Exploring Ōpōtiki’s spectacular coast

park in the reserve and follow the gravel trail along the coast towards Ōpōtiki. Te Ahiaua offers a large grassy area, with parking, shelter, picnic tables and toilets.

As with the Dunes Trail, the beach sections of the new Waiotahe Trail offer numerous spectacular Pacific Ocean views, with Whakaari/White Island and Moutohorā/Whale island on the horizon. There are multiple trail access points to the highway so you’re never isolated.

A highlight of the whole eastern bay’s sweep of coastline is the good health of much of the dunes ecosystem. There’s plenty of pingao and spinifex blanketing the sand alongside the trail, and lots of rugged trees like ngaio, taupata, and karo. The Waiotahe Coast has superb pohutukawa and stretches of the new trail are in the hefty trees’ shade. Waiotahe Trail is shared-use walking and cycling. Dogs are permitted,

Above: A cyclist stops to take a photo of the track at Waiotahe Beach.

Below left: Waiotahe Beach makes great walking or riding surface.

Photo by StudioZag

Below right: Two riders on the Waiotahe Trail.

Photo by Tran Lawrence please keep them under control as the beach is home to birds including poaka/pied stilt, torea/variable oystercatcher, and tutuiwhatu/dotterel.

From the Ōpōtiki Surf Club and Island View Holiday Park, you have a 400m section through a residential area (follow Waiotahe Drifts Boulevard towards the highway) then the Waiotahe Trail resumes as a separated roadside gravel trail. Being near to the highway, the 3km back to the Waioeka Bridge is not scenic but it’s valuable for making a linking walk or ride possible.

The roadside section is completely flat except for one short, sharp rise over the Kukumoa cutting. This will make anyone puff harder, but from near the top, you get a good view of the development of the Ōpōtiki Harbour.

Waiotahe Trail passes directly in front of Island View Holiday Park. Tirohanga Beach Holiday Park is directly in front of the Dunes Trail, while Ōpōtiki Holiday Park is right by the Waioeka Trail.

Other great walks in the immediate area include the magnificent Hukutaia Domain (7km south of Ōpōtiki) and Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park, which is right by Ōhiwa Beach Holiday Park.

To have a free (NZ addresses only) trails information/ maps pack sent to you, please email jim@motutrails. co.nz or message Motu Trails Cycleway on Facebook.