Attractions

Art Culture

Art Galleries, Weaving Studio, Pottery, Quilting, Floral Art, Wood Carving, Jeweller...

Beaches

Pokohino, Te Ananui, Whiritoa, Onemana, Opoutere, Whangamata.

Bush Walks

Wentworth Valley and Falls, Parakawai Valley and Falls, Luck at Last mine, Pritchards Kauri, Redwood Forest, Onemana Costal Walkway, Peninusula walks...

Indoor Entertainment

Movies, Shopping, Cafes, Bars, Restaurants, Internet Cafes...

Mountain Biking & Horse Riding in the Forest Park

Rayonier allows access for Mountain Bikers and Horse Riders by Permit only. Permits can be purchased at Whangamata i-SITE Visitor Information Centre. The $10 permit is valid for a month. You will receive a map showing the tracks and roads available to mountain bikers in the Tairua Forest when you pay for your permit. You will of course need your own Bikes and Horses.

Picnic Areas

Harbour, Otahu Estuary, Main Beach, Moana Point Reserve, Rangi Avenue Reserve, Williamson Park (Surf Club)...
There are coin operated BBQs in the reserve just south of the playground on Beach Road (Harbour) and at the Northern End of Esplanade Drive (Main Beach).

Scenic Walks

Beverly Hills, Moana Point Reserves, Harbour Walk, Island View, Otahu Estuary, Beach Walk, Peninsula Lookout...

Sports Facilities

Golf courses, tennis courts, squash courts, solar heated swimming pool, bowls, croquet, mini putt...

Water Activities

Deep Sea Fishing, Diving, Kayaking, Coastal Scenic Trips, Snorkelling, Surfing, Surfcasting, Shellfish Collecting, Swimming, Canoeing, Wakeboarding, Longboarding...

Wentworth Valley

GETTING THERE

Turn right at the golf course south of town and drive up the valley. After passing the picnic area (approx 6km), you arrive at the public car park just below the camp manager’s buildings. While walkers leave from here campers turn right, pass close beside the camp manager’s building and drive on to several acres of park-like Department of Conservation’s camp sites.

The track up the Wentworth Valley to the falls is perhaps the most popular of the Whangamata walks. It follows an easy grade along the river, crossing it twice before climbing to the best view of the falls and then on to the top of the falls. Here it becomes much rougher as it continues up to the junction with the Wires/Maratoto track a further hour of so on.

Glammorgan Mine.
Time: 30min (return)
Difficulty: Easy

The Glamorgan claim walk starts to the left just beyond the concrete ford and passes through regenerating bush along the base of a steep hill side. Several mine tunnels pierce the hill side close to the track which drops down to the stream opposite the picnic area. This walk takes about 30min
Note: There are extremely dangerous vertical shafts in the floor of tunnels and through out the valley, often concealed by regenerating bush.

Wentworth Falls.
Time: 1hr 20min (one way)
Difficulty: Easy

A recently updated track makes the falls walk suitable baby stroller access.

You will follow the Wentworth stream up the valley over quite flat ground on a very well defined track. Just before the first bridge crossing you may spot the Auckland Mine relics. Take care while exploring these.

At this point you have a steady climb further up the valley until you come to a short track leading off to the right to the Wentworth Falls lookout. You can carry on up the track for another 5min to access the top of the falls. Please be incredibly careful while exploring the top of the falls.

This is one of the most enjoyable walks in the Whangamata area, take the afternoon off to explore this valley. The campsite is located at the start of the track and boasts fantastic facilities, including BBQ and hot showers! Contact DOC for bookings as this is very popular over the summer months.