Opononi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kai Iwi Lakes which includes swimming and a lake or waterhole as well as an individual male
This fishing village on the south shore of the Hokianga Harbour invites all visitors to enjoy its unique geological features and relaxing surroundings.

Visit Opononi to soak up the tranquility and strong Māori character of New Zealand’s Far North. Take in the stunning vistas of the sand dunes across the water, book an adventure tour or just cast a line and catch your own dinner from the wharf.

Start at the Opononi i-SITE Visitor Centre to get inspiration for things to see and do. Deep-sea game fishing from a boat, scenic flights, sky diving, nightly nature walks and sand boarding are among the more thrilling options in and around Opononi.

Of course, you can also just take it easy, by lazing on the beach and jumping in for a swim on a hot day. Just beware that the currents are strong as the Tasman Sea’s turbulent tides push and pull on the harbor waters.

You may see dolphins and even orcas cruise by. One bottlenose dolphin became a national sensation in the 1950s because she kept returning to play with the swimmers. “Opo” attracted so many onlookers that she caused the region’s very first traffic jam. The small Opo Statue commemorates this “gay aquatic creature.”

Stroll along the beach between nearby Koutu and Kauwhare points to admire the massive Koutu Boulders. The round boulders are hardened nodules that grew within sedimentary rocks, through a process called concretion, and may have taken many millions of years to form.

Tucked away up a gravel road, between Omapere and the Waipoua Forest, find the Labyrinth Woodworks and Maze. The kids will love the wooden puzzles from all over the globe and there are life-sized animal statues too. Just over the bridge is a waterfall and a walk through kauri trees.

Opononi and Omapere are joined at the hip like Siamese twins. Opononi is half a day by car from Auckland, but don’t rush back to the city on the same day. Stay a few nights to get that real vacation feel. Oponini is where you’ll find most facilities, such as a hotel and bar, visitor information center and campground. Omapere provides better views of the Hokianga Harbour entrance with the sand dunes on its northern shore.

As the sun sets over this striking landscape, it’s hard to imagine a more inviting place than Opononi.

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel
2.5 out of 5
45 STATE HIGHWAY 12, Opononi
The price is NZ$147 per night from 13 May to 14 May
NZ$147
per night
13 May - 14 May
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
Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
Opononi
The price is NZ$1,155 per night from 14 May to 15 May
NZ$1,155
per night
14 May - 15 May
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Opononi Beach and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
stunning property
"absolutely stunning property - every one love the facilities - I felt like checking in was more difficult and complex that it needed to be - charged extra for kids to sleep on top bunks - had to send back and additional signed form over and above the usual booking process that I have done many times ..."

Reviewed on 15 Feb. 2024

Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
Opononi
The price is NZ$228 per night from 28 May to 29 May
NZ$228
per night
28 May - 29 May
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi and a garden. Popular attractions Hokianga Harbour and Opononi Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (60 reviews)
In the hills above harbour
"Unique different, easy owners, a bit of journey to get there from opononi."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
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.
Cosy Opononi cabin with gorgeous ocean views - relaxation bliss!
Cosy Opononi cabin with gorgeous ocean views - relaxation bliss!
Opononi
Stay at this cabin in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Opononi Beach and Omapere Beach are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"Excellent cabin beautifully designed and decorated, was in a convenient location and the view was fantastic of the Hokianga heads and sand dunes. Will definitely book here again very nice."

Reviewed on 28 Apr. 2024

Cosy Opononi cabin with gorgeous ocean views - relaxation bliss!
Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
Opononi
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Opononi Beach and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
stunning property
"absolutely stunning property - every one love the facilities - I felt like checking in was more difficult and complex that it needed to be - charged extra for kids to sleep on top bunks - had to send back and additional signed form over and above the usual booking process that I have done many times ..."

Reviewed on 15 Feb. 2024

Beautiful large 6-Bedroom Coastal Vacation Home with Spa-Pool
MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
Opononi
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi and a garden. Popular attractions Hokianga Harbour and Opononi Beach are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (60 reviews)
In the hills above harbour
"Unique different, easy owners, a bit of journey to get there from opononi."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

MUDBRICK BARN MUDENZA VU
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.

Reviews of Opononi

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
1 Jun 2020

A place that is more than just the beach. A place for nature lovers to explore. Short hikes to waterfalls or around giant boulders. Limited places for food. But overall nice place with beautiful surrounding scenery.

5/5 - Excellent

Mary
24 Feb 2020

The view of the sand dune amazing

Cities near Opononi