TAURANGA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXII, Issue 11346, 16 February 1934, Page 4

TAURANGA

All Forms of Sport for the Visitor

ATTRACTIONS OF THE HARBOUR

No town, at the moment, . is attracting more attention throughout the Dominion than Tauranga, and strangely enough comparatively little is known about it by the average citizen. This column is devoted to the task of furnishing what information is available, and of presenting to our readers as clear a picture as we can of what attractions Tauranga has to offer, and the opportunities that still exist for settlement throughout the district.

In all that we say regarding the attractions of Tauranga it must not be forgotten that, in addition to its natural charm and attraction, something more is required to hold the interest of the visitor. Generally speaking anyone in search of an ideal holiday looks for some form of sport. Fortunately the sport offered in Tauranga is as varied as could be found anywhere. For the young and energetic the beaches during the summer probably prove the greatest attraction, especially that at ''fount Maunganui—known to the initiated as the “Mount" —where surf bathing can be indulged in to the heart’s de-

outlooks imaginable, and the wellkept lawns ensure a pleasant game whenever fancy prompts a visit there. Serving the other end of the town, and extending the same cordial welcome to the stranger within our gates, arc the tennis courts and bowling green of the Tauranga South Bowling and Tennis Club. These are situation on Devonport Road, about midway—lengthwise —in the borough. with a pleasant outlook across the harbour. And then the harbour itself. One might dilate for hours on the attractions of this unique harbour. There is no other just like it in Australasia,

(B. W. S. Barry, photo.) The Ocean Beach at the Mount —Where the Blue Pacific rolls in or Silver Sand—the Safest and best Surf-bathing Beach in the Dominion.

light. The accompanying illustration, taken from the Mount Itself, gives an excellent idea of the ocean beach. No safer surf bathing beach is perhaps to be found in the Dominion, and the only complaint we are aware of this season is that there , might perhaps have been a little more surf to give the pastime that thrill which nothing else can impart. If easterly weather makes eurf bathing ’'impracticable then there is the inner beach. Just a minute or two’s walk across the sandy estuary. Tired of the beaches the visitor can enjoy a game of tennis, which is liberally catered for, while for the more staid, bowls or croquet offer pleasant diversion. * In Tauranga itself, where also bathing can be enjoyed, practically every other pastime is well catered for. First and foremost is golf, ■which appeals to all ages and both sexes. The Tauranga Golf Club’s course is located on a public reserve at Gate Pa, where the racecourse is also situated. Years of patient endeavour, and a strong membership have resulted in the provision of excellent links, and the visiting golfer is assured of a thoroughly enjoyable game, t In the town itself the Tauranga Tennis Club’s courts on the Domain are within a few minutes of the town. Visitors are welcomed and well catered for. Nearby are the swings, etc., where the children can romp and play and swing and run and climb until they are exhausted. Situated on the Domain also is the Tauranga Bowling Club’s green, admittedly one of the Dominion’s best, set amid (surroundings that has few equals. Here the visiting bowler is ever welcome. Adjoining the tennis courts are the croquet lawns. Here too we find one of the prettiest

owing to its two entrances. Mile after mile of land-locked water, inlet and headland, and everywhere rare enchantment. Small wonder then that in Tauranga we find so many boat and launch owners. On sunny days craft of all kind wind and twist their ways into nooks and bays that afford ideal picnicking spots. In parts of the harbour where westerly wind occasionally meets a flowing tide it can be rough, but that is comparatively rare. Throughout the long summer and on almost to mid-win-ter harbour trips can be enjoyed. With the continued growth of what can now quite legitimately be termed the tourist traffic, more adequate provision .will be made for those in search of a pleasant hour or two or a day’s outing on the harbour. For those who prefer to spend their holiday in Tauranga while yet desiring the pleasures that the Mount affords, a very convenient launch ferry service is provided by Messrs Faulkner Bros., who have been engaged in the business for many years, and have shown commendable enterprise throughout those years in caterting, by the provision from time to time of new and more contmodious launches, for the evergrowing stream of picnickers to the Mount. The firm also has launches available for private picnic or fishing parties to all parts of the harbour. There yet remains one form of sport that provides excitement such as neither pen nor camera can adequately describe—deep-sea fishing. Taking launch from Tauranga the deep-sea fisherman makes Mayor Island his rendezvous, and from there embarks on the most thrilling of all attractions for the fishermen. But this is a subject that will well bear elaboration, so we leave it for the time being to be dealt with at greater length in some future article.