Discover Kawakawa: Hundertwasser and railway history

Between Hundertwasser’s architectural creations and railway history, Kawakawa reveals two unusual sides of the town: a public building that Hundertwasser directly helped design, and a railway line that runs through the middle of the historic main street. This gives you a practical starting point for planning your trip. You can focus on architecture and local history, or include Kawakawa as part of your exploration of the wider destination of the Far North District.

Hundertwasser shapes the townscape

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 in which the artist and architect was directly involved in the design. Recycled materials and a planted roof are among the building’s distinctive features. Here, a precise year of construction, the designer’s direct involvement and specific architectural details come together. If you are interested in architecture, Kawakawa offers a distinctive point of interest for your visit.

Te Hononga Hundertwasser Memorial Park is a community and visitor centre that celebrates the connection between the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Kawakawa. It provides another local way to explore that connection, alongside the architecture. The park in central Kawakawa has Freedom Camping sites for campers and cyclists, a 24-hour shower and a toilet block. Check details about these facilities before your trip.

Railway history in the heart of town

The railway is also part of Kawakawa’s streetscape. The historic railway station building dates from March 1911, belongs to the Troup Class B type and has been largely preserved in its original condition. It stands at the western end of the historic main street, where the railway line towards Opua runs through the middle of the road. Together, the station, tracks and main street create a distinctive connection between architectural and transport history in the townscape.

The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway offers a two-hour train ride through Kawakawa towards Opua. Along the way, you pass farmland, rivers and native wetlands; the line also crosses the longest curved wooden bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. This railway experience connects the station’s history with the landscape and bridge engineering. The return journey runs from Kawakawa station to the platform at Whangae Tunnel. Timetables and operating days vary seasonally; check departure details before your trip.

More to explore in the Far North District

Elsewhere in the wider Far North District destination, other distinct themes complement Kawakawa’s local and railway character. The Te Paki Coastal Track offers views of the northern coastline, regenerating bush and vast wind-sculpted sand dunes. You can walk the entire track or selected sections; there are four campsites along the route. So, alongside Kawakawa’s architectural and railway history, coastal scenery and hiking offer separate options for your trip.

Historic architecture also takes different forms across the Far North District. In Mangonui, the former Courthouse is a well-preserved late-19th-century courthouse built in 1892. It is considered an unusually intact small courthouse of national significance. The Stone Store in Kerikeri offers a different perspective: built between 1832 and 1836, it is New Zealand’s oldest intact stone building and oldest surviving warehouse.

If you would also like to include coastal scenery, walks or historic sites elsewhere, plan around the wider Far North District. Tailor your search to the kind of trip you want to experience.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Okaihau, Ahipara, Kaitaia, Te Kao, Russell, Waimate North, Broadwood, Te Tii.

For the wider travel overview: Far North District.