Paihia to Ōpua Coastal Walkway

  • Walking
Difficulty
Medium
Length
8.9 km
Journey Time
2 hours
Region
Northland
Sub-Region
Far North
Part of Collections
Te Araroa - New Zealand's Trail , Te Araroa - North Island

Te Araroa trail section: This track provides wonderful views of the Veronica Channel.

Paihia - Opua Coastal Walkway - 8.5km

From the Waitangi Bridge, follow the coastal Marsden Road via beach or footpath south through Paihia township.

At the southern end of Paihia Beach (junction of Marsden and Seaview roads by toilets/car park), you have 2 options:

  1. When the tide is out, follow the coastline from Paihia Beach around to Haumi Bay.
  2. If the tide is in, take the footpath south on Seaview Road to Haumi Bay.

From the southern end of Haumi Bay, follow the signed track beside/under the bridge and around the coast to the east until you reach Ōpua.

If the tide is too high to continue around the coast from Lemons Bay (km 250) take the steps up to Richardson Street

If planning to kayak to Waikare it is easier to launch from the Paihia beach. Contact Nick at Bay Beach Hire on 021 159 2185. Details in Waikare Connection information.

Conditions

Track standard: mixed grade

Potential hazards

  • Vehicles on road or track
  • Take care around water, slippery rocks

How to get here

Northern Start: Waitangi Bridge, Paihia

Southern End: Ōpua Wharf, Ōpua, Bay of Islands

Transport

Accommodation

  • Bay of Islands Lodge, Corner of Kings & MacMurray Rds, Paihia - See special Te Araroa walker rates here.  Call or Text: 021 560 306 - Email: andy@bayofislandslodge.com
  • Waitangi Holiday Park & Mayfair Lodge backpackers - 1 Tahuna Rd, Waitangi - P: 0800 55 6660 or 09 402 786 - E: waitangiholidaypark@xtra.co.nz
  • Centabay Lodge - 27 Selwyn Rd, Paihia - P: 0800 402746 - E: centabay@xtra.co.nz
  • Accommodation option - It is fortunate to provide accommodation in such an isolated forest area, available is a four sleeping cabin, space for tents, campervans or a short stop over for a break.  Approximately it is $18 pp, this allows use of the showers, laundry, camp kitchen and some utensils, pots and pans available. Tea and coffee can be provided at no cost.  Pick ups are available for groups or singles $10.00, one way trip.  Pick ups and drop offs are at Russell waterfront Four Square, or at the Waikare Inlet.  Details for contact are to Bernard, his email address is gardnerbernard1@gmail.com, please give a days notice.  Phone no. in NZ is 021 0874 34444 Bernard or Aroha on 021 0243 4349.

Accommodation en route

Food And Supply

Track Elevation and Map

Total 6 photos. Click image above to view them all.

More information

Paihia

Before starting Te Araroa either as a through-walker of the whole country or a section walker, please register on Te Araroa website. Please also visit the website or download the app for detailed maps, trail alerts and other relevant information.  

This track is part of the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa track database. Herenga ā Nuku has maps and advice about public access to the outdoors.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz.

We recommend trying these online learning tools:

Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel.

Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip
Page last updated: 23/04/2025, 8:49 am