Kawau Island Historic Reserve
Introduction
Visitors to Kawau Island have a wide range of activities to enjoy. Explore the historic reserve using the network of tracks or visit Mansion House and its exotic gardens, established by one of New Zealand’s most influential and controversial political figures, Sir George Grey. The island was also the site of one of New Zealand’s earliest mining ventures.
Location
Kawau lies north of Auckland in the Hauraki Gulf.
Getting there
Visitors arriving at Mansion House
wharf
The island is easily accessed by private boats, with a choice of safe anchorages in and close to Mansion House Bay.
Water taxis and ferries travel to Kawau Island daily from Sandspit Wharf near Warkworth, about one and a half hour's drive north of Auckland. Contact Reubens Water Taxis for more information, phone: +64 0800 111 616.
Features
Copper Mine, Kawau Bay
The Kawau Island Historic Reserve was created to protect Mansion House, Sir George Grey’s former home, and the gardens and landscape he created, together with sites and relics from the historic copper industry.
Today about 10 percent of the island is protected as publicly owned reserves managed by the Department of Conservation. The remainder of the island is privately owned with a small resident population.
Things to see and do
Activities
Historic sites
Tracks and walks
Walks range in length from half an hour to several hours duration, and are mostly easy walking and suitable for families. Many of the routes follow old nineteenth century paths originating from Mansion House Valley.
Plan and prepare
Refreshments
The Mansion House Cafe is open daily during holiday periods and weekends between Labour weekend (late October) and Queen's Birthday weekend (June). Cafe opening times vary. Check by ringing the cafe: phone +64 9 422 8903 or Mansion House: phone +64 9 422 8882.
Picnics
You are welcome to picnic on the reserve, there are outdoor tables in Mansion House Valley and further tables at strategic points in the reserve.
Looking after the reserve
- Do not bring dogs or other animals onto the historic reserve. These are a threat to the kiwi, weka and other protected wildlife.
- Do not light fires. They can easily get out of control and could devastate Mansion House and the forests in the reserve.
- Take your rubbish away with you. The reserve has no rubbish disposal facilities.
- Do not remove or disturb any artefacts or other historic remains.
- Do not camp in the historic reserve.
Non-compliance with these conditions may result in prosecution.
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