"Kawakawa Bay is perfect for swimming, fishing and boating. It offers spectacular views of Hauraki Gulf Islands and is lined with Kawakawa trees. These trees are sacred to the M?ori and thought of as the pharmacy of the forest. Kawa translates to bitter and the trees leaves, though medicinal, are said to be quite bitter.

The Hunua Ranges is south of the beach. Park facilities include campgrounds, picnic area, drinking fountain, pram access, parking and limited mobility toilets. Activities include wild life watching, fishing, biking, horse riding, swimming and exploring at Hunua Falls. Water is the main resource taken from the Ranges with 4 water supply dams including the 169 hectare Mangatangi Reservoir. This is New Zealand's largest water supply dam, holding 37 million cubic meters of water.

Surprisingly, the main attraction of Kawakawa are the Hundertwasser Toilets. Built in 1999, this was the Austrian artist / architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser last completed work and only project designed by him in the southern hemisphere. The building is typical of his work and is made of recycled materials. He ensured that vegetation removed for construction needed to be replanted on the buildings green roof.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Kawakawa Bay and 8,000 other beaches.