The Adams Cottage is the oldest building in Mount Maunganui. Originally built as a bach for John Cuthbert Adams in the early 1900s the pioneer cottage, with its gable ended simple design, still stands at 4 Adams Avenue.

John Adams arrived in Tauranga in 1876, he became a successful builder and later local body politician and mayor.

John married Helen and they had a large family. While living in Fifth Avenue, Taipororo, Adams built his bach. Back in those days there was no bridge crossing and story has it that his daughters could row to the bach faster than he could drive around Welcome Bay to the Mount, the only route at that time.

Adams Cottage is 3.3km (40 minute) flat walk from ‘The Reef’.