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Ōpononi & Ōmāpere Must-Do's
Ōpononi Sand Dunes - Sitting on the northern side of the Hokianga Harbour. There are two ways to reach the dunes; boat is most popular (and if you book with Hokianga Express Charters, the driver loans his boogie boards for free) and you can also drive 15km along the beach from Mitimiti.
Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Centre - A knockout experience detailing the story of Kupe’s arrival in New Zealand via 75 minutes of multi-sensory splendour. Enjoy live performance and narration, 4D films, art, taonga and digital wizardry.
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Rock Pool Swimming - At the end of the Waimamaku Beach Road, a 10-minute drive from Ōmāpere, there are large rock pools big enough to bathe in.
Opo the dolphin In the 1950s, this slinky-finned chap was a local hero, often giving the kids a free ride on his back. A statue now stands in his honour in Ōpononi.
Ōpononi Beach Takeaways - Outrageously good fish, chips and toasties, made even better by the sea-meets-dune views.
Koutu Boulders - The North Island’s answer to Otago’s Moeraki Boulders, these giant, round behemoths are equally mesmerising and at 10 foot – even bigger! Three minutes from Ōpononi.
Koutu Boulders, Ōpononi © Adobe Stock
Waiotemarama Waterfall Walk - Follow the Waiotemarama Stream for 15 minutes to a tranquil, threetiered waterfall. For a longer walk, continue along the forested Loop Track for two-and-a-half hours.
