Opua: Coastal Walks, History and Connections

Opua brings together coastal walks, a distinctive building from the town’s history and a short car ferry crossing. This gives you a range of experiences to consider during your stay: you can explore the coast along the Paihia to Ōpua Coastal Walkway, include other walks around Opua in your plans or take the connection to Okiato into account. Which of these shapes your holiday may also play a part in choosing a holiday rental in Opua.

A building above the water

The Opua Store stands out for its design: the late-Victorian-style building was constructed on piles above the water by John Raymond Morris in 1914. This gives Opua a tangible trace of its history, connected to its waterside location. The store is a distinctive detail for anyone interested in architecture and a place’s character, as well as outdoor activities. The year, architectural style and construction bring the building’s history to life without the need for a lengthy historical account.

Coastal walkway and finding your way around Ōpua

The Paihia to Ōpua Coastal Walkway runs east along the coast from the southern end of Haumi Bay to Ōpua. Its southern end is at Ōpua Wharf in Ōpua. This means you can orient yourself using two clearly named points: the southern end of the bay and the wharf. If you are considering Opua as a holiday destination, this coastal walkway offers a hiking option that connects the route itself with the coast.

Another option is the Opua Kauri Walk. Its starting point is on Oromahoe Road, about 4 km from State Highway 11 and close to the settlement of Opua. This approximate distance helps with planning when you include the walks in your day. The Oromahoe Traverse also eventually leads from the Opua Kauri Walk area to School Road in Paihia; it is listed as taking about two additional hours. The two trail names also raise different planning questions: Where does the walk begin, and do you want to continue the route beyond the Kauri Walk area?

A loop or individual sections

The Bay of Islands Coastal Walkway is a full-day loop walk connecting Paihia, Opua, Okiato and Russell. You can start at any point, complete the loop in a day or split the walk into individual sections. This leaves room for you to plan your day as you prefer: if you intend to complete the entire loop, you can plan it as a full-day activity; if you prefer to cover shorter stretches, you are not tied to a single starting point. When travelling together, it can be helpful to decide in advance whether a full day of hiking or one section better suits your planned holiday day.

Take the car ferry to Okiato

Car ferries cross from Opua to Okiato in ten minutes. This short crossing is a practical factor to consider when choosing where to stay, especially if Okiato is part of your travel plans. Along with the walking routes, it gives the holiday destination appealing options both for days on foot and for a trip across the bay. A holiday rental in Opua could therefore suit you if you are considering the town as a base for these activities; you can weigh up the walks and ferry crossing separately according to your plans for each day.

More destinations

If you would like to compare more destinations, you can also find Coopers Beach, Waipoua Forest, Kawakawa, Taipa-Mangonui, Waitangi, Opononi, Waipapakauri and Matauri Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Far North District.