Thread: Summer family camping trip to Ohiwa Beach BOP, must see things while up there?

Hey guys, just after some info from locals or people that know the area.

We will be spending a week camping with the family at Ohiwa Beach camp ground over summer, what are some cool places to visit, short walks etc, things to see while we are in the BOP.

Waioeke Gorge isn't far away by the looks, is that worth a visit?

Any other recommendations lads?

Cheers

Waioeka gorge has some nice swimming holes. Could head up to Te Ureweras, but have forgotten name of road you need to take. Perhaps a day trip to White Island from Whakatane. Head to Kawerau and get permission from local forestry office to drive the dusty pine forest road to where Tarawera River leaves Lake Tarawera. Walk the track down stream with a volunteer driver meeting you where track terminates. The river appears insignificant until it disappears in a split in the base of a rock face to emerge as a spewing torrent (like a broken water pipe) out of a sheer face further downstream. Stunning scenery!

Eeling in the small estuary at the north end of the beach after dark. Kids should love it.
Take a torch and something to spear them with. Heaps of eels and the odd flounder too.

Bell's Road is the access route to the Waimana Valley, Te Urewera. Easy walk at the Lions Hut (Grannies track) about 40 minutes drive from the start of Bell's Road on State Highway 2 at Nukuhou. You can drive about another 15 minutes past the Lions Hut, the Otapukawa stream is best only attempted with 4WD due rough terrain, soft gravel. From Tauwharemanuka you can walk up the river (easy) to Tawhana flats. The track to Tawhana has a large slip/drop-out that is negotiable with care - but not really for kids, just beyond "the lookout" about 40 minutes up from where you can drive, but still worth the walk. Motu river jet-boat ride with Mark Looney from Opotiki is well worthwhile, river is currently low but he knows his way around. In the Waioeka you can turn off the main highway at Wairata, cross the bridge to the true left of the river about 5 minutes off the highway and drive until you get to a gate by a woolshed at Murray Redpath's - park just through the gate. Walk from there following the farm track to the swing-bridge and over to Kotepato Hut, about an hour each way. Pakihi cycle (Motu trails) track is definitely good, transport and bikes available from Opotiki. Plenty more, just depends on age of kids and how hard you want to go at it.

Hey guys, some awesome detailed stuff there, sorry was supposed to mention age of the kids. Only 6 and 4 so fairly tame stuff needed.

Will be in my prado 4wd.

Thanks for the info so far.

Take a surfcasting rod plenty of good fishing along that coast. With a 4x4 you can get onto a few of the beaches good family stuff.

Day trip along the coast to East Cape, stunning scenery the whole way.

Yeh all of the above
I’m meant to be off up that way but with 4-6m swells I’ll stay put till NY now.
Plenty to do really but the best bet it to have them at that age enjoying the camping and the sea side. Call up to Maraehako if you want a free coffee and a chat and a cray and a fillet. I’ll be there come Sunday. It’s 15 mins before Waihau Bay so quiet a drive but as GA said it’s a scenic drive.
Ohiwa is nice just don’t eat all my oysters and flounder.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If the oysters are on go DO NOT miss them, beautiful and the cheapest in NZ .....great fishing anywhere on the coast....ENJOY

If you are coming up through gisborne dont plain on going into town.Not into after NY they have arrived. Had to go into town today it was grid lock

Originally Posted by GWH

We will be spending a week camping with the family at Ohiwa Beach camp ground over summer, what are some cool places to visit, short walks etc, things to see while we are in the BOP.

Near the campground - jumping off the wharf - there's a low wharf for younger kids, hire kayaks from the guy there (KG kayaks) get a double and paddle over for fish and chips - fishing is pretty sweet in the harbour, the kiwi walk at Ohope is pretty big for that age kid but the first bit of it would be OK plus kiwi calls after dark.

Right know i'd say you would have the whole place to your self with this weather. There will be no swimming, no fishing and wouldn't be fun been in a tent.