Rawene

Travel Guide
Rawene showing tranquil scenes, a small town or village and a lake or waterhole
Rawene which includes signage
Rawene
Rawene
Rawene which includes a church or cathedral and heritage elements
Blessed with a timeless kind of beauty, this charming fishing town in “the Winterless North” has a surprisingly diverse range of visitor attractions.

Rawene’s main street, Parnell Street, slopes down to the water’s edge, where some of the older wooden structures are poised over the harbor like boat sheds. These picturesque buildings include a supermarket, arts and crafts galleries and a café, so start your explorations here.

Clendon Esplanade along Rawene’s waterfront was named after Captain Clendon, a well-respected European settler who became New Zealand’s first United States Consul. Clendon had also witnessed New Zealand’s Declaration of Independence in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

In Rawene, James Clendon acted as a magistrate, settling disputes between settlers and Māori. Visit the heritage-listed Clendon House along the esplanade to hear the story of Jane, who was partly Māori and had 8 children with James. When he died in 1872, Jane was just 34 and had inherited all her husband’s debts. Through hard work and determination, Jane managed to pay off the debts, keep the family home and educate the children within the next decade.

Along the same esplanade, browse the gallery of the iconic Boatshed Café, a historic wooden structure on stilts that quite literally stands out from the rest. While here, pick up the Walk Hokianga map and follow the nearby mangrove boardwalk, where a century ago a timber mill worked around the clock.

You can’t miss The Wedge, an unusually shaped and colorful hub of galleries. Browse the artworks or enjoy the café in the Tony Bridge Gallery. The Wedge also houses Loriz Felts, a shop of hand-made felt creations, and Māori Magic. The latter shows you the ways of Rongoa Māori (traditional medicine) with locally made balms. For more local products, browse the markets at the Rawene Town Hall on the first Saturday of the month.

Rawene hugs the harbor at the end of Rawene Road. Because the town is like a time capsule of a bygone era, it’s worth the short detour from the highway. If you’d like to stay the night, check out The Masonic Hotel and The Postmasters Lodgings, two wonderful heritage buildings. From the Rawene wharf, you can board a vehicle ferry to explore the North Hokianga Harbour.

The Sands Hotel
The Sands Hotel
3 out of 5
334 State Highway 12, Omapere
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$134 per night from 12 Dec to 13 Dec
S$134
includes taxes & fees
12 Dec - 13 Dec
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (32 reviews)
"Continental breakfast today was poor. Full breakfast yesterday was poor.....incinerated bacon, only partially cooked fried eggs."

Reviewed on 18 Nov,2024

The Sands Hotel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel
2.5 out of 5
45 STATE HIGHWAY 12, Opononi
The price is S$163 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
S$163
includes taxes & fees
25 Nov - 26 Nov
Book a stay at this beach motel in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (327 reviews)
Lovely self-catering stop over.
"Lovely location by the Water front, beautiful gardens, supermarket 5 minures walk where we could buy stuff to cook on the communal BBQ. One of our favourite stops whilst travelling the North Island of New Zealand."

Reviewed on 14 Nov,2024

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Opononi Resort
Opononi Resort
3 out of 5
19 State Highway 12, RD 3, Opononi
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (97 reviews)
"Beautiful veiws"

Reviewed on 29 Mar,2022

Opononi Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary - Conservation Area
Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary - Conservation Area
2 out of 5
93 Jones Road, Donnellys Crossing
Stay at this campground in Donnellys Crossing. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a garden. Popular attraction Trounson Kauri Park is located nearby.
Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary - Conservation Area
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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