4 minute read
Explore HOKIANGA
9 Fun Things To Do In HOKIANGA
1. HOKIANGA HARBOUR FERRY - Taking both car and foot traffi c, the 15-minute scenic journey aboard Hokianga ferry departs Rāwene and arrives Kohukohu, saving you hours of driving time. Once in Kohukohu, explore the village and then venture on to Kaitāia, Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Rēinga. The ferry sails daily and there’s no need to book, just rock up and pay on-board.
Advertisement
2. WAIRERE BOULDERS - Walking trails built around these awesome rock formations vary from 40 minutes to three hours. It’s a 35-minute drive from Hokianga but once here, you can trek to the swimming hole or rent a kayak and row down the boulder stream back to Hokianga Harbour.
3. VINTAGE BOAT TRIPS - Sail on Hokianga Harbour with Ranui. This dandy vintage vessel dates back to 1945. Rather than retire the dame, her owners decided to refurbish her. The boat’s revival also provides a vital connection to two of the Far North’s major (and majorly popular) cycle trails – the Twin Coast Cycle Trail and the Far North Cycleway.
4. DOLPHIN SPOTTING - A good spot for spotting dolphins is the South Head along the Arai te Uru Heritage Walk. This short and enjoyable pathway is also suitable for buggies.
5. NGĀWHĀ SPRINGS - A 40-minute drive east, thermal water bubbles from the ground into 10 wooden tubs, all varying in temperature and rich in body-soothing minerals.
6. ŌPONONI SAND DUNES - Surfing down the giant sand dunes on a boogie board is a must-do while in this neck of the woods. For more information on how to get there and how to do it, see page 36 of the e-book.
7. AUTHENTIC MĀORI EXPERIENCE - Book a marae stay on Hokianga Harbour at Motuti Marae and enjoy an evening of waiata (singing), haka (Māori war dance) and then help to build a hangi in the ground.
8. ROCK POOLS - At the end of the Waimamaku Beach Rd, along the Arai Te Uru Coastal Walkway, there are large rock pools, big enough to bathe in.
9. CLENDON HOUSE - This charming cottage was built in the 1860s by James Clendon, an early European settler. Furnished with original items, step inside to step back in time.
Hokianga Beach, sand dunes in the horizon
Northlandnz.com
Don’t Skip!
With more creatives than you could shake an easel at, art and music are the lifeblood of Kohukohu. Peruse the various village galleries or join the locals at a monthly Open Mic Night held at the fire station. With some gorgeous accommodation to stay at, and a strong community spirit, it’s not a huge place – but the welcomes are.
#1 Fish 'n' Chups
Bite into the freshest battered fish at Ōpononi Beach Takeaways. The fish burger has an almost cult following. It’s often busy, so expect to wait: good things come to those who do.
Townships You Can't Resist
Hokianga fields and harbour
Getty Images
Hōreke
A TOWN OF FIRSTS, THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO BE SETTLED BY EUROPEANS WITH A SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED SOON AFTER.
Believed to be the second oldest town in Aotearoa, a walk around town will pass New Zealand’s first pub, New Zealand’s first post office, and somewhere in this picturesque little port, New Zealand’s first murder trial took place.
HŌREKE HOTEL - New Zealand’s first pub? Oh you bet! What’s more surprising is that it didn’t initially sell any beer. Fortunately, it does today. And the setting is beautiful.
RANGIAHUA - A short drive down SH 1 and home to tidal marshes thriving with wildlife.
TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL - Hōreke is on the route of this acclaimed must-do bike ride and makes a great pit stop.
MĀNGUNGU MISSION - The largest signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa took place here, with over 70 chiefs and a crowd of 3000.
Ōpononi & Ōmāpere
Ōpononi sunset
Getty Images
THESE LAID-BACK DUAL SETTLEMENTS STRADDLE THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF HOKIANGA HARBOUR, WITH A LONG STRETCH OF WHITE SAND AND INVITING BLUE WATER. TAP INTO THE EASY- GOING LIFESTYLE.
SAND DUNES - You’ll need thighs and nerves of steel to tackle the sand dunes that Ōpononi and Ōmāpere are renowned for. To reach them, catch a ride with Hokianga Express Charters from Ōpononi Wharf. Standing at the foot of the slopes is daunting, but observing fearless kids flying (and laughing) down the embankments will encourage you to partake.
OPO THE DOLPHIN - You simply can’t leave Ōpononi without saying ‘hi’ to the statue of Opo. A resident himself in the 1950s, this good spirited dolphin liked nothing more than to give the local children a ride on his back.
NEW MĀORI CULTURAL CENTRE - Coming late 2020, the brand new Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Centre will tell the story of New Zealand’s very first discoverer, Kupe, while also detailing his unique connection to Hokianga.
