Ōpoutere Beach

Opoutere is one of the quietest beaches on the east coast, with a long sweep of sand, rock pools at the north end and a wildlife-rich harbour inside the spit. The walk in from the Wharekawa Harbour car park takes about 15 minutes through pines and dunes.

Good to know

• Stay on the path through the pines, some trees are dying and drop limbs
• Nesting season for dotterels is November to February, give the sandspit space
• The north end rock pools are good at low tide

Best time

Low tide, weekday

Getting there

Sealed to Ohui Road, short sandy track from the Wharekawa car park

Vehicles

Fine in any car

Dogs

No dogs

Data: Roadtrip. Things change: check opening times, prices and rules before you go.