Do · 6 places
The point is to leave the cafe and go and do something. Cliffs walk, Te Arai for the bigger swell, the fairy-tern boardwalk for an hour of small-bird-watching. Don’t skip the Saturday market.
The main surf beach. Patrol on summer weekends, a left point on the right swell.
“Go up to the lookout above the cliffs — it's the photo you'll send everyone.”— local tip
Two-hour return clifftop walk — best photo on the coast at the halfway lookout.
“Time it for low tide — the hidden beach is twice as good when it's exposed.”— local tip
Boardwalk loop through wetland. Look for fairy terns — they nest here and nowhere else in NZ.
“Best at high tide when the birds are pushed up close to the boardwalk.”— local tip
Weekly local market — produce, baking, ceramics, the jam stall worth queueing for.
“The blackberry jam from the brick-house stall is the souvenir you didn't know you needed.”— local tip
Long, undeveloped, surf-loved beach 15 min south. The bigger swell beach.
“There's a kelp patch off the south end that holds rip currents — swim well north of it.”— local tip
Local artist co-op, only open Thursdays. Worth planning a Thursday around.
“If your visit doesn't include a Thursday, message ahead — they'll sometimes open by appointment.”— local tip