Ohiwa
OHIWA HARBOUR SCENIC DETOUR
This route follows the harbour edge via Ruatuna Road, Ohiwa Loop Road, Reeve Road and Ohiwa Harbour Road and rejoins the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) at the Waiotahi River Bridge. In olden days Ohiwa was ringed by Pa sites, probably owing to the accessibility of sea food, and was the scene of numerous tribal fights and massacres. Te Kooti died here in 1893 on Hokianga Island in the middle of the harbour. It is a sealed road which leads to many ideal stopping places for safe swimming, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, sailing, fishing, boating, netting, picnics, etc. With low tides, much of the harbour is bared and cockles are easily obtainable, also mussels in season. On the knoll at the turnoff, occupying an area of 1 to 1.5 hectares are the most northerly New Zealand Black Beech trees, Nothofagus Solanderi. The Ohiwa harbour is also the site of the most southerly growing Mangrove plants, and is the only harbour in the country administered by an act of Parliament.
At the end of Reeves Road, turn left on Ohiwa Harbour Road, which leads to the Ohiwa spit under the historic Onekawa Pa site. A wharf, the Ferry Hotel, Post Office and school once existed near where the present channel now runs. The Ohiwa Spit, Whangakopikopiko Island and Ohiwa Beach, are major breeding grounds for shorebirds, including the endangered NZ Dotterel, Variable Oystercatchers, White Fronted Terns and Black Billed Gulls. The Eastern Bar tailed Godwits arrive from their breeding ground in Alaska in September and return in April each year. There are over 60 birds which live and breed around the Ohiwa Harbour. The new edition of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Birds booklet is available from campgrounds and I-sites. Snapper and Kahawai can be caught at the harbour entrance channel as well as the ocean beach.
On the way to the Ohiwa Spit you will find Fantail Cottage and Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park.
A right turn at the Reeves Road and Ohiwa Harbour Road intersection, leads over the hill to rejoin the Pacific Coast Highway.
This route follows the harbour edge via Ruatuna Road, Ohiwa Loop Road, Reeve Road and Ohiwa Harbour Road and rejoins the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) at the Waiotahi River Bridge. In olden days Ohiwa was ringed by Pa sites, probably owing to the accessibility of sea food, and was the scene of numerous tribal fights and massacres. Te Kooti died here in 1893 on Hokianga Island in the middle of the harbour. It is a sealed road which leads to many ideal stopping places for safe swimming, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, sailing, fishing, boating, netting, picnics, etc. With low tides, much of the harbour is bared and cockles are easily obtainable, also mussels in season. On the knoll at the turnoff, occupying an area of 1 to 1.5 hectares are the most northerly New Zealand Black Beech trees, Nothofagus Solanderi. The Ohiwa harbour is also the site of the most southerly growing Mangrove plants, and is the only harbour in the country administered by an act of Parliament.
At the end of Reeves Road, turn left on Ohiwa Harbour Road, which leads to the Ohiwa spit under the historic Onekawa Pa site. A wharf, the Ferry Hotel, Post Office and school once existed near where the present channel now runs. The Ohiwa Spit, Whangakopikopiko Island and Ohiwa Beach, are major breeding grounds for shorebirds, including the endangered NZ Dotterel, Variable Oystercatchers, White Fronted Terns and Black Billed Gulls. The Eastern Bar tailed Godwits arrive from their breeding ground in Alaska in September and return in April each year. There are over 60 birds which live and breed around the Ohiwa Harbour. The new edition of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Birds booklet is available from campgrounds and I-sites. Snapper and Kahawai can be caught at the harbour entrance channel as well as the ocean beach.
On the way to the Ohiwa Spit you will find Fantail Cottage and Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park.
A right turn at the Reeves Road and Ohiwa Harbour Road intersection, leads over the hill to rejoin the Pacific Coast Highway.
Accommodation
Fantail Cottage336 Ohiwa Harbour Rd, BnB Homestay & classic bach accommodation, spa pool
& kayaks. Hosts Meg & Mike Collins P: 07 315 4981 or 022 173 3061 W: www.fantailcottage.co.nz |
Dene's BeachsideExclusive self catering unit. Specialty homebaking/coffee provided. Ohiwa Beach.
P: 07-315 4085 W: www.denesaccommodation.com |
Ohiwa Beach Holiday ParkOhiwa Harbour Rd, RD2, Motels,cabins, power & tent sites. Right on beach & harbour.
P: 07-315 4741 E: stay@ohiwaholidays.co.nz |
View from Dene's Beachside
|
At the Waiotahi River Bridge, turn left. At the first intersection, turn left and go to the harbour via the Ohiwa Harbour Scenice Detour, which takes you up over the hill. Take the right fork alongside the river, this non-exit road leads to the beautifully pohutukawa-lined sandy Ohiwa (or Bryan's) Beach, where you will find Dene's Beachfront. This secluded spot offers surf-casting, picnicking and safe swimming.
Continuing east along the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) you will pass the pipi beds, there is a rest area on the left with toilets, safe swimming area and at low tide you can see the locals gathering pipi's (shellfish). Next is the beautiful Spectacle of Waiotahe Beach, with East Cape as a backdrop. Approximately 1/2 a kilometre on the right you will come across Pohutukawa Drive, the home of the Pohutukawa Luxury Lodge. |
