We have it all! Whether you like to relax or keep active, Ohiwa and the surrounding areas has plenty to offer. From a lazy day out at the beach enjoying local fresh fish and chips to taking a cruise to one of New Zealand's most active volcanoes, White Island and exploring impressive geothermal activity.
Walks
Whether you like to hike or just stroll, you are spoilt for choice at Ohiwa. We have the amazing Onekawa TeMawhai Regional park with lovely views over the harbour, walk through paddocks among the sheep. Ohiwa Harbour a 15 minute walk along the beach to see birdlife. Hukutaia Domain 19 minute drive from Ohiwa. Beautiful gardens with native plants in a natural bush setting.
White Island (Whakaari)
A 5-6 hour adventure with experienced guides to get up close to roaring steam vents, bubbling pits of mud, hot volcanic streams and the amazing lake of steaming acid. The vivid hues of yellow and orange resulting from the abundant sulphur on the island make it a photographer’s dream.
On your cruise home spend time viewing dolphins, whales and other marine life. Visit White Island website for full details.
On your cruise home spend time viewing dolphins, whales and other marine life. Visit White Island website for full details.
Whale Island (Moutohora)
A magical Island Sanctuary. Home to New Zealand's rare and endangered plants, birds and reptiles. Access is restricted to small groups of 12. $99 for a guided tour and 15 minute boat ride from Whakatane. Visit Whale Island (Moutohora) website for full details.
KG Kayaks also offer guided Kayak tours to Whale Island. The tour takes around 4 hours which includes transport from Whakatane on a sailing catamaran. There are plenty of wildlife encounters while exploring the island by kayak which includes NZ fur seals, little blue penguins or gannets.
KG Kayaks also offer guided Kayak tours to Whale Island. The tour takes around 4 hours which includes transport from Whakatane on a sailing catamaran. There are plenty of wildlife encounters while exploring the island by kayak which includes NZ fur seals, little blue penguins or gannets.
Motu River Jet
The Motu River Jet Boat Tour offers offers access into the countries most remote and unaltered native sceneries which is rarely viewed. The Motu banks are covered with unique and rare flora amongst ancient Maori history. The river was the first in New Zealand to be totally protected by New Zealand government conservation order.
Visit Motu River Jet website for more information.
Visit Motu River Jet website for more information.
Fishing
Ohiwa Fishing Charters leave from Ohope and fish around the Opotiki Mussell Farm. There’s also independent fishing from the beach (surfcasting, torpedo, kontiki) and fly fishing in the nearby Waioeka River.
Kayaking
KG Kayaks offer guided tours (Ohiwa Harbour, Whale Island, etc) and Freedom kayak hire and are highly rated on Tripadvisor.
Biking
The Motu Trails offer 3 trails. See Motu Trails. The Dunes Trail is an easy (grade 2) trail for cyclists, walkers and runners. It's great for children, with many places to access the beach. The more advanced sections of the Motu Trails offer a 78km Motu Road Trail and the Pakiki Track 44km (20kms of which offers advanced off road riding largely downhill tracks!). Guided bike tours are also available. See Mighty Motu Bike Tours.
Awakeri Rail Adventures
Travel along a piece of New Zealand’s rich rail history and experience the natural beauty and adventure from the comfort of a rail-cart, cleverly adapted to be self-driven along the rail tracks.
Visit Awakeri Rail Adventure website for more information.
Visit Awakeri Rail Adventure website for more information.
Opotiki Museum (... and a brief history of Opotiki)
Opotiki was a populated area from early Maori settlement. The area was rich in resources, with extensive alluvial plains for lowland cultivations and abundance of forest, marine and freshwater assets. First European contact was in 1840 eventually resulting in land confiscations in 1865. Agriculture brought prosperity to the emerging town with exports of sheep and dairy products. This came to an end in the early 20th century with the silting up of the port (reduced shipping services) and the advent of rail and road services. Many of the old buildings still stand in Opotiki today. You can learn more about Opotiki at the museum in Church Street. Click here to learn more about the museum.
Golf
A unique 70-par layout situated on gently rolling hillside overlooking Opotiki Township offers golf for players of all levels. The course has outstanding sea view vistas and puffing White Island framed by tree-lined, undulating fairways. Visit Opotiki Golf website.
