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- Swimming in the crystal clear pure drinkable river water
- Boogie board down the rapids (4 boards available)
- Kayaking (kayaks available free of charge for camp area)
- Glow-worms cove at night
- Trampoline
- River Jump rope (swing out 5 meters off the water & let go!)
- 8 meter river cliff jump
- Lead Horse ride (Labour Day/New Years Eve/Auckland Anniversary/Easter Sunday)
- River Snorkelling & underwater exploring (bring your own snorkel gear)
- Chickens & duck feeding area
- Ride push bikes around the farm (some bikes available, bring own helmet)
- Kids Play Zone: shaded climbing & swing area for the kids
- Tubing down the rapids (tubes available)
- New Years Eve bon fire & fireworks
- Riding the big cart wheel
- Rock painting (bring your own paint & brush, rocks supplied)
- Pan for Gold (pans supplied, we get 50%!)
- Feed our turkeys across the river
- Catch & release eels with henaki (bring some chicken)
- Picnic at the original Nagti Ira Maori Pa
- Kite flying (stunt kites available)
- Volleyball or badminton (net is up, just bring rackets & bird)
- Picking blackberries in the gorge
- Netball hoop
- Volleyball, rugby ball, gold pans, softball available to borrow.
- Fishing rods for wharf fishing in Opotiki available to borrow.
- Fishing: 10 minutes from deep sea, wharf or trout fishing up stream.
- Golf: 10 minutes from a challenging quite 18 hole golf course.
Top of the Waioekas Nature Walk:
Cross the river (use the dingy if you like) go up past the old sheep dip & big pine tree & follow track up to the top ridge overlooking house. Walk a further 40 minutes till you see the Walk End" sign where you will over look the town of Opotiki & out to sea. Stick to the main ridge!
Creek walk to small waterfall:
Cross the river (use the dingy if you like) walk up left creek for approx 30 minutes till you come to a small rock waterfall. This walk involves some serious climbing over & down slippery rocks & is only for physical capable people.
Visit historical ancient Pa sites surrounding New Zealands Best Spot:
You are staying on traditional lands of Ngati Ira o Waioweka. Ngati Ira Pa site is located across the river between the two creeks, is sign posted & a nice spot to visit. A second Pa was located on the ridge up the "Top of the Waioekas". Matahanea: Mata (face) - ha (breath) nea (referring to Tawhirimatea the god of winds & storms). Matahanea Pa site is located up to the left below the island.
The Waioeka Journey - Te Awa a Tamatea:
Seven areas have been established through the gorge to tell of the history, culture, geology, and ecology of the gorge. The journey starts just around the corner from New Zealands Best Spot at Matahanea, then Tauranga , Goldsmiths, Oponae, The Monument, Manganuku, & ends at Opato. It's a nice drive through the gorge & very educational. Well worth the trip.
Historical Tauranga Bridge & Tauranga Track Walk:
is on the right side of the road 12km from New Zealands Best Spot. This is a 2 - 3 hour walk up one of the first farmed areas in our district. It involves two creek crossings so you will get your feet wet. For those who prefer dry feet however at the start of the walk is the recently restored historic and picturesque Tauranga Bridge and is well worth a visit.
Rere Rock Slide:
Rates as one of the Must-to-Do exciting things in the region. Have fun, like you remember from your childhood, when you race down 60m of rock. It's a wild ride made smooth by a coating of constantly running water. Most age groups could give this a go, and it's likely that one ride won't be enough! On a boogie board with wet suit is best. Approx 1.5 hours from New Zealands Best Spot.
Motu Falls
Visit Motu Falls in Whinray Scenic Reserve and take in a 2 hour bush walk in a wholly pre-European forest containing 50m giant podocarps. Approx 1 hour from New Zealands Best Spot.
Marawaiwai Walk:
Nice easy short walk & great for young kids. Full of bird life. About a ¼ of the way down the Waioeka straights heading towards Opotiki is Warrington Rd to the right, go down there then 1st right is Harrison Rd go to end & see walk on right.
Hukutaia Domain Forest Walk:
Home of the 2000 year old "Taketakerau" puriri burial tree. Nice easy walk with all trees labelled for easy identification. Go back through Opotiki heading towards Whakatane. Immediately after crossing the Waioeka river bridge turn left on Woodlands Rd. Follow that road to virtually the end & the track is on the left.
Additional Stuff to Do:
Ask Mike for a Pacific Coast Highway Guide or visit the Opotiki I-Site
located on the corner of St. Johns & Elliott Street, Opotiki.
Feel free to contact us for more information.
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