From Te Mata to Ocean Beach
Just southeast of Havelock North, a scenic rural road winds through rolling hills towards Ocean Beach, a dramatic sweep of the East Coast surf. Less travelled than the nearby Te Mata Peak or Cape Kidnappers, this route is a quiet, scenic loop worth exploring on a fine day. It’s around a 40-minute drive from central Napier, connecting Waimarama Road with Ocean Beach Road and passing the elevated Mt Erin Lookout along the way.
Pastoral hills and a breathtaking beach reveal
Ocean Beach Road cuts east through a classic Hawke’s Bay landscape of green farmland, golden in the summer months. The road climbs gently before reaching a 100-metre-high ridgeline with a sudden, sweeping reveal of Ocean Beach below — a long arc of surf coast that runs unbroken for several kilometres.
The beach itself is open and east-facing, with consistent surf and strong swells. It's popular among local surfers, although currents can be strong, and caution is advised for swimmers. A stream cuts across the southern end of the beach, creating a natural curve that shifts with the tide. There are no shops or surf clubs here, just a windswept coast with space to roam.
Mt Erin Lookout and Maraetotara Falls
Before Ocean Beach Road branches off, Waimarama Road climbs to the Mt Erin Lookout, a panoramic spot that takes in wide northern views across the Heretaunga Plains towards Te Mata Peak and the Ruahine Range. On clear days, you can even see the Mahia Peninsula in the far northeast.
Further along Waimārama Road, a side trip onto Maraetōtara Road leads to the Maraetotara Falls. This 5-metre waterfall drops into a clear pool surrounded by native bush, with an easy walking track from the road (around 10 minutes return).
How to get there
From Hastings or Havelock North, head south on Te Mata Road and continue onto Waimarama Road. After around 20 km, veer left onto Ocean Beach Road. If you continue on Waimarama Road for 10 minutes, you will reach Waimārama, another east coast surf beach with accommodation facilities and a general store.
Other nearby options include the several scenic walks of Te Mata Peak, as well as the gannets and cliffs at Cape Kidnappers.
