- growing our connection with the marine world.
Wharf Hub for Sea Gardening
Ports of Call
As a part of our approach to growing our connection with marine life, we incorporate taking in one or more nearby 'Ports of Call' that illuminate some of the themes we present.
The Wharf Hub is very fortunate to have many such 'Ports of Call' very close at hand.
Even just being at the Wharf Hub amidst its heritage, looking over to farmlands, watching sunsets reflected in the river, its marine theme, garden art, working antiques and more is an experience in itself.
Our other Ports of Call seek to impart an element of personal growth, of understanding, and awareness of our place in the Universe. These may involve short vehicle excursions.
Such places as Hukutaia Domain, new Opotiki River Mouth groynes, Whitebait restoration model at Cheddar Valley, Ohiwa Glow worm grotto and so on,
Some are even longer again and can take up to 90 minutes travel from the Wharf Hub. These are often good to explore either before arriving at The Wharf Hub or on your departure.
Take in such places as Eastwood Hill Aboretum, Rere Rock slide, Motu Trail loop, the majestic Tarawera Falls, Waioeka Gorge, the now disused wharves of SH35 and so on.
Our suggestions are but springboards in planning an individualised Voyage agenda of interest for you.
Our Ports of Call integrate very well into current emerging top tourism trends. Transformational tourism has elements of giving back to the community your are visiting, and silent tourism fosters a shift toward introspection, developing a deeper connection with where we are at and our relationship with the environment.
So apologies if you're are an adrenalin junkie because apart from a little fun on our water park ropes and slide, you're probably in the wrong place. But if you're seeking a quieter self reflective tourism experience, then welcome.
Wharf Hub Heritage
It is said that tourism exists to fulfill an inner need to explore and discover something unexpected, a need to unravel something mysterious .
The latest trend is in 'regenerative tourism' where taking the community needs into account and giving back are incorporated.
We advocate that Global change for good will come about not from something big but from lots of little changes that we can all make in our own lives.
The Wharf Hub offers tangible examples of this, from worm farms, use of repurposed building materials to a community orchard and even a unique Community Reef building effort.
The Wharf Hub is a small operation but with a big vision. Our hope is that you will be able to take something away with you that will meaningful and lasting, perhaps something more than what you expected.
Be Set Free
The Motu Trails cycleways (and walkway) is an experience in freedom.
It's time to leave your worries behind, in fact we even recommend getting pen, paper and envelop, writing down all you cares and worries, seal it.
Now focus on the track ahead with awe inspiring views of the ocean and East Cape.
You can get back to your worries on your return, they will be there waiting for you.
Taken as walk or bike ride, on lower tides you can return along the beach taking in the sound of the waves and fresh sea air.
The Sand Dunes section of the track starts from right outside the Wharf Hub. An easy graded track that goes for 10km through unique sand dunes vegetation with viewing stops along the way.
Or you can also head westward on the Waiotahi trail to the freedom camping site and pipi beds in the quiet Waiotahi estuary.
Cycle, walk or run. One of the highlights of the track is around the Tirohanga Bluff on a sand dunes board walk. Allow 1-3 hours depending on far your ride.
For full details of all the tracks, circuits and more go to the official web site at www.motutrails.co.nz
Our Night Life
Some interesting night life options include
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At the the Wharf theres a bright lamp that attracts all manner of river life at night.
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The Glow worm grotto at Ohiwa is reached after a short drive then bush walk.
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Nearby Hukutaia Domain comes alive at night with bird song then bugs galore.
Awesome Age
In nearby Hukuwai Domain lives a 2000 year old sprawling pururi tree. To stand before it is to be filled with awe, admiration and wonder.
Named Taketakerau by early Maori, it also once served as a burial tree, where the bones of the distinguished dead were interred, adding to its mystique.
Just a short 6km drive or bike ride from The Wharf Hub. Many travel from overseas just to stand before this tree. Perhaps one of the oldest living things you might see in our own short lifespans.
Allow 1-2 hours
Beach Combing
Within our marine enhancing concrete structures we often use natural materials washed up on the beach - shells, driftwood, seaweeds and more.
Selecting appealing items that are of a size that can be set into our concrete as art is one thing, but selecting treasure that 'speaks' to your inner-self is another.
Monetary treasure might be found too.
On your beach combing keep an eye open for ambergris. We can show you what it looks like and where to look. Every tide brings new opportunity.
Much better than buying a Lotto ticket every week. New Zealand exports around $10 million dollars worth of ambergris found often by accident along our coast lines every year.
Ambergris washed up on sandy shores is less likely to break up. Just this year one surfer found a lump worth $10000.
In our frenetic world how often do we take time out just to be?
Tranquility Moments
'Opotiki by Nature' is fortunate to have easy access to many awesomely special spots.
Just taking in a sunset from the vantage point of the Opotiki Wharf or stop bank outside The Wharf Hub has enthralled many locals and overseas travelers for years.
On our voyages we often speak of them as 'tranquility moments' or reflective times of 'Being' or at one-ment.
Astronauts in space often refer to such moments as the 'overview effect'. So powerful can these moments be that they can act to completely change one's perspective on life.
'Mindfulness' is also a modern equivalent popular concept term that is backed by research for its helpfulness in our daily lives.
Some of our suggestions for connecting with this experience are:
Take a bush walk in the still of the night to visit the nearby Ohiwa glow worm grotto, with its large overhanging trees and gently trickling water fall. Turn off all torches and allow time just to stand and be amongst the stars.
Even our original sun downer deck at The Wharf Hub is popular for star gazing and good conversation on clear nights. A place of stillness after a busy day.
A fire on the beach, a walk barefoot upstream, a walk of reflection in the old Opotiki cemetary or experience a dawn on our expansive sandy beaches and be among the first in the world to see the sun rise on a new day.
Harbour Kayak Trail
The Opotiki Harbour (Pakihikura) and estuary offers an excellent semi sheltered area very suited to beginner kayakers to both gain skills and confidence and explore.
We offer a laminated guide chart to help you with your voyaging and local bird life booklet.
Its easy to spend a couple of hours exploring places of interest like around the wharf or under the new 'golden gate' cycle-way swing bridge.
Alternatively kayaking 2km out to the sandy spit beach at the harbour's entrance, check out the new Harbour groynes, or glide gently up close to observe sea birds of many species, some endangered.
The area is rich in history and ecology too. Huntress Creek is a shallow estuary so named because this was where the troop transfer ship 'Huntress' went aground and was set alight.
Walk to the seat atop of the Wahi Tapu ( Sacred) lands where in earlier time fierce inter tribal battles were fought.
A hot shower and dry towel await you back at the Wharf Hub.
Indigenous cultures such as Maori were well aware of the relationship existing between our outer physical world and an inner spiritual existence. Trees were not cut down without karakia (prayer) first being offered. Fishing was a spiritual activity, with the whole village fasting whilst a fishing party was out at sea.
Attuning to the Spirit
A concept known by differing names around the world.
If you are an astronaut you might refer to it as the 'overview effect'. The good news though is that we don't have to send you into space to experience such a state.
For many it is a reflective or 'Being' state as opposed to an action or 'Doing' state.
Popular today is the rediscovery or renaming of such a state as 'mindfulness' or at oneness.
Whether it be through music, tai chi, meditation, dance, art or prayer, even driving, the ways of attuning to the Spirit are many.
Attuning to the Spirit involves getting in touch with our inner selves. The Wharf Hub has a rich variety of available places to visit or activities that can help here. We hope even staying in the historic Wharf Hub home is to experience a place that is imbued with its own wairua (spirit).
Some experiences we offer in helping to reconnect with our innermost selves include
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Nature bathing in nearby Hukuwai Domain with its 2000 year old burial tree,
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A bush walk up to majestic Onekawa Pa lookout looping back with bare feet along the beach to your car.
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Listening to the famed story 'The Pupu Pool' in a quiet spot.
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Taking time to visit the local historic St Johns Hiona church.
For the Fun of it!
Doing something just for the hell of it can be good therapy for the soul.
We are also a light hearted lot who like to have moments of pure fun too.
Try out wharf jumping. Outside The Wharf Hub we have a water slide, rope swings and more... refreshing river swimming, for young and old, its great fun.
Did you know New Zealand has an official Wharf Jumping Association?
If its frolicking in mud you enjoy, then forget about paying to go to Rotorua's mudtopia. All summer long at low tides, the other side of the river offers a great mud experience.
Local Moari traditionally used it as a form of cleansing soap, and the swim back leaves you feeling clean and rejuvenated.
When the suns not out, no worries. Cooler water temperatures, even a mid-winter polar bear splash, is great for revitalizing the senses. Science now confirms the health benefits to be gained.
There's an out door hot shower and towels back at the Wharf Hub.
Historic Opotiki
Opotiki is rich in cultural history, Historic buildings, and sadly has also been a site of many conflicts throughout the ages. Buses of students sometimes come from Wellington to learn of our history. We ask the questions;
What is it that we learn from history?
Given the circumstances would we do any thing different today?
In what ways are our current perspectives and beliefs challenged by looking at history?
Opotiki has many 'story boards' dotted about in the historic centre of town, outside St Hiona historic Church, on the wharf and along the Motu Trails.
The Opotiki Museum offers more insight into the history of Opotiki with its unique Maori taonga section and more. $10 entry fee.
Opotiki is a majority Maori population township and as such offers its own unique perspectives of history.
From the Wharf Hub its easy walking distance to walk around the story boards, Museum, to the Wharf and many historic sites.
Day Voyages
Bush - Sea - River - Rocks
If you are staying longer in Opotiki then you might want to consider planning to explore further around the East Coast State Highway 35, a journey back in time with decaying wharves to fish from.
Other unique gems are to be discovered that are regenerative in their own way.
Unique Tarawera Falls and lake inland from Kawerau offer an exploration into the essence of 'mauri' or life force.
The natural Rere Rockslide, (we have lilos) offers a natural adrenalin rush.
Being first in the World to see the dawn of a new day at the East Coast lighthouse is pure magic.
Walking over the Ohope Walkway to Whakatane track offers renown scenic rocky shore seascapes.
Nearby Tauranga Bridge and Waioeka Gorge offer a voyage honoring the pioneering spirit.
These trips often take a bit more planning, some need a full day to gain the most from.
The Pakihi Track
The Pakihi Track is a section of the official Motu Cycle Trails.
If its a bit more exertion, challenge, mummering rivers, real back country scenery and bush you seek, then the Pakihi track is what will suit you. No doubt about it, exercise gets the endorphins flowing, brings clarity of thought and banishes the blues.
Option A - Walking. Much of the best part of the Pakihi Track lies along the second half of the track. Here it hugs the river, there are many bridges, bush and even swimming holes.
Although promoted as a one way downhill cycle trail, there's an expansive car park and toilets at the end of the Pakihi Road. You leave your car here and walk up the track as far as you want to go. The Pakihi hut is about three hours walk up, two hours return back to your car.
Buy a Subway sandwich for your lunch at the Hut, best eaten down by the river.
Option B - Round trip self ride. Really experienced cyclists leave the Wharf Hub bright and early, take the 10 km Dunes trail amidst the sand dunes, ride up the Motu Road until you reach the Pakihi Track Entrance, then its downhill through bush and alongside the river until you emerge at Pakihi Road and cycle back to the Wharf Hub. The round trip is 91 km. Bike hire from Motu Trails or Electric bikes from World Travel in town.
Option C -Tauranga Bridge. A good alternative. Access to the Tauranga Bridge is out along the sealed (no dust) main SH2 road to Gisborne. Drive into the Waioeka Gorge for 20 minutes. The signposted car parking area is by the main road. The walk down to the Tauranga Bridge and loop track allow 1.5 hours. You cross the river twice. Not suitable if there has been heavy rains. The track looping back follows a river tributary with majestic huge boulders.
Perspective
We each hold a perspective on life that is unique to us. It is our treasure to hold and to share.
Looking our from their spacecraft, and seeing the earth below, many astronauts become aware of a profound shift in their consciousness. Commonly described as the 'Overview Effect'.
"It is the experience of seeing firsthand the reality of the Earth in space, which is immediately understood to be a tiny, fragile ball of life, "hanging in the void", shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere. From space, national boundaries vanish, the conflicts that divide people become less important, and the need to create a planetary society with the united will to protect this "pale blue dot" becomes both obvious and imperative."
Ian O'Neil.
We can also easily get caught up in of our small worlds. Gaining 'perspective' is something that can be gained with a walk up to the ancient elevated Maori pa site called Onekawa, some 15 minutes drive outside Opotiki.
With commanding views up and down the coast and out to legendary Whakaari (White Island) a lookout was kept for approaching enemy waka. (war canoes)
Keeping life and its events in perspective is an useful mindset to have.
What's important in life and what is not?
Stepping outside our own immediate world of concerns and looking down on ourselves can be useful skill to acquire.
Allow 2-3 hours for the circuit walk and reflective time at the top.
Closer walk/bike distance alternative:
Spend time ambling about the old Opotiki Cemetery just a short distance away on the town limits.
