See some of the most breathtaking trees in New Zealand in the Waipoua Forest. Short walks lead to Tane Mahutu – the Lord of the Forest, and Tane Matua Ngahere – the Father of the Forest. These are the largest and oldest living kauri trees in New Zealand.

Special Twilight Tours can be booked at

Tours | Footprints Waipoua | Northland

Nature reserve in Omapere, New Zealand with tracks leading to beaches and Tasman Sea lookout.

From the Hotel it is a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the Reserve entrance.

Parking is available.

Walks vary in difficulty.

For further details click link

Arai Te Uru Reserve | Northland & Bay of Islands, New Zealand

The Sands Hotel has 3 Event spaces, all with Ocean Views and connected outdoor decks, available for your wedding.

We are able to cater up to 200 guests for a Buffet Dinner, or up to 100 guests for a Plated Meal. 

Wedding Ceremonies may be conducted under our stunning Pohutukawa tree with a backdrop of the Hokianga Harbour and Heads.

The Hotel lawns may be available for a Marquee and Cocktail Reception and Drink service

We are also able to provide a full hotel buyout, including 43 rooms accommodation in addition to the event space, restaurant and bar.

Please contact events@thesandshotel.co.nz 

The Sands provides 3 event spaces suitable for Conferences, Meetings and Events

Catering is provided in our Bryers Restaurant for Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea service.

We are able to accommodate up to

• 200 guests for Theatre style Meeting 
• 40 guests for U-Shape in each of two meeting rooms
• Boardroom Style for 10 - 40

Please contact events@thesandshotel.co.nz for Menus and arrangements

The Sands provides a spectacular venue for an Executive Retreat or Company Teambuilding.

• Luxury options include Accommodation in our 10 Luxury Villas (Single or Twin Share occupancy)
• Mid-scale options utilise our 12 Superior Rooms (Single or Twin Share occupancy).
• A more economical option is available utilising our Beachfront 2-bedroom Rooms for up to 20 guests (sharing, 3-4 guests per room)

Teambuilding activities and Local Tours and Sightseeing can be arranged upon request.

Please contact events@thesandshotel.co.nz

For further details click link GeoTrips - exploring NZ

The Koutu Boulders are giant, metre-scale cannonball concretions, which are found along the shoreline on both sides of the Hokianga Harbour. They are formed when sediments crystallise on the surface of an object that is tossed and rolled in water currents. These concretions are an erosional lag left behind by the erosion of mudstones and sandstones of the Late Cretaceous Punakitere Sandstone of the Mangakahia Complex. The largest of these concretions are about 6 metres in diameter.

Time from the Hotel: Allow 25 minutes driving time to reach the Carpark.

Turn left from the Hotel entrance onto State Highway 12 then left at the sign for Koutu Loop Road (approximately 14 km).  Follow Koutu Loop Road until you come to Koutu settlement. When the road swings to the right, instead go straight ahead into Koutu Point Road.

Park in the parking area on the point. 

This is the site of the Kauri Timber Mill, which once boasted the largest band saw in the Southern Hemisphere. If you walk around the foreshore to the left you will see the remains of the wharf that saw millions of feet of sawn timber, mainly kauri, shipped to Auckland or overseas.

Return along Koutu Point Road and when you meet the seal, turn left. Follow Koutu Loop Road to the next road on the left, Waione Road. Turn into Waione Road and after about 100m park in the area near the old cattle yards.  Walk around the foreshore and marvel at the spherical concretions.

Return to State Highway 12 and turn right towards Opononi. 

At the junction with Waiotemarama Gorge Road are the Pakanae Marae and St. David’s Church.  A central feature of the Marae is a memorial to Kupe, the first Māori to settle in New Zealand around 1,100 years ago.

Surfing on Northlands West Coast is challenging however rewarding.

Caution must be taken if it is your first time in the Hokianga area.

The hotel staff can connect you with locals who can advise on best breaks and tips within 45 minutes' drive of the Hotel.

Hokianga | Surf Seeker | NZ Surf Guide

The northern shore of Hokianga Harbour is the location of spectacular Sand Dunes.

Opononi Sand Dunes | Northland, New Zealand - Let's Be Explorers

Fully visible from the Hotel Restaurant and Bar as well as our Beachfront Rooms, the colours that develop on the Dunes as light changes throughout the day & evening are spectacular.

Tours can be arranged by local Charter Boat.

Hokianga Express Charters

49 Kokohuia Road Ōmāpere 0444

09 405 8872

The majority of our Hotel Staff whakapapa to one or more local Marae in the Hokianga Harbour area.

Visits to Marae are special occasions, by invitation only and can be arranged via the Hotel.

For further details click link

Visit Clendon House | Northland Attraction

Clendon House

• Learn about life as a nineteenth century merchant, politician and trader.
• Explore the Clendon connection to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakaputanga.
• Browse the UNESCO-recognised Clendon Collection.

Visit Māngungu Mission | Northland Attraction

Stand at the site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi on the shore of the majestic Hokianga Harbour.

A personal and tangible connection

Māngungu Mission was once a bustling place, with missionaries coming and going from the Pacific. The only ‘stayer’ was the Rev. John Hobbs, who resided with his family from 1840 until 1855.

The mission’s location allowed it to develop as a point of cultural convergence. No surprise, then, that it was the site of the largest signing of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a crowd of nearly 3,000 watching over 60 rangatira ink the document.

When you visit Māngungu make sure you see the little parlour table on which Te Tiriti was signed. It’s a humble piece of furniture, but it provides a very personal and tangible connection.

Kupe memorial anchor stone, and St Lukes Anglican Church, Pakanae Marae, Hokianga, Northland, New Zealand

Fishing is possible all year around, with options from Beaches, Local Wharf immediately outside Hotel or on a local Charter Boat.

Special caution must be taken when fishing on the coastline outside the Harbour.

Hokianga locals are very helpful, so check the tides and ask a local for advice on a good spot!

The Hotel's Bryers Restaurant and Bar is open 7 days a week.

Please make your Reservation at the Bar or Reception or call the Hotel 09-405-8737

Dining is available both indoors and on our outdoor decks during summer months.

A fireplace during winter and piano are available for your enjoyment.

Breakfast is served Monday - Friday 07:30 - 09:30 am and Sat/Sun 8:00 - 09:30 am

A Continental Buffet breakfast is available, currently priced @ $19.00 per person (price applicable until 31 March 2025) including GST

A Full-cooked breakfast, including the Continental selection is available at $29.00 per person (price applicable until 31 March 2025) including GST. We take your order for the cooked breakfast to ensure it is fresh and hot.

Lunch is served at weekends during summer months (October-March), subject to hotel occupancy and demand.

Beverage Service and a lighter Bar Menu is available from 5:00pm 7 days per week

Dinner is a more extensive menu and is served from 5:30pm 7 days per week, with last orders at 8:00pm

We cater for Vegan, Vegetarian and special dietary requirements. Please advise when making your reservation.

Reservations for Dinner are highly recommended, particularly on a Friday or Saturday evening and during Summer, as demand from the local market is high.

Group bookings are available - groups of 10 or more guests may be allocated more than 1 table due to layout of Restaurant and service speed.

Outdoor dining is available for up to 100 guests

Indoor dining is available for up to 60 guests

We do not have any big-screen televisions within the Bar or Restaurant.

Rawene Town

Rawene is a quaint and historic town on the Hokianga Harbour, where you can experience the beauty and culture of New Zealand's Northland.

Explore the heritage buildings, such as the Clendon House and the Wesleyan Church, or browse the local arts and crafts shops for unique souvenirs.

Enjoy a delicious meal at one of the cafes or take a scenic ferry ride across the harbour to see the stunning sand dunes and kauri forests.

Hokianga Ferry | Hokianga Vehicle Ferry Information | Northland Ferries

Catch the Kohu Ra Tuarua vehicle ferry between Rawene and the Narrows, 4km south of Kohukohu. The ferry service operates seven days a week. At peak times the ferry may change to “shuttle” mode. During these times the timetable may be suspended, and sailings will be more frequent.

Please note low tides may dictate travel time for extra-large vehicles, including oversize truck and trailer units, buses and overweight vehicles.

Please contact us on 0800 222 979 to confirm your requirements.