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We've compiled the best of the best in Tairua - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
From the pointy volcanic peak rising above the entrance to Tairua Harbour, you'll get views of the estuary, coastline, and offshore islands. The trail is short and steep, with handrails and stone steps along the way. It's suitable for people of most fitness levels, with a short scramble up some boulders before you reach the summit. Park on Paku Drive, next to the Paku Recreational Park. The walk takes around 45 minutes round-trip.
Take a detour to the dazzling, white-sand Opoutere Beach and Wharekawa Harbour, reached by a five-minute drive off State Highway 25, turning left 24 km (15 miles) south of Tairua on the road to Whangamata. The road follows the Wharekawa Estuary to a parking lot. From here cross a wooden footbridge and follow the trail for 10 minutes through the forest to the long white beach. Much of the estuary and headland area here is a wildlife refuge, a breeding ground for shorebirds, including the endangered New Zealand dotterel. Take care not to enter fenced areas as these protect the barely visible eggs that lie in shallow nests in the sand.
