A wide, wild stretch of Tasman coast backed by pine forest — with two stories most people don't know, and a bach at the end of a quiet street.
Beach, forest, fishing, village life, whitebait season, and a few things that'll surprise you.
Two minutes on foot. Wide, sandy, and genuinely wild. Swimming, fishing, a surf club in summer — and a wreck walk south to a 19th-century ship still buried in the sand.
Read more →The forest starts right behind the bach. Well-tracked, sheltered, and perfect for mountain biking, running, and long dog walks. Hosts the Great Forest Marathon each year.
Read more →Just enough — a 4 Square, a café, takeaways. The whitebait season brings the river mouths to life. Levin is ten minutes if you need the big shop.
Read more →Kōhawai, snapper, and flounder from the beach. The Manawatū River mouth draws serious whitebaiters from August to November. Boat ramp nearby.
Read more →Summer for swimming and long evenings. Winter for empty beaches and forest walks without a soul. Whitebait season for the river. There's no bad time.
Read more →Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully fenced garden, and a sea glimpse from the upstairs deck. Large enough for six, relaxed enough you'll lose track of the days.
See availability →The beach has been here a long time. Long enough to accumulate stories that go deeper than the surf report.
The beach's original name is Okatia. Ōkatia was a taniwha — a great spirit inhabiting a tōtara on the Puketoi Range — who drove through the Ruahine and Tararua to reach the sea, carving Te Āpiti (Manawatū Gorge) and the river on the way. It came to rest here, at the coast. Rangitāne o Manawatū have held continuous connection to this coastline for over 700 years.
Read the full story →On 24 June 1878, the Scottish iron ship Hydrabad — carrying railway engines from Lyttelton to Adelaide — ran aground two kilometres south of the village. Her captain, Charles Holmwood, deliberately drove her aground to save every person aboard. The foremast stood until 1935. The wreck is still visible at low tide, half-buried in sand, Heritage NZ listed. Holmwood Park carries his name.
Read the full story →Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fenced garden. The beach is two minutes on foot. Book through Airbnb or get in touch directly.