Discover Waikouaiti

Waikouaiti brings nature and history together in a vivid way: Hawksbury Lagoon provides habitat for ducks and native birds, while the Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre and historic sites offer insights into the region’s past. There is also a golf course among the local attractions. You can plan your trip around whether you prefer spending time outdoors, are interested in history or want to fit in a round of golf.

Hawksbury Lagoon and the waterside track

Hawksbury Lagoon in Waikouaiti is a wildlife sanctuary. At different times of year, large numbers of birds use the lagoon as a stopover on their migration route or for nesting. Ducks and native birds find habitat there. Those especially interested in nature and birdlife will find a different focus here from the town’s historic attractions.

The Hawksbury Track begins at the beach near Beach Street. It first follows the beach, then heads upriver to the lagoon. It then runs along causeways around and across the lagoon before returning to Beach Street. The route described therefore links the beach and lagoon in a loop. Dogs are not allowed at Hawksbury Lagoon; if you’re travelling with a dog, bear this restriction in mind when planning your day.

Regional history at the museum and church

The Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre is a regional museum with a collection of more than 19,000 objects. Those interested in the area’s history can combine a visit to the museum with a personalised genealogy research service. Tours of the former BNZ bank building are also available. The collection, family history research and tour of the former bank building offer different ways to explore regional history.

Another historic landmark is the Anglican Church of St John the Evangelist in Waikouaiti. It opened in 1858 and is thought to be the first Anglican church built in Otago and Southland. The qualification “thought to be the first” is part of its historical description: the church is not stated definitively to be the first. For a trip focused on settlement history and regional heritage, it adds a specific church building to the themes explored at the museum.

Matanaka Farm and early settlement

Matanaka Farm lies north of Waikouaiti and is accessible via State Highway 1. Dating from around 1840, it is considered Otago’s oldest farm. It is also said to include some of New Zealand’s oldest surviving farm buildings. The farm sits on a headland overlooking Waikouaiti—a distinctive location that also sets the historic site apart in the landscape.

The surviving outbuildings include a stable, a granary, a schoolhouse and a three-seater privy. These different buildings offer tangible insights into the features of a historic farm, rather than telling its story through a single farmhouse. Waikouaiti’s early settlement is also associated with the year 1840: at that time, Jones encouraged families from Sydney, Australia, to move to Waikouaiti. This was the first organised settlement on the South Island’s east coast.

Golf and location for your trip

Waikouaiti Golf Course is a 9-hole course. There are different tees for the second round. If golf is one of your travel interests, this course layout offers a clear distinction between the first and second rounds. Nature, regional history and golf are three different reasons to consider Waikouaiti as a destination.

Waikouaiti lies north of Dunedin on State Highway 1. Its location on this road may factor into your choice of holiday base, whether you’re making Waikouaiti your destination or want to explore places along your route. A holiday rental in Waikouaiti is an option to consider for a stay centred on the lagoon, local history or the golf course; which of these experiences matters to you will shape your trip.

More places to discover: Mosgiel, Hyde, Waitati, Port Chalmers, Warrington, Middlemarch, Brighton and Dunedin.

See the wider travel guide: Dunedin City.