Discover Kawerau District
Accommodation in Kawerau District
Riverside scenery, walking trails, swimming options and a museum about local history give a stay in Kawerau District a range of different highlights. In the town of Kawerau, you can explore the town’s history, follow trails by the water or spend time at a swimming facility. The Tarawera River also shapes the experience: it flows through Kawerau and offers both a section with rapids and trails along its banks.
Tarawera River: whitewater and riverside trail
The Tarawera River has Grade 2 and 3 rapids. A navigable section runs from about 10 km below Tarawera Falls to Kawerau. The approximate distance and grade describe this section of the river; they provide a separate point of reference for anyone interested in an active experience on the water. Kawerau also has a purpose-built whitewater slalom course. It was recently upgraded with a spectator path and an electronic timing system.
If you would rather experience the river from its banks, the Tarawera River Walk offers another option: the trail passes through reserves along the Tarawera River, from Boyce Park to Waterhouse Street Bridge. The river experience can therefore be combined with a specific walking route with named endpoints. The Tarawera River and Forest Walk in Kawerau also passes through native bush and forest, with views of the river along the way. The two walks offer different highlights: one passes through reserves between two named points, while the other features bush, forest and river views.
Trails through green spaces and beside streams
The Ruruanga Stream Walk combines a streamside trail with grassy banks that provide picnic spots and attract birds, including tuis. The Ruruanga Stream, which the trail follows, is regularly stocked with trout and is a popular swimming spot. This location therefore offers different activities side by side: walking, birdwatching, fishing and swimming. The Stoneham Walk, meanwhile, passes the picturesque Stone Bridge and offers another walk featuring a striking structure along the way.
Monika Lanham Reserve has a range of trails with walking times of 30 minutes to 1 hour. These time estimates can help you decide how much time to set aside for a walk. As a landmark in the landscape, Putauaki, also known as Mount Edgecumbe, lies three kilometres east of Kawerau. The dacite volcanic cone rises 820 metres above sea level. Kawerau is also the gateway to Tarawera Falls and the lake.
Local history and swimming options
Sir James Fletcher Kawerau Museum is located in the Kawerau District Library at Jellicoe Court. It holds and displays a wide range of material about Kawerau’s history. If you would like to include the town’s history in your stay alongside nature and river experiences, you’ll find a distinct cultural highlight here.
Maurie Kjar Aquatic Centre is a free, family-friendly facility in Kawerau. Its five pools include a 25-metre main pool and a spa pool for 40 people; there is also a paddling pool and an inflatable jumping pillow. The range of pools and activities makes the centre a different kind of water experience from the Tarawera River: here, swimming, paddling and the spa pool take centre stage rather than a river route or riverside trail.
Plan your stay around what suits you
When choosing a holiday home in Kawerau District, it may be important to consider whether you would rather spend your days on trips to Tarawera Falls and the lake, or exploring Kawerau itself.
For the wider travel overview: Bay Of Plenty.
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