KAWAU ISLAND

Kawau Island – the jewel in the crown of the Hauraki Gulf. Cruise the beautiful bays, see historic landmarks, and observe the bird and marine life. Kawau Island is one of the largest islands in the Hauraki Gulf and is a short boat trip away from Sandspit. Even though it is short in distance, it is far enough away that the city feels like a distant memory. The crystal-clear waters provide a paradise for fishing and sailing with many sheltered anchorages for boaties.

Photo: Mansion House

Māori tribes abandoned Kawau Island in the 1880s, and the island then became a busy mining settlement. Sir George Grey purchased the island in 1862 and extended the former mine manager’s house into Mansion House. Sir George Grey was one of the first Governors of New Zealand. He introduced many species to the island, such as five different wallabies – four of which remain today. Today the Kawau Island Historic Reserve makes up 10% of the island and was created to protect the stately property and sub-tropical gardens that Sir George Grey developed. The fully restored Mansion House is open to the public and houses an impressive collection of antique furnishings. The gardens surrounding the property are a perfect place to stop for a picnic, making it one of the most popular spots on the island to visit. There is a café on-site and electric BBQ facilities available. You may even meet the two male in-house peacocks that wander the grounds, Solo and Two-Toes. There is a strict “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” policy as there is no rubbish collection on the island, so take everything you bring to the island back to the mainland with you.

Kawau is only accessible by water, so if you do not own a water vessel, you must catch a water taxi or ferry to get there. Leaving from Sandspit, you can catch a comfortable ferry up to five times a day – please confirm times on the website. One of the best ways to see all Kawau has to offer is to complete the Royal Mail Run. It is the largest mail run by water in the Southern Hemisphere. This trip invites you to sit back and relax ass your experienced and informative skipper guides you around over 75 wharfs delivering freight and mail to the island residents – don’t forget to keep an eye out for penguins and dolphins!

There are minimal roads on the island, so if you don’t have a boat to get to where you want to go, you will need to take one of the many walking tracks. Many of the most popular tracks start from Mansion House Bay; they range in length from 10mins through to a 2.5-hour round trip to the historic Coppermine. This stunning walk will escort you through native bush and past remote beaches to the remains of the old engine house. The water activities are endless on Kawau. With its myriad of small sheltered coves, there is ample opportunity to find a secluded bay and paddleboard to shore. Or drop a line over the side and try your luck at catching a snapper for dinner.

If you are planning on staying on Kawau, we suggest renting one of the many holiday homes that are available to rent. For large groups, there is the option of renting Camp Bentzon, located at North Cove. This accommodation sleeps up to 120 people and, during the week, is utilised by school camps but is often available for weekend hire. There are no supermarkets on the island, so ensure you stock up on groceries from the mainland before venturing. There are only three options for dining out on Kawau Island, and we highly recommend checking opening hours as they can vary depending on the season.

PAROHE ISLAND RETREAT

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Discover Parohe’s private natural wonderland with their signature wellness escape to reground the senses and uplift the soul. All packages include plant-based meals featuring organic ingredients from their garden, snacks, juices, luxury accommodation, yoga classes, as well as access to Parohe’s picturesque hiking trails, land and water activities, and wellness facilities. Book your wellness retreat with Parohe now! www.Parohe.co.nz | Rawinia@Parohe.co.nz