Waikawau Tunnel Beach

Tucked away, down a short side road between Awakino and Marokopa, is a picturesque bay and the settlement of Waikawau. A narrow gravel road skirts the bay and reveals a tunnel dug through the rock cliff. 

Constructed by three brothers with picks and shovels in 1911 to allow the movement of cattle along the beach to and from Nukuhakare Station, the approximately 50-metre-long tunnel now provides one of the few public access points to a secluded section of the west coast between Awakino and Marokopa.

Wildlife: 0

Scenic: 1

History / Points of interest: 1

Quiet / Relaxed: 1
Visit again:1

Smiles per Hour rating: 4

Side notes: The tide reaches the seaward end of the tunnel at high tide.

A modern composting toilet is situated at the carpark enterance to the tunnel.

As seen on our Roadtrip 2.0 episode on Youtube.