Okato: Walking Tracks, Forest and Swimming Pool

If you’re looking for a hotel in Okato, you can get a sense of the destination from its distinct features: these include walking tracks and forest, an outdoor swimming pool, and local connections to culture and food. Other places to visit are in the wider New Plymouth District destination. This distinction helps you include local highlights and regional destinations separately in your travel plans.

Walking Tracks and Nature in Okato

Access to the Puniho Track to Kahui Hut is via Wiremu Road from Puniho Road in Okato. If you’re considering this route in your travel plans, access is via these two named roads. The Stony River (Hangatahua) Walkway offers another perspective on the landscape. It passes through lowland forest consisting mainly of kohekohe and kawakawa. If you pay attention to your surroundings along a track, this gives you a concrete impression of the vegetation that characterises the walkway.

The two tracks offer different points of interest: the Puniho Track focuses on access to Kahui Hut, while the Stony River Walkway highlights the landscape along the route. This information can help you consider the local tracks according to whether you’re more interested in a route to a named destination or the character of the forest.

Swimming, Local Connections and a Dated Award

Ōkato Pool has a 25 m outdoor swimming pool with six lanes, as well as a toddler pool. If you’re planning a day of swimming, check the current opening hours beforehand. The information about the pools and lanes also gives you a clear picture of the facility’s amenities.

The remains of Ngaweka Pa are located in the bushland of Ōkato Domain. Another local connection is Ōkato Fish n Chips: in 2019, the business received the national title for the best fries in Aotearoa. The year relates to this award, making it a specific detail about the area with a clear date.

Destinations in the Wider New Plymouth District

There are also a range of places to visit in the wider New Plymouth District destination, beyond Okato’s local attractions. The Coastal Walkway is a 13.2 km path along the coast. It stretches from Pioneer Park at Port Taranaki to the eastern side of Bell Block Beach. A section from the Waiwhakaiho River to the car park on Smeaton Road provides access to Te Rewa Rewa Bridge.

Puke Ariki Museum has three permanent exhibition galleries about the region’s history, taonga and natural world. Entry to all areas is free; check the latest admission information before your visit. Another option is the Puke Ariki Historic Walk: the guided tour goes through central New Plymouth, lasts two hours and is about 3 km long. If you include this tour in your plans, check the latest dates and booking requirements beforehand. The museum and guided walk differ in both subject matter and the time required.

Brooklands Zoo is home to capuchin monkeys, meerkats, parrots and tortoises, among other animals. Keeper talks take place twice daily on weekends and during school holidays, at 12 pm and 2 pm. Check the latest times before your visit. The zoo can be reached on foot from central New Plymouth through Pukekura Park; alternatively, access is via Brooklands Park Drive.

The interpretation trail at Pukerangiora Pā is an easy loop around the pā site. Wide views from the cliff-top lookout and archaeological features are among the trail’s highlights. Waitara Marine Park has a different connection to the landscape: it is located where the Waitara River meets the sea. The district therefore offers both a loop trail with views and archaeological features, and a park at a river mouth.

Discover more destinations: Kakaramea, Omata, Waitara, Waiongana

Back to the regional travel overview: Taranaki.