Kawakawa

Kawakawa stands out for two distinctive features: the Hundertwasser Public Toilets and the railway that runs through the middle of the main street. There is also a historic station building and a train ride that passes farmland, rivers and native wetlands. If you are looking for a holiday destination with architecture, local history and an unusual railway line, you can weigh up these different aspects when deciding on Kawakawa.

Hundertwasser’s architecture in the town centre

The Hundertwasser Public Toilets were built in 1999 in the centre of Kawakawa, on State Highway 1. They are the only public building in New Zealand designed by Hundertwasser with the artist and architect directly involved in its design. Recycled materials and a green roof are among the building’s specific features. For travellers interested in architecture, Kawakawa therefore offers a clearly defined destination and more than just a reference to the artist’s name: the choice of materials and roof design are also distinctive features of the building.

Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park offers a different focus. It is a community and visitor centre that celebrates the connection between artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Kawakawa. Alongside the building itself, the relationship between the artist and the town, as well as a community-oriented visitor centre, are also at the heart of the experience. Architecture enthusiasts can take both aspects into account when choosing what to do during their trip.

Railway history and a ride through Kawakawa

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway offers a two-hour train ride through Kawakawa on State Highway 1 towards Opua. Along the way, the train passes farmland, rivers and native wetlands, and crosses the longest curved wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. The route thus combines a visit to the town with a train journey, offering specific points of interest in both the landscape and a remarkable railway structure.

The station also tells the story of Kawakawa’s railway history. The historic station building dates from March 1911. Kawakawa Station is a Class B Troup station building, largely preserved in its original condition. It stands at the western end of Kawakawa’s historic main street, where the railway runs through the middle of the street towards Opua. The journey and the building offer different ways to explore railway history: the route through the town on one hand, and a station with preserved historic fabric on the other.

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway’s return journey runs from Kawakawa Station to the platform at Whangae Tunnel. This is an additional specific detail to help with planning your trip. If you are travelling with your family, you can weigh up your interest in Hundertwasser’s architecture, the historic station building and the train ride. These experiences have different focuses, and you do not have to limit yourself to just one of them.

Information for your stay

Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park also has parking spaces for freedom camping, a shower accessible around the clock and a toilet block for campers and cyclists. These facilities offer practical information for travellers with campers and for cyclists. The park thus combines its role as a community and visitor centre with the facilities mentioned for these visitor groups.

If you choose Kawakawa as your destination, you can focus your search on a holiday rental in the town.

More destinations

If you would like to consider destinations beyond Kawakawa, you can also find Taipa-Mangonui, Opua, Russell, Kaitaia, Te Kao, Broadwood, Paihia and Ahipara here.

For the broader travel overview: Far North District.