Kawau Island walks: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Take a walk to the remains of the coppermine engine house built in 1854. It was built to pump water from what is believed to be the first underground mining operation in New Zealand.

This DOC directory entry covers Kawau Island walks in Auckland, within Kawau Island Historic Reserve. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
• Walking time: 15 mins – 2 hours
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Beach access to Ladies Bay closed; First published on 12 June 2025. Last reviewed on 2 October 2026.

• Pest eradication for Kawau Island; First published on 2 March 2026. Last reviewed on 17 August 2026.

Dog access

No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Mansion House Gardens and beach

Explore the heritage gardens around Mansion House. Many plants were planted or are descended from plantings of earlier times. Explore the beach and rockpools at low tide.

View Point, Two House Bay Track

Time: 15 mins

This bay once had two cottages, built during the 1860s for Sir George Grey's estate manager and shepherd. One of the cottages remains today in modified form and is now the ranger's residence.

There is public access to the View Point which has a picnic table and a lovely view overlooking Mansion House Bay. Access over to Two House Bay is Staff only.

Ladys Bay

Time: 15 mins

The track leads to the end of a promontory with a good view of the mainland.

The beach access to Ladies Bay is closed.

At one time this beach was a ‘Ladies only’ swimming area.

Momona Point and Pā

This track leads to a former Pā site and to the end of a promontory with a good view of the mainland.

Coppermine Lookout

Time: Mansion House to Lookout 25 min one way

Take the track from Mansion House along the Coach road which gradually climbs to reach the Lookout.

Along the way you will see Ladys Bay on the right. The track passes through mature pine trees established during Sir George Grey's ownership of the island.

The lookout has a cleared grassy area suitable for picnics. It provides good views of the coppermine enginehouse remains, and a panorama which takes in Beehive, Moturekareka, Motuketekete, Motuora and other Gulf islands.

Coppermine Track and return

Mansion House to Lookout to Coppermine

Time: around 1 hour one way

Follow an old coach road built for Sir George Grey. A side track to the right takes you to a picnic area and lookout point where you can take in views of other Hauraki Gulf Islands. Return to the Coach Road and continue on the Coach Road to the Copper mine. Note the final section is steep and can be slippery when wet.

Coppermine round trip via Dispute Cove Coastal loop – low tide only

Mansion House – Coach Road – Dispute Cove Road – Dispute Cove – coast – Coppermine.

Time: around 1 hour one way

Take the track from Mansion House enjoy the views over Ladys Bay and continue on the Coach road. Take the Dispute Cove Road to Dispute Cove. There were once miners' cottages as well as a village and school here. At low tide follow the coastline to the Coppermine enginehouse. Once at the Coppermine you can return up the Coppermine Track. Alternatively return up Dispute Cove Road and continue on the Coppermine track route to the Coppermine.

Redwood Track – Closed

The Redwood Track is unmaintained and permanently closed due to the risk of tree and branches falling. It has a notable large redwood tree planted by Grey in 1864.

Brick house foundations near the top of the former track mark the dairy site and remains of two cottages associated with copper mining on the island in the 1840s and 1850s.

Schoolhouse Bay Road

Schoolhouse Bay – Lookout

Time: 35 min one way

Halfway up the Coach Road, passed the turn off to the lookout, is the junction to Schoolhouse Bay.

Along the way there is a short side track to a knoll with a small historic cemetery, the resting place of some early Kawau residents including copper miners and their families. Follow the road down the hill past private residences to reach Schoolhouse Bay wharf.

The bay is named after the school Sir George Grey had built for the children of his workers. The old schoolhouse, now much modified, can be seen from the wharf. It is privately owned and not open to the public.

Know before you go

• In windy conditions, the mature pine trees on all the tracks can fall or drop branches.

• Ensure you have plenty of time to complete your walk and catch the ferry.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.