OPUNAKI Opunaki is the surf ‘capitol’ of the Surf Highway. Opunaki deserves this well earned title. A great beach and a town that is able to provide the essential services; plus a bit of interesting athletic history. Opunake is the centre for the local dairy industry, and is also an increasingly popular tourist spot. Property prices suggest a healthy level of demand. Opunaki is midway between Hawera and New Plymouth and is a small town. That said the cliff top views to the south and the views of Mt Taranaki or a to the north make for a quite delightful double. The town was settled in the 1880s. It was firstly intended to be a major port, but other than a jetty constructed in 1891, little construction was completed. New Plymouth and Wanganui had both determined a port future by the 1880’s. A statue of long distance record holder Peter Snell was unveiled on Saturday 19 May 2007 to celebrate the fame of this son of Opunake. The Anglican Church is a heritage building. The Opunaki War Memorial is clearly located to give the spirits a view of the sea. The two Opunaki hotels are ‘old’ and have been serving the locals and visitors for over a hundred years between them. The Murals in the town are becoming iconic as time progresses. Opunaki deserves a really good look over. If not a stay at the Holiday Park. The Park has the best position in town.