Ohawe Beach is a rugged stretch of South Taranaki coast near Hawera — about 92km from Whanganui. It’s stony rather than sandy, which makes it better suited to fishing, coastal walking and dog exercise than swimming. A small campsite is on site, and surf life savers patrol on summer Sundays. The Waingongoro River meets the sea here, and after heavy rain water quality can drop — worth checking before you wade in.
Practical Information
| Distance from Whanganui | Approximately 92km (near Hawera) |
|---|---|
| Drive time | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Patrolled swimming | Sundays in summer only |
| Swimming suitability | Limited — stony beach, river mouth nearby affects water quality |
| Dogs | Off-leash dog area |
| Camping | 20 powered sites, 25 tent sites — kitchen, laundry, toilets, hot showers |
| Water quality | Avoid swimming 2–3 days after heavy rain — check lawa.org.nz |
About Ohawe Beach
Ohawe is characteristic of the South Taranaki coast — exposed, windswept and genuinely rugged. The beach is stony and the Waingongoro River drains a large agricultural catchment, meaning water quality can deteriorate after rain events. It’s not the coast you come to for a swim, but it has real appeal for what it is: a quiet off-leash beach with a functional campsite and the kind of raw, wild scenery that the more popular beaches around Whanganui don’t offer.
The campsite is simple and well set up — powered and unpowered sites, a kitchen and dining room, laundry, toilets and hot showers. It works well as a base for exploring the broader South Taranaki coast.
Where to Learn More
TripAdvisor — Ohawe Beach: Visitor reviews and photos of the beach and campsite.
LAWA — Ohawe Beach water quality: Current monitoring data, swimming safety and conditions at the beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Ohawe Beach from Whanganui?
About 92km — roughly 1 hour 20 minutes via SH3 toward Hawera.
Is Ohawe Beach good for swimming?
Not particularly — it’s stony and the Waingongoro River mouth can affect water quality after rain. Surf life savers patrol on summer Sundays only.
Are dogs allowed at Ohawe Beach?
Yes — it’s a designated off-leash dog area.
Can you camp at Ohawe Beach?
Yes — 20 powered sites and 25 tent sites with kitchen, laundry, toilets and hot showers on site.
What is the beach best for?
Fishing, coastal walking, surfing, dog exercise and photography — the wild rocky foreshore suits all of these better than swimming.
What’s nearby?
Hawera is a short drive north — combine with the Tawhiti Museum and Water Tower for a fuller day.
Browse all day trips from Whanganui. Nearby: Hawera day trip for the Tawhiti Museum and Water Tower.