Things to do in Omaha
In the Maori language, ‘Omaha’ translates to ‘place of pleasure’. So, it’s no surprise that Omaha is full of stunning natural scenery, restaurants and activities that are bound to bring you joy!
Home to Auckland’s premier white sandy surf beach, a trail of superb vineyards, a great art scene, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, bowling greens, cycling tracks and a local café whose coffee is so good, it’s worth the journey out to Omaha for a cuppa alone.
To help you plan your next holiday to Omaha, we’ve put together a guide to help you maximize your holiday!
Where is Omaha?
Omaha is located just 55 minutes north of the Auckland CBD. Omaha sits on a sandpit that is adjoined to Tawharanui Peninsula, the nearest town being Warkworth, which is only 15 km away. Omaha borders the ‘Matakana Wine Country’ – which consists of 15 Kiwi vineyards. But we’ll get more into the must-do wine sipping in a moment!
What to do in Omaha?
1. First, relax.
Omaha is home to Tawharanui Regional Park, which is one of Auckland’s best-kept secrets. Immaculate sandy bays, fun surf and safe swimming spots, you’re in for an absolute stunner of a day here. There are grassy areas that provide shade under the Pohutukawa trees, along with plenty of room to enjoy a slice of the white sand if you’re wanting to soak up some vitamin D. For those looking to do a bit of active adventure, there’s an ecology trail that will take you up the surrounding hills and forests to one of the most panoramic lookouts in the entire region. But Omaha Beach is equally as special and requires less of a drive. For those wanting a shorter commute to a white sandy paradise, Omaha Beach is your go-to.
2. Then, get cultured.
Omaha has quite the art scene. Adding to the range of galleries available for you to roam is the Sculptureum, which consists of three sculpture gardens and six art galleries spanning over 1.5km. This private collection boasts over 700 pieces of art by both local and international talent. We promise there will be a piece of inspiration for everyone in the group. You’ll be pleased to know there’s also a vineyard on-site… sip on a glass of wine and soak in the views (and culture). You’ll want at least two to three hours to experience it all!
3. Indulge in splendid food
One of Omaha’s most cherished local gems is The Farmer’s Daughter. This beautiful café is quite unpronounced, sitting just off the main road and a favourite every day from 10AM-3PM. But don’t let the simplistic exterior deceive you. Their sustainably focused menus bring a range of local beers, healthy smoothies, home-made baked goods and barista coffee so good it could easily be used as your main reason for wanting to visit Omaha in the first place! Equally as charming is The Stables Restaurant, a homestyle country fare that focuses on using fresh flavours and local produce. Only open for dining Friday and Saturday from 4PM to late and Sunday from 12PM-3PM, you’ll want to plan your holiday itinerary around being able to dine here.
4. Lastly, explore wine country
As mentioned earlier, Omaha sits on the cusp of Matakana Wine Country. So naturally, you need to experience all 15 vineyards! But if time is pressing, make sure to at least pay a visit to the Omaha Bay Vineyard. Offering incredible views of Omaha Beach and Little Barrier Island in the distance, this old-school vineyard gives patrons a wonderful wine tasting experience which is best accompanied by their delectable cheese board every Wednesday to Sunday from 11AM-5PM. Do we really need to convince you more?
Excited to visit? Check out our Omaha holiday homes and start planning your next long weekend now!
