Opito Bay Beach

This long, sandy beach includes 196 steps to a pa site on the southeast end, plus a short side track to Crayfish Bay.

  • track category: Easy
  • track length: 9-km return
  • walking time: 3-hr return
  • track start location: see map below
  • km from town: 58 km

Track Description: 957 Black Jack Rd, Kuaotunu, 70 min/58 km east of town, partly on gravel (dogs okay but not to Crayfish Bay) – 3-hr/9-km return.

This is a long, sandy beach, with 196 steps on the southeast end that zigzag up to a pa site with pits and terraces. Take care walking through the long grass due to the uneven terrain.

There is also a 10-min track to visit Crayfish Bay via farmland (no dogs) about 150m from the southeast end and an interesting rocky west end worth exploring at low tide.

Park at Skippers Rd Reserve, or continue on Opito Bay Rd for 2 km to the reserve on Moore Cres (toilet available).

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