Shore thing
Feeling suitably obliged to burn off the excess of allmynoshing in Waihı¯ Beach, morning walkies entailed knocking off the cliff-hugging natural splendour of the Orokawa Bay walk. The day had dawned bright and blue-skied, accentuating the panoramic good looks of this banger of walk.
The entrance to this 90minute-return track leads off from the northern end of Waihı¯ Beach, wih an uphill trudge to commenceproceedings. Traversing the coastal headland, swathed in giant pohutukawa, kauri, puriri, and nikau palm trees, soundtracked by breaking rollers and native birdsong, it was the constant sighting of kereru that ramped this walk’s multisensory theatre.
The elevated views across Waihı¯ Beach and as far as MountMaunganui are an early highlight, before infinity perspectives of the big blue ocean continued to captivateme on this undulating trail. Descending through native bush to Orokawa Bay, the sense of blissful seclusion is allencompassing. Pack a picnic and park yourself up under the sweet sprawl of an overhanding pohutukawa, to drink it all in.
Back in town, head to Surf Shack Cafe´. Transforming a pancake den into a seriously cool cafe´, Pip and Jo were living the corporate highlife in Britain, before dreaming of creating a sustainabilityfocused cafe´ in Pip’s home-country. Since purchasing the property six years ago, this community-focused cafe has scooped a stash of awards, includingwinningNZCafe´ of The Year.
Sticklers for sustainability, Jo and Pip are also big believers in giving back, heavily involved in charitable projects across the community. Its vibrant decor, outdoor garden area and eclecticmenuspans everything from belly-busting breakfasts and flavourful burgers to sublime street food. They also do meanpancakes! If you’re up for one of their legendary burgers, whistle up aHa-waihi Surf Burger— with a pattie toppedwith double charred pineapple, double bacon and double cheese. One dollar from every burger sold is donated to the local Surf Life Saving Club. What a star specimen of a communitycentric enterprise.