| |
New Zealand > Waikato
>
Kawhia
By Jessica Lloyd
The farming and fishing community is supported by Kawhia, a town of just 650
people on the west coast of New Zealand. Just over an hours drive from
Hamilton, Kawhia is an attraction in itself, but is also not too far from
quite a few other beautiful places. Tucked into a placid harbour, Kawhia is
isolated, with a sleepy air about it. With long stretches of sandy beaches,
rocky shores and hot springs, Kawhia is a diverse environment which caters
to a wide range of human and wildlife activities. Most of all, it is a place
to relax and unwind. Kawhia is the final spiritual resting place of Tainui,
and the ancestral waka (canoe).
Things to do in Kawhia
Sit in your own self-dug hot pool in the black sand on Ocean Beach. Te Puia
Springs bubble up here through the sand. Gather shellfish at low tide, or go
deep-sea fishing further out. All water activities are encouraged here apart
from surfing – there is none. There is a Kai (Maori food) Festival, and in
January, watch the five-oared, 11 metre long whaleboats compete in the
regattas with three of the original boats from the 1800’s. With bushwalks,
water sports, hot springs, eels and horse treks at the disposal of visitors
it would be hard to have a bad time here.
Getting There
Self Drive - Tour
Less than an hours drive from Hamilton,
Raglan or Te Awamutu.
|
|
|
|
