The Motutara Recreation Reserve is on the south eastern boundary of the Motutara Farm and provides 360° stunning views. Woolleys Bay and Sandy Bay to the south, Elizabeth Reef and the Poor Knight Islands to the East and in the distance to the north Cape Brett, the southern entrance to the Bay of Islands. Take the family for a walk to the Lagoon at the end of the Motutara Reserve, don’t forget the snorkeling gear, or a picnic and a swim at Toki’s beach. The Whananaki Estuary is great for swimming, sailing and water skiing [at high tide]. Spend the day in a kayak exploring the extensive mangrove forest at the top end.

The Longest Footbridge in the southern hemisphere bisects the estuary and connects Whananaki North to Whananaki South. Take a walk across the bridge to the Whananaki South and explore the sandspit between the estuary and the ocean and beach comb Long Beach. For the more energetic do the day walk to Sandy Bay and back following the marked walking track. The Whananaki coastline is a feast of beautiful sandy beach’s and deserted coves ideal for exploring by boat or kayak or a short walk from your vehicle.   Fishing and diving is a recreation enjoyed successfully by many on this coast. There is good boat launching in the estuary and plenty of scope for shore based fishing.  Elizabeth Reef is an exposed reef about 1 kilometre off the coast, this reef always has fishing potential.