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There is plenty to do in this tranquil part of South Taranaki - get active or just chill at the beach!
Before taking part in outdoor activities, please be aware that New Zealand's sun is strong between September and April, especially between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Swimming
Opunake Beach is one of the safest swimming beaches in New Zealand. In Summer, our beautiful beach is surf patrolled - thanks to the Opunake Surf Lifesaving Club. Click here to go to their Facebook page. When the lifeguards are not present please swim with their Club building in your line of sight and northward. Avoid the south end of the beach.
The beach is comprised of volcanic black sand with large rock pools at the North-West end of the beach at low tide. From low tide you can see the top of our beautiful Maunga Taranaki (clouds permitting!).
Playground & Paddling Pool (seasonal)
The South Taranaki District Council playground is adjacent to our holiday park. The paddling pool is operational during the summer time - please watch your children and it is recommended to keep heads above water.
Community Baths
Four heated indoor pools open late September to late April. Run by a volunteer committee for our community. 027 874 8981 Click here to go to their Facebook page.
Surfing
Opunake Beach is one of the surf beaches on the popular Surf Highway 45 and attracts people from all over the world to hit the waves!
Don’t know how to surf?! Need a board, a wetsuit? No problem – contact:
For surf lessons contact:
Chris Fuller - 027 338 7463
Harry James - 027 714 2776
To hire equipment:
Dreamtime Surf Shop – 06 761 7570 or 027 444 6148
Click here for the latest Surf Forecast.
Fishing
Opunake Beach has many spots for fishing - off the beach or short walk to the mouth of the Waiaua River. For boat launching drive to Middleton Bay. Fish from the jetty or sand. This beach has no surf life-saving patrol. There is a fee to use the tractor to launch your boat.
Sinclair's Event Centre
Sinclair's Events Centre is South Taranaki's premier sports, recreation, events and function centre based here in Opunake! Field sports, indoor stadium sports, Squash Courts, Tennis Courts plus a Health & Fitness Gymnasium.
156 Tasman Street. 06 76 7534. Click here to access their website.
Coastal and Lake Walks
At either end of the beach is a walkway taking you up to the clifftops and along the coast as part of the Great Opunake Walkway (7km). Stunning rugged cliffs, green farmland and incredible views of Mt Taranaki and the ocean! Pick up a guide from Reception or the Opunake Library. Click here for more information.
Open Studios + Galleries
A varied collective of Artists welcome you to their studios and galleries in the heart of the Taranaki coast. Phone: 210 224 2438 or click here for the website.
Mural Trail
The Opunake Mural Trail consists of 20+ murals depicting historical images and contemporary work throughout the town. Many of these murals represent our rich and varied history, from early Maori through to today's dairying and Maui's natural gas and oil production. Pick up a guide from Reception or the Opunake Library, or click here.
Everybody’s Theatre Cinema
Housed in an elegant historic theatre restored to its former glory, complemented with the latest digital screen technology and brand new luxury seating upstairs. In addition to the latest releases, the theatre also hosts boutique nights, playing a selection of classic, foreign and fringe films and can be hired for functions. Run by a hardworking Trust & many Volunteers. See Park Lounge for what's currently playing, call 027 383 7926 or click here to go to the website.
Shopping
Opunake has a range of shops from fits, souvenirs, postal, electrical, farming, clothing, pets and an art gallery. Buy iconic 'Surf Highway 45' items from:
Karams on the Coast (south end): 06 761 8139
Dreamtime Surf Shop (north end): 06 761 7570
Opunake Golf Club
The golf club is an eighteen hole course with sheep grazing the fairways with sea and mountain views. It is reasonably flat with the occasional lahar mound thrown in for interest. Mens and ladies par is 71 with the mens course 5309 meters and ladies 4809 meters. Click here to go to website.
Actionaki Adventure Activity
You want action – you’ve come to the right place! Paintball, Archery, Clay Shooting, Team Building and More!
0800 824 836 / 027 230 5820 Click here to go to website.
Pihama Lavender Farm
This beautiful lavender farm is about 8km from town and situated in the grounds of Pihama Dairy Factory which has a history dating back to 1897 and a wonderful backdrop for lavender fields. Onsite shop, function centre, and monthly farmers market - 06 761 7012 Click here to go to website.
NEW! Private Beatles Museum
A private museum will take you on a sensory journey of the Beatles. A visionary masterpiece coupled with the sweet sound of music that shaped a generation.
Bookings made by phone or email only. Phone: 021 169 7264. Email: thebeatlesDOWNunder@gmail.com
FURTHER AFIELD
Explore the surrounding areas for short day trips and return to Opunake Beach for a summer sunset over the water and a good night's sleep with the sound of the waves. Here are only some of the many activities...
Mountain Walks
Our Maunga (mountain), Mt Taranaki stands 2518 metres above sea level and has a symmetrical cone shape with a smaller cone protruding from its South Western side, called Fanthams Peak. Mt Taranaki is the world's second best example of a cone volcano behind Mt Fuji in Japan, and was where the movie "The Last Samurai" was filmed starring Tom Cruise. Mt Taranaki is surrounded by 33,534 hectares of rainforests called Egmont National Park and is the source for over 50 rivers and streams around Taranaki.
There are many walking/tramping tracks throughout the park catering for all levels of fitness. On the north side of the maunga is a ski field.
A 35 minute drive from Opunake takes you to the beautiful Dawson Falls - the actual road on the maunga is beautiful but narrow - please take care driving up and down. The road opens up to a large carpark, visitor information centre, lookout and cafe. For more information visit the Department of Conservation website here: DOC NZ.
You can view the mountain from the beach at low tide (clouds permitting!). For more information, check out the brochures available in the Park Lounge or at Reception.
Heritage Gardens
Taranaki Regional Council manages 3 stunning heritage gardens open to the public by donation. Leaflets on each garden are available in the Park Lounge or at Reception. Check out the Garden websites to see what events are happening:
Tupare Gardens, 487 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth click here to go to website
Pukeiti Gardens, 2290 Carrington Road, New Plymouth click here to go to website
Hollard Gardens, 1686 Upper Manaia Road Kaponga click here to go to website
Other Walks
Check out the "Walkers Guide" booklet in the Park Lounge or at Reception to view the many and varied walks in our region.
Cape Egmont Replica Lighthouse & Museum
Work began in 2000 to build a replica lighthouse down Bayly Road at the Cape Egmont Boat Club. The original lighthouse is still situated down the Cape Road in Pungarehu. The Museum houses the light from the original lighthouse and is still operational by inserting a $2 coin.
The Museum is open Saturday, Sunday and Monday 11am - 3pm. Entry is by donation. Click here for more information.
