Hike, bike or drive along a winding road to Pakia Hill Lookout and appreciate an area of jaw-dropping coastal and forested landscapes. Pakia Hill Lookout provides a snapshot of the natural riches of New Zealand’s subtropical Northland region. Take souvenir photographs, watch the sunset and enjoy a picturesque picnic.
Views from the lookout reach over the glistening estuary waters and giant sand dunes of Hokianga Harbour. Look down on the unblemished white sands of a beach that curves around the shoreline between the settlements of Omapere and Opononi. Maoris regard the harbor as sacred and one of the oldest known settlements of New Zealand. According to iwi (Maori tribe) legend, it was here that the Polynesian voyager Kupe landed upon discovering the nation.
Turn your gaze toward the Arai Te Uru headland, which dominates the small Arai Te Uru Reserve. Arai Te Uru and Niua, which is a headland at the northern end of the harbor, are also revered Maori landmarks. Mythology states that they were once taniwha sea monsters that used their tails to create treacherous conditions for invaders.
Beyond the headland the estuary converges with the deep-blue waters of the Tasman Sea. Visit late in the afternoon and linger a while to observe as the sun drops spectacularly into the sea. Pack food and drinks to eat at the lookout’s sloping grassy verge and picnic table.
You’ll find the lookout located on the scenic Twin Coast Discovery Highway. Get here by driving for a few minutes or walk for 15 minutes from the village of Omapere. Free parking is available.
Pakia Hill Lookout is free to visit at any time of the day. It’s one of several interesting activities to include when exploring Omapere. Be sure to walk the trails that weave around Arai Te Uru Reserve and lead to secluded beaches and viewpoints. The Waimamaku Coastal Tracks connect the reserve with the Waimamaku River via a dramatic coastline.
