Kawau Island

Kawau Island is a nature enthusiast's haven steeped in history. Start your day with a visit to Governor Grey’s “gentleman’s estate”. Built in 1845, the mansion was once a meeting place for politicians and royalty. Today, it’s open to the public for a fee of $10. Its Italianate gardens and adjacent reserve have a resident population of peacocks, wekas, and wallabies. For a bite to eat, stop by the Mansion House Cafe, open daily during holiday periods, or the recently renovated bistro at the Kawau Boating Club, reopening in October 2023. 

After soaking in some history, explore the island by foot, as most trails conveninetly start by the Mansion House. The Coach Road trail is a great place to start. Branch off onto the Ladys Bay track, which leads to a former “ladies only” swimming area, or continue to a lookout with stunning panoramic views of the old coppermine enginehouse and surrounding islands. If you want to get up close to the old mines, follow Coach Road until you reach the Coppermine track. The entire route takes about an hour one way. 

The clear blue waters of the Hauraki Gulf offer plenty of activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing if you have the gear to hand. There are also cruise options including the popular Royal Mail Cruise departing from Sandspit, which winds around over 75 different wharfs, often meeting penguins and dolphins along the way. 

After a day of exploring, catch the ferry back to Sandspit or stay longer on the island. There are plenty of accommodation options available on the island's website, Book a Bach or Airbnb, as well as the Parohe Island Retreat, which offers accommodation with outdoor baths and a sauna, and all-inclusive packages ranging from two to five nights with yoga and workshops.