Location

Ohope is a small and peaceful township located on the eastern coast of the Bay of Plenty, just a short drive over the hill from Whakatane. It is nestled along a beautiful stretch of beach and offers a relaxing atmosphere with its charming cafes and art galleries. While there is a foursquare in Ohope, you will need to travel to Whakatane for a larger supermarket, which is a 15-minute drive away. Ohope is an idyllic destination for those looking to unwind and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

Pets/House

During this one and a half week house sit, we had the honor of looking after two lovely dogs - Mouse, an adorable yorkshire terrier and Geroge, a gentle and affectionate bearded collie. Mouse is the cutest little dog we have ever seen and and we fell in love with her immediately. She is so small that walking on the grass was a bit of a challenge for her, so she enjoyed being picked up and carried. On our walks, she always stayed close to us, checking each second to make sure we were still with her. At the house, Mouse loved to hide, and her small size meant it sometimes took a little while to find her as she fits into many tiny spaces. George has such a soft and caring personality. She is a very calm dog and loves to be close to people. Wherever we were in the house she would always come and sit near, almost as if she was watching over us. As George is a rescue dog, she doesn’t like to eat her food in front of people, so she always waited until we had left the room or took her food outside to eat. The house itself had a lovely coastal design and feel to it. It was a spacious four bedroom house with the kitchen opening out onto the back deck which gave it a good flow. They had a pool and tennis court that we thoroughly enjoyed and the property backed onto the harbour, providing a stunning view.

What We Did

Although Ohope does not have too much to do, it is certainly the perfect destination for a relaxed beachside getaway. We loved walking along the beach, admiring the mesmerizing waves and beautiful sunsets, which painted the sky with dashing colours of pinks, purples, and yellows.

The homeowners kindly offered us the use of their stand-up paddleboards and surfboards so we took the paddle boards down to the harbour which was conveniently at the back of their property. Paddling around the harbor while taking in the picturesque views was a delightful experience. James even tried out surfing, however the waves weren’t particularly big but he enjoyed being out in the ocean.

We were lucky enough to get amazing weather during our stay, so our days were mostly spent lounging by the pool, playing tennis, or walking the dogs along the beach. We had an unforgettable time, and we highly recommend visiting Ohope for a tranquil and rejuvenating holiday.