Overview
Opononi and its neighbour Omapere sit on the southern shore of Hokianga Harbour on State Highway 12 in Northland. The twin towns are famous for Opo, a bottlenose dolphin who befriended local children in the 1950s before tragically dying; a statue commemorates this legendary creature on the waterfront.
Beach · Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Nature
Before you go
Accommodation
Options range from the Copthorne Hotel in Omapere to holiday park cabins and basic motels; book ahead in summer as supply is limited.
Connectivity
Mobile phone coverage is available but spotty in some areas; no public WiFi hotspots are mentioned in the town.
Food
Opononi Takeaways and the Opononi Hotel are the main dining options; for groceries, travel to Rawene or Dargaville.
Money
ATMs may be limited in Opononi; carry sufficient cash from larger centres. Credit cards accepted at hotels and the main attractions.
Transport
Opononi is on State Highway 12; no public buses serve the town directly. A car is essential for visiting nearby attractions including the sand dunes and kauri forests.