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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -37.98747, 177.35530. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 20 km return via same track
- Walking time
- 4 hr return
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Ōpōtiki area
- Dog access
- Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
On this easy, beautiful trail, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Whakaari/White Island, Moutohora/Whale Island and towards East Cape.
This DOC directory entry covers Tirohanga Dunes Trail in Gisborne, within Ōpōtiki area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 20 km return via same track
- Walking time: 4 hr return
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
- Motu Road closed due to big slip; First published on 19 December 2025. Last reviewed on 6 October 2026.
Dog access
Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
Meandering over dunes and beach, the wide, packed-gravel trail is great for cycling, walking or running. With no hills above about 15 m, and plenty of places to access the beach, children love it. With the Pakihi Track and Motu Road, the Dunes Trail forms the Motu Trails, one of 22 Great Rides on The New Zealand Cycle Trail.
The Dunes Trail starts from Memorial Park Reserve, Ōpōtiki. It travels 10 km along the Pacific Ocean coast to Jackson Road, where the Motu Road Trail starts. Much of the Dunes Trail is about 2 m wide, undulating with easy gradients. Going the full 10 km you’ll have a total of about 100 m elevation gain and descent each way.
As you pass along the trail keep an eye out for the native flora and fauna. Since the trail was established in 2011, there have been numerous community planting days, restoring the natural dunes environment.
Getting there
There are multiple places to access the trail. Most people park at the start of the track at Memorial Park in Ōpōtiki, at Hukuwai Beach at 3 km, or at Tirohanga at 6 km. The eastern end of the trail is in the Tirohanga Conservation Reserve.
Ōpōtiki is about 40 min drive from Whakatane. Rotorua and Tauranga are about another hour away. Gisborne is about a 1hr 50 min drive from Ōpōtiki.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
