Opua Forest
Opua Forest is a 1,924 ha block sitting right behind the Bay of Islands coast in eastern Northland. Elevations run from 2 m near the coast up to 222 m with a median of just 70 m, making this the lowest-elevation hunting country you will find in Northland.
Aspect leans east, with strong shares also facing north, north-east and south-east — warm, sunny coastal faces. The block carries dense subtropical coastal bush including pockets of mature kauri.
Game on the permit is wild goat and wild pig. Easy access from the Bay of Islands makes this a popular weekend block.
Open Opua Forest on the interactive map
Boundary, huts, terrain, tracks and 1080 zones — all layers, one map.
Terrain & elevation
Based on a sample of 4,946 DEM points inside the block.
- Elevation range
- 2–222 m
- Median elevation
- 70 m
- Middle 50%
- 46–97 m
- Above bushline (1,200 m)
- 0%
- Alpine (1,500 m+)
- 0%
- Dominant aspect
- east-facing
2–222 m, lowland / foothill country, leaning east-facing.
What you can hunt here
Access & getting there
Air access is permitted on the block, though the low elevation and proximity to settlement mean most hunters walk in from road edges. There are no DOC huts or campsites listed inside the forest.
Permits & rules
You need a DOC hunting permit to hunt this block. It is classed as a Ordinary block in the Northland reserves permit area, with a hunting status of Permitted.
This block sits within a DOC air-access zone — fly-in hunting and helicopter drop-offs may be permitted.
A DOC hunting permit is required through the Northland reserves permit area. The block is Ordinary with Permitted hunt status. Opua is in active kauri-dieback country — confirm hygiene requirements with DOC and follow track cleaning protocols.
1080 & pesticide status
- Pesticide (1080 or similar) has been laid in or near this block — check current dog and carcass restrictions before you hunt.
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