Tāne Mahuta
A 30-minute drive south of Opononi, the Waipoua Forest is home to Tāne Mahuta, the largest kauri tree in the world, which is more than 165 feet tall with a trunk girth of nearly 45 feet. To reach this giant tree, take a short jaunt along a wooden gangway, which will bring you up close to Tāne Mahuta from a special platform on the trail.
Koutu Boulders
Walk along the beach two hours before or after low tide to get close to the Koutu Boulders, some of nature’s wonders, which sit alongside the mangrove trees. These huge spherical boulders are rock concretions, formed millions of years ago, which have rolled down onto the shore; the biggest is 10 feet in diameter.
Waimamaku Coastal Track
Just south of Opononi is the Arai Te Uru Recreation Reserve, which marks the start of the Waimamaku Coastal Track, a six-mile trail across vast sandy beaches and clifftops to the mouth of the Waimamaku River. As you follow the coastline, you’ll be treated to views of the mighty sand dunes across the harbor and the waves lapping against the rocky headlands.