Visitors flock to Bay for long weekend

From left, Nyree Howell, Katrina Dickson, Lia de Ridder, 9, and Ava de Ridder, 7, enjoyed a walk up Mauao. Photo / George Novak

The Bay lived up to its sunny reputation for the long weekend, attracting thousands to the region and kicking off the summer season.

Motels across Tauranga were fully booked on Saturday and Sunday and near capacity on Friday and yesterday.

Locals and visitors were spoilt for choice with the Tauranga Arts Festival, the 2015 Street Rod Nationals and the option of just soaking up the sun at the beach.

Archie, 3, and Ruby Dowling, 5, take a break from their sand creations at the beach yesterday. Photo / Rebecca Savory

Beachgoers were not put off by the typical El Nino wind, and surf lifeguards were out on patrol for the first weekend of the summer season.

Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park manager Mark Hales said only 10 sites were left on Saturday night which was good for the time of year.

He thought the holiday park had more bookings than last year and attributed that to the better weather.

He said the crowds heading to Mount Maunganui had not stopped all weekend.

"The weather's been good, apart from Saturday, and even that hasn't stopped them coming.

"Labour Weekend kicks off the season ... most of them leave Monday and then we ramp up to summer.

"We're fully booked over Christmas and New Year. We have vacancies starting again about January 10."

About 80 per cent of guests were domestic and the other 20 per cent tourists mainly from France, Germany and the UK.

Colonial Court Motor Inn owner Kris Stamatakos, of the Motel Association, said it was a very busy weekend.

"There was nothing left in Tauranga on Saturday and Sunday. Friday was nearly full and Monday is still up there.

"Historically it's pretty good. It's not like Easter that's booked out regardless.

It often rained Labour Weekend and Mr Stamatakos thought that was why many did not book accommodation a long time in advance.

Mount Mainstreet manager Peter Melgren said Labour Weekend was the start of the migration of people from larger centres like Auckland and Hamilton to beachside locations like the Coromandel and Mount Maunganui.

"It's like the switch for the start of summer. People think warmer days are coming.

"Just look at the roads between here and Auckland ... The stream of traffic heading this way was just incredible."

The Dowling family made the most of the sunshine yesterday and headed to Mount Maunganui from their Tauranga home.

It was their first full family day to the beach this summer and Emma Dowling said it was nice just to hang out as a family.

"The Mount's good for that."

Archie, 3, and Ruby, 5, got stuck into building sandcastles while their parents made the most of the extra day to unwind.

Nyree Howell and Katrina Dickson headed up Mauao with Lia de Ridder, 9, and Ava de Ridder, 7.

The Tauranga locals made the most of the sun before cloud set in later in the evening.