Hokianga Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Omapere featuring a bay or harbour
This unspoiled treasure trove of the Far North is lined with massive sand dunes, authentic Māori fishing villages, colonial heritage sites and giant boulders.

Hokianga Harbour is one of New Zealand’s best-kept secrets. Māori call the Northland region Te Hiku-o-te-Ika (The Tail of the Fish). Despite being one of New Zealand’s first European trading hubs in the 1800s, it’s at this tail end that traditional Māori culture is most alive today.

Explore predominantly Māori villages, go fishing and walk along stunning coastal and forest tracks as you follow the course of the harbor. On the south shore, Opononi and Omapere are connected like Siamese twins, each with their own charms. Stroll the beach, cast a line from a jetty or gaze out over the mighty sand dunes from Arai Te Uru Reserve.

To reach the dunes at Rangi Point, board the Hokianga Express from Opononi. Zoom down the dunes on a boogie board and admire the wind-swept formations that are sacred to Māori.

To see more of North Hokianga you’ll need a car, so first head back to Opononi and drive on to Pakanae to turn off to Rawene. Before boarding the vehicle ferry, browse the arts and crafts galleries and little wooden café on stilts in the bay.

Once across, head to the town of Motuti and visit its picturesque St Mary’s Church. In the Motuti Marae, learn traditional Māori weaving, poi-making or bone and wood carving. Waipuna Marae, in nearby Panguru, depicts the history of the seafaring ancestor Kūpe. Arrange to stay the night and share a meal with your hosts to see stories of bygone days and see wood carving demonstrations.

Drive northeast to reach the Top of Hokianga Harbour. Kohukohu was the main hub for New Zealand’s early timber industry because it sits at the confluence of the harbor with the Mangamuka and Waihou rivers. Stroll through its Historic Precinct to catch a glimpse of life as it would have been in the 1830s and browse modern art galleries.

From Mangamuka Bridge, take the State Highway across the Waihou River and turn off to Horeke, where the country’s first commercial shipyard operated. The town also boasts the oldest headstones, first pub and first post office.

Its strong Māori character, rich British heritage and pristine nature make Hokianga Harbour one of the North Island’s most authentic destinations, yet it’s only a half-day drive from ultra-modernAuckland.

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel
2.5 out of 5
45 STATE HIGHWAY 12, Opononi
The price is NZ$143 per night from 9 Jun to 10 Jun
NZ$143
per night
9 Jun - 10 Jun
Book a stay at this beach motel in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Opononi Beach and Omapere Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (309 reviews)
"Great location, very clean comfortable and spacious. Staff wonderful"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
The Sands Hotel
The Sands Hotel
3 out of 5
334 State Highway 12, Omapere
The price is NZ$189 per night from 15 May to 16 May
NZ$189
per night
15 May - 16 May
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (16 reviews)
"Location is stunning"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

The Sands Hotel
The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
Omapere
The price is NZ$335 per night from 13 May to 14 May
NZ$335
per night
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this vacation home in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Omapere Beach and Opononi Beach are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Ōmāpere
"Was awesome accommodation, lovely and clean, host responded quickly. Totally enjoyed our stay in Ōmāpere. Thank you very much, totally recommend the green bach in Ōmāpere"

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
RAWENE - Historic, Beautiful
RAWENE - Historic, Beautiful
Rawene
Stay at this apartment in Rawene. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Hokianga Art Gallery and Village Arts are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
Rawene Bliss
"I found Location and place very tranquil and very blissful. We both totally relaxed and would definitely go back to stay again."

Reviewed on 1 Apr. 2024

RAWENE - Historic, Beautiful
The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
Omapere
Stay at this vacation home in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Omapere Beach and Opononi Beach are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Ōmāpere
"Was awesome accommodation, lovely and clean, host responded quickly. Totally enjoyed our stay in Ōmāpere. Thank you very much, totally recommend the green bach in Ōmāpere"

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
WISTFUL ON  WAIANGA. GOLDEN HOKIANGA SANDS. SUN DRENCHED BEACHFRONT HOLIDAYS.
WISTFUL ON WAIANGA. GOLDEN HOKIANGA SANDS. SUN DRENCHED BEACHFRONT HOLIDAYS.
Omapere
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Omapere Beach and Pakia Hill Lookout ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (87 reviews)
Really enjoyed our stay
"Lovely place to stay, amazing views of the hokianga harbour, fantastic sunsets, great area, friendly locals, the place had everything we needed, we were all comfortable, unable to connect to wifi or get freeview going, but the property manager refunded us some money towards personal data. Only downfall ..."

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2024

WISTFUL ON WAIANGA. GOLDEN HOKIANGA SANDS. SUN DRENCHED BEACHFRONT HOLIDAYS.
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Cities near Hokianga