Kawakawa Station

Established 1919

ADVENTURE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

THREE DAYS, ENDLESS VIEWS, A WALK THAT FEEDS THE SOUL

Discover Kawakawa Station, a private coastal walk where wild landscapes, hearty food, and warm hospitality come together. From rugged coastlines to ancient bush, from starry nights to hot showers, this is walking the way it should be.

INFORMATION

Welcome to one of Wairarapa’s best-kept secrets: the Kawakawa Station Walk. Over three unforgettable days, you’ll wander through a landscape as varied as it is breathtaking, from rugged coastline and crystal-clear streams, through bush-clad valleys alive with birdsong, up into sweeping high country with views across the Cook Strait and beyond.

This is a walk that fills your lungs, clears your head, and feeds your soul. You’ll hear the hush of ancient bush, the cry of native birds, and the crash of the ocean, and by night, the crackle of a fire, whilst you marvel at the brilliance of the stars. We are located right in the heart of the Dark Sky Reserve, which means our night sky is among the best places in the world to view the never-ending star-filled skies above. Carry only a day pack while we take care of the rest: hot showers, home baking, fresh sheets and towels every day, hearty dinners and chilled drinks.

We’ve been offering this walk on our farm since 2019 and love nothing more than sharing it. People who come here rave about it, and it’s something we get a real kick out of. As one past walker put it: “The walk gave us more than views — it gave us time to slow down, reconnect, and recharge.”  

DELICIOUS FOOD - AND PLENTY OF IT!

Walking builds an appetite, and we know how to feed hungry walkers! Our walk is fully catered, and the food is homemade, hearty, and plentiful, with plenty of baking to fuel the journey (and yes, we make enough for second helpings).

We source fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, and the menus change with the seasons. Many of our walkers tell us that our food is one of their absolute highlights.

We’ll provide tea and plunger coffee, and if you bring your own tipple, we’ll make sure it’s chilled and waiting for you.

Breakfast includes:

• Crunchy granola with creamy yoghurt

• Free-range eggs 

• Fruit, toast, preserves

• Fresh plunger coffee and tea

Packed lunches keep you fuelled for the trail, with:

• Crisp seasonal fruit

• Generous slices of fresh home baking

• Savoury snacks for a salty hit

• Fill-your-own wraps and sandwiches with plenty of fresh fillings

Dinners are a highlight, hearty, wholesome, and satisfying:

• The finest cuts of meat – farm-fresh lamb, chicken, and scotch fillet

• Colourful, freshly made salads and sides

• A decadent dessert every night 

We also happily cater for vegetarians and other special dietary requirements. Expect generous servings, and there are often leftovers for the next day! This is food that would make a musterer's lunch look light. 

“We never went hungry. In fact, we walked faster just to get to the next meal!” — Jess, 2024

LUGGAGE

You walk light, we carry heavy. All your bags (and yes, your beverages) will be transported between huts each day, so all you need is a day pack with a drink bottle, lunch, warm layers, and any personal bits and pieces. 

The Wairarapa weather can be changeable —so pack accordingly. We’ll make sure your cold drinks (be it wine, beer or soft drinks) are waiting eagerly in the fridge at the end of the day.

See the full gear list here.

ACCOMMODATION

Each lodging has its own story, its own unique charm, and all the comforts you need after a day on the trail. Hot showers, flushing toilets, comfortable beds, fresh sheets and towels every day — it’s walking made easy, and without compromise.

From shearers’ quarters with sea views, and a cabin perched above the clouds, to a hut tucked amongst ancient bush and birdsong, every night offers something different. After dinner and a few yarns around the fire, you’ll be ready for a great night’s sleep before you set off on another day of adventure.

SEASON & PRICING 25/26

The Kawakawa Station Walk runs from 1 October – 30 April each year. Adults: $900 NZD per person. Children: $750 NZD per person. This is exceptional value, including all meals, three nights’ accommodation, luggage transport, and an adventure you’ll never forget! Want to be part of the adventure but not up for the full walk? No problem! We can transport you between lodges so you can still enjoy the scenery, food, and hospitality alongside your group. Perfect for intergenerational groups or anyone nursing an injury.

The Station Walk Begins

Arrival – Night One: Farm Cottage

Your adventure begins at Farm Cottage, once the station’s shearers’ quarters, now a cosy beachside retreat with sea views and the Otakaha Stream at your door. Arrive from 3pm, settle in, stretch your legs, and enjoy a hearty station meal that will set the tone for the days ahead.

Your hosts, Rebecca & Iain, will welcome you shortly after your arrival. Find out more about Becs and Iain here

The road to Kawakawa is an amazing experience in itself. Want to make a day of it on your way here? Click here for our recommendations on where to stop on your way.

Walk Day One (11km, 4–5 hrs)

Ease into the journey with a walk along the rugged coastline before climbing ‘The Ant’ — 616m above sea level, a climb that rewards you with jaw-dropping 360° views across the Wairarapa and out to the South Island. Take your time — there are plenty of spots to pause, snack on some home baking, and soak it all in. You might even spot a whale breaching in the Cook Strait. The day ends with a downhill walk to Jakeb’s Cabin, where a hot shower, stunning views, and a hearty meal await.

Night Two: Jakeb’s Cabin

High on the station’s largest paddock (343 hectares), Jakeb’s Cabin often sits amongst the clouds. Aptly named after the biblical ‘Jacob’s Ladder - a ladder leading to heaven’, when you reach your destination, you’ll understand why.

With big bunk beds, hot showers, a separate kitchen, and a great communal area with a large table, comfy couches and a fire to gather around, it’s a place for sharing yarns and soaking in the views that stretch from bush to sea. 

“We sat outside with our wine and watched the waves crashing below us. Unforgettable.” — Chris, 2022

Walk Day Two (9km, 4–5 hrs)

Day two takes you along Double Saddle, an undulating bush track rich with ancient native forest. You’ll pass giant cabbage trees (tī kōuka), lancewood (horoeka) and tītoki groves, towering rewarewa, kahikatea, and many more. Hear kererū swooping overhead, and listen for the calls of shining cuckoos and tomtits. This is nature at its best. The bush clears in places to reveal views that will quite literally stop you in your tracks.

Night Three: Purple Hut

Nestled in native bush by the Otakaha Stream, Purple Hut - a converted army hut - is full of charm, offering all the creature comforts, coupled with the magic of being immersed in nature. Our boundary runs alongside the Aorangi Forest Park, which is the core of the World's 21st Dark Sky Reserve. This means you get to experience the magic of zero light pollution and the brightest of stars set amongst some of the most beautiful bush on Kawakawa Station. Here you’ll share a final dinner, dessert, and maybe a few laughs and stories about the highlights of the journey.

Walk Day Three (7km, 2.5–3 hrs)

A gentle finale. Your last day takes you on a picturesque journey back towards the homestead. Take your time over breakfast and soak up your surroundings, then make your way back at your own pace. Dip your toes (or dive right in!) at one of the swimming holes, enjoy the bush and crystal-clear streams, and take in the last of the scenery.

You’ll finish with a cuppa at the station (and you’re welcome to have a hot shower) before heading home — or perhaps onwards to a Martinborough winery lunch, or a round of coastal golf.

Want to extend the day? There are some great things to do in the area – from a winery lunch in Martinborough through to golf on the coast. Click here for suggestions of things to do on the way home.