Hokianga Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kai Iwi Lakes featuring a lake or waterhole and tranquil scenes
Omapere which includes a bay or harbour
Kai Iwi Lakes which includes a sandy beach
Kai Iwi Lakes featuring a park and a bay or harbour
Kai Iwi Lakes which includes 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-modernAucklandOpens in a new window.

The Sands Hotel

The Sands Hotel

3 out of 5
334 State Highway 12, Omapere
The price is ₹8,992 per night from 26 Oct to 27 Oct
₹8,992
₹10,341 total
26 Oct - 27 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Omapere. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (131 reviews)
Great view from our room

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

The Sands Hotel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel

Opononi Lighthouse Motel

2.5 out of 5
45 State Highway 12, Opononi
The price is ₹8,326 per night from 28 Oct to 29 Oct
₹8,326
₹9,575 total
28 Oct - 29 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach motel in Opononi. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (362 reviews)
Extremely clean (inside as well as outside) Friendly & efficient check-in

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Bay of Islands Holiday Park

Bay of Islands Holiday Park

3.5 out of 5
678 Puketona Rd, Bay of Islands, Haruru, Northland
The price is ₹3,752 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
₹3,752
₹4,314 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly holiday park in Haruru. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Haruru Falls and Action ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (109 reviews)
Our stay here was just what we needed! Perfect option for our little family (Grandma, 3yo, 5yo and Mum). Kids absolutely loved the playground at the foot of our backdoor (2 bdrm flat). Heaps of room to run around or you could just sit by the river and watch the water. The 2 bdrm flats are slightly ...

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Bay of Islands Holiday Park
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.
Stay Kerikeri Boutique Apartments and Studios

Stay Kerikeri Boutique Apartments and Studios

4 out of 5
136 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri, Northland
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Kerikeri. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a free airport shuttle. Popular attractions Fairy Pools and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (252 reviews)
Friendly staff

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Stay Kerikeri Boutique Apartments and Studios
Kerikeri Park Lodge

Kerikeri Park Lodge

3.5 out of 5
494b Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Kerikeri. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (292 reviews)
Gorgeous staff and environment

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Kerikeri Park Lodge
Doubtless Bay Villas

Doubtless Bay Villas

4.5 out of 5
20 Dudley Cresent, Cable Bay
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Cable Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room massages. Popular attractions Cable Bay Beach and Taumarumaru ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (180 reviews)
Neat and tidy. Friendly staff. Great value for money.

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Doubtless Bay Villas
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

Cities near Hokianga