Hawksbury Lagoon gives Waikouaiti a strong connection to nature, while the Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre and St John the Evangelist tell different parts of the town’s history. A 9-hole golf course adds another option. Waikouaiti lies north of Dunedin on State Highway 1. When looking for a holiday rental, you can first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.
Birdlife and the Hawksbury Walk
Hawksbury Lagoon in Waikouaiti is a wildlife refuge and provides a habitat for ducks and native birds. At different times of year, large numbers of birds use the lagoon as a stopover on their migration route or for breeding. Which of these roles is most relevant to your wildlife watching depends on the season of your trip.
The Hawksbury Walk starts at the beach on Beach Street, follows the beach at first, then heads upriver to the lagoon. It then follows causeway tracks around the lagoon and back to Beach Street. Dogs are not allowed at Hawksbury Lagoon, so bear this in mind if you are travelling with a dog.
Local history at the museum and St John
The Waikouaiti Coast Heritage Centre is a regional museum with a collection of more than 19,000 objects. Visitors interested in family history can also use its personalised genealogical research service. The extensive collection and targeted research offer two different ways to explore the area’s history.
The centre also offers tours of the former BNZ bank building. As tour arrangements may change, it is advisable to check with the centre beforehand. The Anglican church of St John the Evangelist in Waikouaiti opened in 1858. It is thought to be the first Anglican church built in Otago and Southland.
Matanaka Farm and the history of settlement
Nearby, Matanaka Farm lies north of Waikouaiti and can be reached via State Highway 1. Dating from around 1840, the farm is Otago’s oldest and is said to include some of New Zealand’s oldest surviving farm buildings. It stands on a headland overlooking Waikouaiti. Its surviving outbuildings include a stable, a granary, a schoolhouse and a three-seater privy. Its significance is evident in two ways: as Otago’s oldest farm and through buildings said to be among New Zealand’s oldest surviving farm buildings.
The year 1840 is also an important reference point in Waikouaiti’s settlement history: that year, Jones encouraged families from Sydney to move to Waikouaiti. Their arrival was the first organised settlement on the east coast of the South Island. This history adds context to the farm dating from around 1840 without conflating the two accounts into a single event.
Golf as another activity
The Waikouaiti Golf Course on Edinburgh Street offers a different focus from the lagoon and local history. The course has nine holes, with different tees for the second round. This gives trip planners a concrete detail beyond the number of holes, as well as the described variation between rounds.
Discover more destinations: Warrington, Hyde, Mosgiel, Port Chalmers, Waitati, Dunedin, Brighton, Middlemarch.
For the broader travel overview: Dunedin City.
