Local activities and iconic hotspots
Discover the timeless spirit of the Hokianga Harbour. From ancient native kauri rainforests and towering golden dunes to rich heritage settlements, explore unforgettable experiences across the Far North.
Manea, Footprints of Kupe
Footprints of Kupe offers you a unique cultural encounter, journeying into Te Ao Māori, the Māori world.
Manea – Footprints of Kupe is a 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling – through art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, performance, digital interaction, and the splendour of Hokianga’s natural surroundings.
The descendants of Kupe welcome you, as do the spirits of our ancestors. Enter Te Hokianga-nui-a-Kupe, our sacred cradle of tribal histories. Walk with us in the footprints of our ancestor – Kupe the intrepid, Kupe the voyager, Kupe the discoverer.
Ancient giants of Waipoua Forest
Step into the sacred silence of the Waipoua Forest to stand before Tāne Mahuta, the revered Lord of the Forest, and Te Matua Ngahere. These majestic, millennia-old kauri trees offer a profound encounter with New Zealand’s ancient natural heritage, woven with deep Māori cultural meaning.
Golden sands and harbor adventures
Experience the vast dunes of Ōmāpere, board down towering sand hills across the water, or relax by the serene shores of Opononi and the wild beauty of Mitimiti Beach. Whether you seek exhilarating dune boarding, boat trips, or quiet coastal walks, the harbour waters deliver classic Kiwi memories.
Historic trails and hidden wonders
Wander through historic coastal villages including Rawene, Kohukohu, and the historic Mangungu Mission site where pivotal moments in Aotearoa's history unfolded. Venture further inland to explore the extraordinary geological labyrinth of the Wairere Boulders, walking paths shaded by native forest.
Historic Harbour Cruises & Cycle Transfers
The Ranui on Hokianga
Originally named El Alamein she was launched on 29 January 1945. She was designed as a passenger ferry with a shallow draft,
an open top and passenger capacity of 40 passengers.
She ferried returned World War II servicemen over Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti and onto the Rotorua Convalescent Hospital.
Rānui was welcomed by pōwhiri and launched into the waters of the Hokianga harbour on the 15 June, 2018.
Ride the Twin Coast Cycle Trail
Explore the Twin Coast Cycle trail that runs from Opua in the Bay of Islands to Horeke in the Hokianga. Quality bike hire, newly upgraded fleet, shuttle transport with hire bikes or BYO bikes. Shuttles to and from either end of the trail and in between if needed! Selfguided riding, families, a group of friends or a single traveller we can support all your needs.