Kakanui: Coast, Geology and Kāi Tahu Traditions

Along Kakanui’s coast, long stretches of beach, cliffs and river landscapes meet traces of Kāi Tahu history. Campbells Bay is the town’s main beach: it lies south of the headland and is 2 km long. Between the surf, more sheltered areas and the Kakanui River, you’ll find different options for days by the sea and exploring inland.

Beach, cliffs and coastal walk

Campbells Bay offers surf suitable for surfing and a safe swimming beach. All Day Bay forms the southern end of Campbells Bay; it is often more sheltered there, with smaller waves. This gives you two distinct coastal settings to choose from.

The geology also makes Campbells Bay special: an impressive sequence is visible here, where the Ototara Limestone slopes down towards the beach. The holes in the limestone outcrop are tunnels made by shrimp, which were further eroded and enlarged about 30 million years ago. Here, you can experience the landscape and discover its geological history at the same time.

A walking track runs along the northern coastal cliffs between the village of Kakanui and Catseye Point, a Department of Conservation reserve on the North Otago coast. The coastal walk forms a loop from the village to the headland and back via Kakanui Beach. Along the track, the coastal trap, extended up to the cliffs, helps protect the nesting sites of gulls and shags from introduced predators.

The Kakanui River: Nature and Tradition

The Kakanui River physically divides the settlement in two. The Kakanui Estuary, the river and the surrounding coastal area are used for water-based recreation, fishing and birdwatching. The mouth of the Kakanui River is also a popular spot for whitebait fishing. Hector’s dolphins are often seen off Kakanui’s beaches.

The mouth of the Kakanui River has long been significant to Kāi Tahu whānui as an ancient pā site and a traditional food-gathering place. Foods traditionally gathered there included weka, tuna (eels), tutu and kōareare, the edible root of raupō. Kāi Tahu whānau continue the food-gathering traditions at the river mouth. Middens and other artefacts in Kakanui show that Kāi Tahu previously used the site temporarily while travelling north and south.

There is parking, public toilets and a playground at the river mouth. Check the information about these facilities before your trip.

Architecture and local character

Kakanui’s history includes the former Kakanui Presbyterian Church, a rare example of a timber church designed by prominent Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson. It adds an architectural dimension to the coastal experiences.

The surrounding vegetable gardens also shape the town: they produce large quantities of vegetables, which can be bought at roadside stalls. When looking for a hotel in Kakanui, consider which focus you want for your trip—beaches and surf, the coastal walk, geological formations, or nature and history along the river.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Moeraki, Deborah, Duntroon, Windsor, Black Point, Waianakarua, Hampden and Herbert.

For the main travel overview: Waitaki District.