

[@PeterandYen]

💯 bay of plenty is an awesome spot

[@HangryByNature]

What a great day to be out! hahah pete mega sweats. Amazing views! NZ = views for days haha Maaaan so nice the waitress went to look for you guys! super nice!! the rock formations are very unique at the falls. Looks cool and fun to adventure on. ooooo fold out desk is mint in accommodation, any desk really hahaha actually get some work done.

[@PeterandYen]

😅 yeah man when we stay at accommodations for long periods of time that desk becomes an essential item. Even for the overnight trips it is handy so that we can get the files transferred from the camera onto desk top 😅 KZbin life hahaha

[@FoodandFootprints]

Peaceful lakeside stroll. And even better that you have it all to yourself!

[@PeterandYen]

😅 a lotta beautiful spots are pretty quiet at the moment make the most of it while we can

[@nickandhelmi]

Rockpools! JUMP PETER!! 😂😂😂

[@PeterandYen]

Nooooooooo

[@vejaykopa9609]

I love my home haha

[@PeterandYen]

😁🤙

[@KimchiAndBeansVideos]

We would go for the view at the top too. Haha 😂The workout wouldn't be our favorite. Love the name of this Vietnamese spot and Yen's salad looks so so good. Perfect meal for a day of exploring. Having the park all to yourself is certainly a plus. :-)

[@PeterandYen]

😂 sometimes life would be easier if you could just teleport to places 😂

[@jasonhohaia9631]

excellent pronounciation of Mau-ao Peter..well done bro.

[@PeterandYen]

Nice 👌 was a tricky one 😁

[@princebange7308]

Great Vlog❤‍🩹❤‍🩹

[@mariaandbryan]

Rice rice baby, the vietnamese spot that you told us in the comments. We should have made the song for you guys hahaha "Rice rice baby....." No basil in New Zealand, I will bring you a sac when we come to NZ (one day) love basil!!!

[@PeterandYen]

😂 o no don't do that it'll get confiscated at border control 😂 We do have basil but it's quite hard to grow cause of the cold 🥶

[@TheWorldnUs]

One of our favourite memories of NZ was hiking Mt Maunganui. Amazing views!

[@PeterandYen]

😁👍 Mauao is an awesome mountain for sure ⛰

[@RudyVisuals]

I can imagine the waterfalls look a lot more awesome when there's more water but I think it's way more fun when you can actually go on them and explore 😃

[@PeterandYen]

😁 yeah always wanted to go behind the veil of a waterfall and see what's behind there

[@mariaandbryan]

Peter, no matter what, don't jump on rocks with flip-flops pleeeease! 🤣🤣🤣 wow, no one? Perfect for recording.

[@PeterandYen]

It's either flip flops or barefoot gotta choose one or the other 😁

[@PeterandYen]

You know what's pretty cool there was a guy who ran up and down the mountain barefoot 😂 that's NZ for ya

[@LanaTiare]

Love the views at the top of the mount! What a cute restaurant! Yum, and the food looks super good too! True I've never see basil on the pho in NZ. I like how they added some on top! In Vietnam, they give you a whole plate of it haha. Wow, beautiful rock formations at the waterfalls! That's so cool! Got the whole park to yourself. Love the Airbnb, very modern looking. Lovely view!

[@PeterandYen]

😍🌿🌿 o man miss those massive plates of herbs that you get in Vietnam. Needa head back there soon. A plate like that will probably cost you $30 here in nz 😂

[@LanaTiare]

@@PeterandYen Yeah! It’s amazing how much herbs they give you over there! Definitely. You would never see that in NZ as a complimentary dish 😂

[@MarkSandoval]

Awesome you guys are here in the mount 🙌

[@PeterandYen]

😁🤙 love the mount

[@fathimazahra3868]

Such an amazing view.. Loved the video as always.💗

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks Fathima 😁✌ glad you enjoyed the video. Have an awesome week ahead 😊

[@germaineboatwala-sidhva1079]

Sooo beautiful! So relaxing and soulful! 😇 Always fun with you guys! 😀

[@PeterandYen]

😁 thank you ❤ glad you enjoyed it, was a really great couple of days for yen and I.

[@jorgerodriguezcastillo3887]

I want to live in Mount Maunganui 😍

[@PeterandYen]

I agree think the mount would be an awesome place to live. Such a great vibe there

[@mariaandbryan]

Lieles says thank you but he is going to stay at the beach and send the drone with you guys to the mountain hahahaha Jaw-dropping indeed. So beautiful 😍😍 we always get left behind, especially if I get Lieles to walk with me. He uses the filming as an excuse, but then I never see those shots in our videos 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@PeterandYen]

😂😂😂 you know if we all hang out there will be no hiding lieles you'll have to come on all the walks together

[@NorjahanAKarim]

Amazing view & Air BnB.

[@PeterandYen]

😁👍 totally agree

[@FoodandFootprints]

That view is just incredible, guys! Well worth the steep incline of a climb up

[@PeterandYen]

💯 one of our favorite short walks 🤙

[@tanyaturuwhenua8667]

Great pronunciation!

[@PeterandYen]

Phew glad I got that one right, thanks Tanya 😁🤙

[@bearsandbutters]

Hey Peter and Yen!! Love seeing Mount Maunganui! 30-40 min to get to the top isn't bad. Looks nicely groomed, and yes.. Sweaty Betty LOLOL!! What a magical view! That's not a bad elevation. We would want to eat after all that exercise too! Rice Rice Baby!! HAHAHAH!! What a great name! Both of you got really flavorful and healthy looking meals. $31 wasn't a bad price for all that food.

[@PeterandYen]

😂 so sweaty that the color of the camera changed... 😅 31 is actually pretty decent here now. I've noticed many restaurants have put prices up last year

[@thisisgenofeve]

That rice rice baby restaurant is really cute. I love the vibe of it. So many pretty views in this video. Your air bnb is pretty too id love to wake up to that peaceful view 😍

[@PeterandYen]

😁 rice rice baby was great, the pho was excellent, service was great👍we are lucky there are so many nice airbnbs around NZ 👌

[@jasonhutt9117]

Hi from Whangamata looks like some good places to swim in the summer here I have some good waterholes to swim near Whangamata

[@PeterandYen]

Hi Jason 👋 Whangamata has some nice beaches ay.. and donut Island too 🙂👍 Looking forward to summer!

[@bearsandbutters]

McLaren Falls is a cool destination as well. Love the rocks there and cool you can walk down there. Can you swim in that water? Didn't look like there were a lot of people visiting there today, it's like you had the whole place to yourselves. (Love you mentioned it later)!! Your AirBnB was really nice, and love it had some basic kitchen stuff! We love the view too! $95/night is a great price! Thank you for taking us with you and love you guys to the moon!! 💖🥰😘

[@PeterandYen]

You can swim in there 😉 but we've been traveling during weekdays and workdays so it is much quiter. A lil hack if you do want these destinations to yourself. Apparently if you go in the holidays the area is packed.

[@bearsandbutters]

@@PeterandYen We like to travel off season, and outside of holidays too!! Good to know for visiting that area!! :)

[@FoodandFootprints]

I’d be hyped for the fresh herbs too! Here in Thailand, we get big bunches of the fresh basil and other greens

[@PeterandYen]

Oooooo stop making me so jealous hahahaha. Miss that so much. The fresh herbs 🌿are so essential don't just taste good but after consuming you feel great too

[@TwoHungryDiners]

Another awesome road trip guys! The view from the summit of Mauao is absolutely breathtaking 😍 Hahha nice restaurant name, Rice Rice Baby. Glad to hear that beef pho was a satisfying meal for Peter. I can imagine how much salad they gave you in Vietnam compared to in NZ. Pho in Australia is also served with only a few leaves of basil haha. Love the airbnb, especially with abundant natural lighting that goes through the room. You guys should take some insta worthy pictures in the room since you have stayed at so many airbnbs 😁

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks guys 😁✌️ Yea in Vietnam the plates of herbs are like little mountains hahah 😆 oo yea good idea.. I think I did take a photo of this place coz we had a great sunset! Always got too many photos to post lol 😅

[@mariaandbryan]

Before Yen opens the door, I am already in love with that Airbnb. 😍😍 What a view guys! The road trip has been really beautiful to see. The water is just so beautiful and blue! Let's see what you guys post tomorrow 😍

[@PeterandYen]

😁✌ it was an awesome trip.. this last year has been full of these great adventures

[@Eskii_NZL]

Many people swim there and jump from the bridge and many rocks there. The big waterhole under the bridge is the most common spot for teens and adults to swim as you can jump from many various rocks and the bridge (some stupidly brave people jump from the green power station there aswell). The top pool you guys walked near is more common for elder adults and young children as its calm and more of a relaxing spot. Spent many summers there, its usually really packed but judging by the lighting you visited on a colder day or later in the afternoon. But other then that I loved the video, got to see me home town I miss dearly 😁

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks for sharing some of your memories from this awesome spot. With the NZ borders relatively closed its been awesome traveling around cause all the best spots have so few ppl 😁👍

[@nikkilogan7726]

Love Tauranga 😍🥰🇳🇿💖

[@PeterandYen]

😁✌ it's an awesome spot for sure

[@raywayski]

👏👏👏We took a morning hike up this mountain before our half day tour of Tauranga! So excited that we have been to four places that we’ve seen on your vlogs (Huami Restaurant, Mission Estate Winery, Fiordland and Mt. Maunganui).

[@PeterandYen]

A morning hike sounds beautiful but very tiring hahaha. 4 stops is great and hopefully you'll have one or two more from the videos to add to the list next time you visit 😁✌

[@rob1971]

That walk up The Mount is one of my favourite short walks, well worth It for the views 🙂 Your Airbnb looks really nice too!

[@PeterandYen]

💯 agree, so stunning from the top. Guess that's why we've been quite a few times over the years 😁 the airbnb was great too 👍

[@deadlymantis4210]

In the summer we swim and chill in the pools at Mclaren falls. People jump off the bridge into the pools too

[@PeterandYen]

Meeaaaaan sounds awesome, such a nice spot

[@hakaraiaking3055]

Great pronouncing Peter 👏🏻 fave channel

[@PeterandYen]

Woo thanks for the confirmation Hakaraia 😁✌

[@berttroubleyn3475]

You never seem to run out of pretty spots in New-Zealand to vlog about - and now you can add an extra small county by the name of 'Straya to the list. Maybe teach them how to play rugby while you're there ;) Any idea if the McLaren Park and Falls are in any way related to world-famous kiwi racing driver and car manufacturer Bruce McLaren?

[@PeterandYen]

Interesting question Bert, the falls is named by Lloyd mandero who was an electrical engineer working on a adjoining power station. The falls was named after McLaren in honor of his neighbor who lost his only son in WWI. N yes no shortage of beautiful places for us to visit here which is great hahaha

[@ballyharryoutdoors]

Hey guys, you've got me going back over our pics from NZ. I wondered why we didn't climb the Mount, then realised we did Waitomo and Hobbiton before getting to Mount Maunganui that day! Desperately hoping to get back to NZ soon! Love your vids btw, we're living vicariously through you guys! Keep up the good work.

[@PeterandYen]

That sounds like an action packed day. All three of those places are awesome 👌 hope you do get the chance to visit again glad you're enjoying our kiwi videos 😁🤙

[@RudyVisuals]

rice rice baby 😂😂😂 that has to be my favourite restaurant name!

[@PeterandYen]

😂 yeah absolute genius

[@nickandhelmi]

Lmao genius

[@StewartVlogs]

Beautiful ☺️ spot guys!

[@PeterandYen]

💯🇳🇿 bay of plenty has plenty to see 😂

[@ayushgarg45]

Awesome destination😍😍 I love to see your videos as I get the ideas to visit the places😝😝

[@PeterandYen]

Hahaha nice 👌 if you do end up visiting let us know what you thought of the places too

[@ayushgarg45]

@@PeterandYen sure🤩🤩

[@mylifelately]

You guys are already fit and healthy, gosh that hike must be really tough😀

[@PeterandYen]

Hahahaha I dunno we were feeling pretty puffed by the end of that climb 😅

[@MountEdgeFightClub]

The Mount bistro chef Steven Barry. 1 of the best chefs in the world has a shop across the road from the hotpools. If you get down there you should book a night for dinner there.

[@RudyVisuals]

That climb looks a bit intimidating in that heat haha but that view is really worth it!

[@PeterandYen]

😂 NZ heat is not too bad there is always a lot of wind to keep you cool

[@Рианнон]

thank you)

[@PeterandYen]

Thank you for watching 😁

[@luceliaperalta5496]

Hello from Brazil, lovely video !

[@PeterandYen]

Olá! qual é o seu prato favorito? 😁

[@tiegunna599]

you should come down tomorrow

[@TinanaDIY]

You did a great job of pronouncing, sometimes I have difficulty with Mauao too!

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks Leah 😁👍 good to know it was all g

[@punjabindia]

I will be there next week

[@PeterandYen]

Have fun 👍 hope you get good weather 😁

[@darylmckay]

Mount Maunganui is pretty awesome and beautiful, although the horrific urban planning and resultant bad traffic mar the place.

[@PeterandYen]

O my gosh did notice that, thought it was just our bad luck that day but there was so much traffic getting in and out of the mount 😅

[@darylmckay]

@@PeterandYen Tauranga/Mount Maunganui are such great places, limited only by the vision of those involved in local government. This is the only place I can think of that voted in a referendum against funding a city museum 😳🤔

[@PeterandYen]

O my gosh.... why? 😅 really 🤔 that's a shocker

[@cyrusaish8540]

yeah tauranga my home town but unfortunately i live in auckland for years now

[@PeterandYen]

Hahaha Auckland is mint 👌 and pretty close from Tauranga

[@SeoulMan2020]

Ay yaaa so lucky!!! More glow worms?? Are they escapees from Waitomo that set up shop at McClaren Falls 🐛😁? Pho running through the veins sounds like the perfect post-hike recharge💪... Man, when is Vietnam gunna open...😢 As always, great video capturing the beauty of New Zealand in a mellow, peaceful and engaging vibe. Safe travels guys!!

[@PeterandYen]

😅 yeah! need that new Zealand Vietnam travel bubble. Can't wait to go back. O my gosh dude did you watch Paul vs askern? 😅 shameful....

[@SeoulMan2020]

@@PeterandYen 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ It was $14.99 for the ppv here in Thailand...I thought about it for a sec, and then came to my senses. I thought to myself, “I’d rather have 15 street food meals than watch the imminent disaster that is about to unfold.” Based on the lowlight, looks like I was right... the only thing I know about that Jake guy is his brother did a bunch of stupid crap when he was in Japan. I figured if they are anything alike, I’ll keep my $15 bucks. He sounds like an idiot. Damn you Ben!!!!

[@PeterandYen]

Hahaha yeah I'm totally with you in paying for that fight not keen though it would only be one meal here in New Zealand 😅 pretty disappointed with the outcome apparently Dana white put $1 million in askern to win... ouch

[@SeoulMan2020]

@@PeterandYen I did read about Dana’s bet, but apparently no confirmation... in happier mma news: Whitaker vs Izzy next? ...and one week until the return of Weiliiiiiiiiiiiiiii💪💪💪💪 Woohooooo!!

[@PeterandYen]

Woohoo yes happier news for sure let's go Weili 💪💪🏆

[@jamiedavidd]

what a beautiful video, i live here in Tauranga but always love seeing it from anothers perspective! i love the shots used as well, what kind of camera do you use? you probably get asked that a lot sorry new here lol

[@PeterandYen]

Thanks glad you enjoyed the vlog, and welcome to the channel 😁🤙 we use a fujifilm xt4, 16-55 mm f2.8 lens plus a Rhode video mic pro for sound. Pretty good camera 👍

[@jamiedavidd]

@@PeterandYen no worries at all! thanks for the response! very nice camera i am just reading the reviews, small but powerful. It really does have good image. :)

[@PeterandYen]

As we normally travel a fair bit a small light camera is super essential. I would say the only thing that would make it better is if it didn't have the occasional light flare but other than that it's excellent

[@jj-lw3zi]

Nice! My family and I did that same walk in 2019 😀 such a beautiful view, appreciate the vlogs Peter and Yen

[@PeterandYen]

Nice! Must have been a great memory going up there with the fams. The view from the top is awesome 👌 appreciate you watching have an awesome week ✌

[@joe17587]

Guys....I missed some drone shots...is it not allowed out there?

[@PeterandYen]

Unfortunately most New Zealand is no drone zone... we normally bring it but there are hardly any areas we can use it 😅

[@tiegunna599]

you can jump off still i just jumped off 1 day ago

[@richarddevaottien7724]

That maori language seems kinda ugly to my ears. Is it true that tourists have had their campervans and cars broken into by the maori locals in the rural areas?

[@thicc1]

strange to see my town like this