Rawene

Travel Guide

Rawene which includes a lake or waterhole, a small town or village and tranquil scenes
Rawene showing signage
Rawene
Rawene
Rawene showing a church or cathedral and heritage elements

Blessed with a timeless kind of beauty, this charming fishing town in “the Winterless North” has a surprisingly diverse range of visitor attractions.

Rawene’s main street, Parnell Street, slopes down to the water’s edge, where some of the older wooden structures are poised over the harbour like boat sheds. These picturesque buildings include a supermarket, arts and crafts galleries and a café, so start your explorations here.

Clendon Esplanade along Rawene’s waterfront was named after Captain Clendon, a well-respected European settler who became New Zealand’s first United States Consul. Clendon had also witnessed New Zealand’s Declaration of Independence in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

In Rawene, James Clendon acted as a magistrate, settling disputes between settlers and Māori. Visit the heritage-listed Clendon House along the esplanade to hear the story of Jane, who was partly Māori and had 8 children with James. When he died in 1872, Jane was just 34 and had inherited all her husband’s debts. Through hard work and determination, Jane managed to pay off the debts, keep the family home and educate the children within the next decade.

Along the same esplanade, browse the gallery of the iconic Boatshed Café, a historic wooden structure on stilts that quite literally stands out from the rest. While here, pick up the Walk Hokianga map and follow the nearby mangrove boardwalk, where a century ago a timber mill worked around the clock.

You can’t miss The Wedge, an unusually shaped and colourful hub of galleries. Browse the artworks or enjoy the café in the Tony Bridge Gallery. The Wedge also houses Loriz Felts, a shop of hand-made felt creations, and Māori Magic. The latter shows you the ways of Rongoa Māori (traditional medicine) with locally made balms. For more local products, browse the markets at the Rawene Town Hall on the first Saturday of the month.

Rawene hugs the harbour at the end of Rawene Road. Because the town is like a time capsule of a bygone era, it’s worth the short detour from the highway. If you’d like to stay the night, check out The Masonic Hotel and The Postmasters Lodgings, two wonderful heritage buildings. From the Rawene wharf, you can board a vehicle ferry to explore the North Hokianga Harbour.

Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene

Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene

Rawene
Stay at this cottage in Rawene. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Rawene Community Library and Rawene Domain are located nearby.
Rawene Cottage
"Amazing whānau friendly cottage, exactly what we needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and visit whānau for catch ups. Awesome stay, kids had an absolute blast."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2024

Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene
The Sands Hotel

The Sands Hotel

3 out of 5
334 State Highway 12, Omapere
The price is €83 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
€83
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (115 reviews)
"Great view. Evening meal pre"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

The Sands Hotel
Opononi Lighthouse Motel

Opononi Lighthouse Motel

2.5 out of 5
45 State Highway 12, Opononi
Fully refundable
The price is €89 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
€89
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach motel in Opononi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (356 reviews)
"The property was very clean and was well appointed. The heating in both the main room and with an electric blanket was appreciated in cold rainy weather The parking is limited but there are marked spaces for each motel unit though this depends on the courtesy of other users who do not use more than ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Opononi Lighthouse Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene

Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene

Rawene
Stay at this cottage in Rawene. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Rawene Community Library and Rawene Domain are located nearby.
Rawene Cottage
"Amazing whānau friendly cottage, exactly what we needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and visit whānau for catch ups. Awesome stay, kids had an absolute blast."

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2024

Historic Cottage in the Heart of Rawene
Northland/Hokianga/Opononi
Stunning beach house for sunset
Orca

Northland/Hokianga/Opononi Stunning beach house for sunset Orca

Omapere
Stay at this chalet in Omapere. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Opononi Beach and Omapere Beach are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (20 reviews)
Beautiful surroundings
"My daughter and I loved staying in this accomodation with a beautiful view of the dunes right across the road. Beautiful sunsets and just a few steps away to the waters edge and beautiful beach. This place had everything we needed with some amazing places to visit."

Reviewed on 31 Mar 2025

Northland/Hokianga/Opononi Stunning beach house for sunset Orca
The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families

The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families

Ōmāpere
Stay at this vacation home in Omapere. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Omapere Beach and Opononi Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (35 reviews)
Lovely spot but note outside shower
"The bach is in a great spot across road and through some bush to a great beach, but limited harbour views due to trees across the road. The bach is comfy and kitchen well appointed. Nice to have a table big enough for pur group. There is a handheld shower over a bath inside with main showers in a ..."

Reviewed on 5 May 2025

The Green Bach opposite beach- quirky and great for groups and families
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit