"Beautiful Ompere on the beach at Hokianga Harbour!" Omapere by angiebabe

Omapere Travel Guide: 22 reviews and 74 photos

my grandmothers bach and beach at Omapere

Over the hill and look at the view!!

For years from early childhood we travelled 6-7 hours from Te Kuiti to see my grandparents at Waimamaku - just out of the Waipoua forest famous for its huge and amazing Kauri trees - having endured the winding roads of heavy gravel that seemed to go on forever! (since wonderfully modernised to smooth tar seal) up in the pretty remote north where your next door neighbour was the next farm along but real community living and everyone knows each other.
My grandmother had a 'bach' - kiwi for holiday house generally near the beach, at omapere and it was great to head off the 5 miles or so off to the beach. and no matter how many times the view from the top was always special -" wow look at the huge blue sea and the sand on the other sand"!!!

Hokianga Harbour

There used to be a signal station positioned here above the entrance to the harbour - now called Signal Point.
From here its a nice walk on further to the heads where there is a blow hole - more dramatic when the tide is full. Check with the local stores for info.
The entrance to hokianga harbour has its typical bar - which can be difficult and dangerous for boats in bad weather.

Excellent views from Signal Point - can see way up the harbour to , for example, Rawene, where there is a car ferry enabling harbour crossing to Kohukohu without the drive around the whole huge area. A quicker route to areas such as Keri Keri and on up to the top of the North Island ie 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga at the very top.
The early pioneers came in by boat to settle the north here at Omapere - the 150th anniversary was celebrated several years which my grandparents attended, everyone donned old costumes and made a real celebration of it.

Sights and celebrities around Omapere!

Just the next bay along is Opononi, known for Opo the dolphin, where there is a statue remembering the excitement the arrival of a dolphin that stayed quite a lengthy period in the bay playing and swimming with the locals - generating news and attention all over New Zealand - until one day it was found dead having been killed by someone.
Our lovely huge pinetrees and view to the beach!!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Still untouristy, away from the throngs who chuck litter and use too much water and make it difficult for the locals!Beautifu white sand and views across to the dunes on the other side of the harbour.Info office and nearby sites for history seekers.
Cons:the remoteness does make it difficult for economics and progress of those growing up in the area.

Last visit to Omapere: Nov 2005
Intro Updated Feb 11, 2013
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Reviews (7)

Self contained holiday with lovely... Hotels (3)

Stunning views from everywhere in the house - and a patio out the front to sit and enjoy the view and the sound of the... more travel advice

marked walks from Signal point and great views - Omapere

Walk along to the blowhole Things to Do (4)

Theres a nice walk along the coast from the Hokianga harbour heads past the signal point that takes you to a blow hole -... more travel advice

Stop at the top of the hill overlooking... Things to Do (4)

If you are driving make sure you stop at the top of the huge hill heading in or out of Omapere for a great view of the... more travel advice

views over Signal point south head and north head - Omapere

Walk along to Signal point for a great... Things to Do (4)

See the whole Hokianga Harbour before you from an ideal lookout point. Whether great weather or grey stormy weather!!... more travel advice

Comments (10)

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kiwi Oct 31, 2012 at 9:03 PM

Ahhh now I see :-)
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  angiebabe Oct 31, 2012 at 9:06 PM
  
  need to go and get new photos of course!...did take a big mob of them when last over but left them behind with my friend - 5 or 6 years ago...
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ViajesdelMundo Jun 24, 2012 at 1:34 PM

at first glance there are definitely some similarities....i.e. off the beaten path!
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Nemorino Jan 3, 2011 at 6:45 AM

Great that your grandparents lived in such a scenic area -- even if it took 6-7 hours on heavy gravel roads to get there!
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amandajayne81 Dec 28, 2010 at 9:04 PM

I visited Omapere as a teenager and remembered the story about the dolphin. Great spot to relax.
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Bwana_Brown Jan 20, 2010 at 3:47 PM

Angie, this is a great little page describing this wonderful natural attraction of NZ that you were lucky enough to experience! Reminded me a bit of my childhood days at an uncle's cottage beside Magaguadavic Lake in the wilds of New Brunswick's forests!
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Yaqui Oct 2, 2009 at 12:23 PM

How wonderful to have such great memories of your grandmother. The beach and home looks extra special as well as all the great tips too!
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craic Jul 1, 2009 at 5:55 AM

i have been to opononi
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wandeljp Jun 16, 2009 at 12:05 PM

A nice "bach" in a nice place with good friends around: I dream for in my future life...who knows ? Thanks for sharing and happy birthday again ! JP
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Jenniflower Apr 8, 2009 at 3:29 PM

I just love places visited from long ago, like this one Ang. Great page!
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fishandchips Oct 8, 2007 at 3:36 PM

It's certainly an interesting part of NZ!!