Okaihau: Twin Coast Cycle Trail and railway traces

Okaihau brings together visible traces of railway history and the Twin Coast Cycle Trail. A railway-themed rest stop looks out over the site of the former Ōkaihau railway station; a bilingual information panel covers the history of the railway in Ōkaihau. Today’s trail use thus meets a reminder of the railway’s past. The rest stop offers a tangible starting point for anyone wanting to combine a bike ride with a look at the town’s history.

On the Twin Coast Cycle Trail

The Twin Coast Cycle Trail is accessible from Okaihau. The short section between Ōkaihau and Hōreke is rated as moderately difficult. For trip planning, it is useful to consider these separately: the route is described as short, while its difficulty is moderate. The trail starts in Okaihau via Nova Street; Two Ponga Park is just beyond the public toilets.

Many Twin Coast Cycle Trail shuttle buses use Okaihau as a pick-up and drop-off point. Anyone considering combining a cycling stage with a shuttle can therefore include the town as a reference point in their plans. Okaihau Golf Club, a 9-hole golf course, is also in town. Cycling and golf are thus two distinct activity options, and you can give each more or less time depending on your travel interests.

Nearby, Horeke Road leads from Okaihau to the Wairere Boulders. The nature park is characterized by large basalt boulders that fill a valley. This adds a distinctive landscape perspective to the railway and sporting themes.

History and landscapes in the Far North District

Across the wider Far North District destination, historic sites in Mangonui, Kerikeri and Russell offer further perspectives on history and architecture. The former Mangonui Courthouse in Mangonui was built in 1892 and is an unusually intact example of a small courthouse of national significance. Kerikeri is home to the Stone Store, built between 1832 and 1836: it is New Zealand’s oldest intact stone building and also its oldest surviving warehouse. Pompallier in Russell was built between 1841 and 1842 and is among New Zealand’s earliest surviving French colonial buildings. These examples differ both in their periods of construction and in their building types.

The landscape also reveals other facets of the Far North District. The Te Paki Coastal Track offers views of the northern coast, regenerating bush and large, wind-shaped sand dunes. You can walk the entire track or selected sections; there are four campgrounds along the route. It is advisable to check current conditions before visiting this track.

The Te Ahu Museum at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitāia presents the history of the Far North District. Its topics include pre-European Māori artefacts, gold mining, Dalmatian heritage, kauri gum and timber, early shipwrecks, and missionaries and pioneers. The museum offers films, interactive exhibits, virtual landscape tours and informative displays for visitors of all ages. Its extensive archive includes documents, journals, newspapers, maps and photographs; more than 500 records are available online.

Discover more destinations: Opua, Waimate North, Te Tii, Kawakawa, Kaitaia, Waipoua Forest, Waitangi, Te Kao.

For the wider travel overview: Far North District.