
Vacation rentals in Kawhia
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Top-rated vacation rentals in Kawhia
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Other great vacation rentals in Kawhia

Gods Rock Cabin - a unique experience
Absolutely amazing! We loved every minute! We didn’t want to leave! Thank you so much for the most amazing place we have stayed in nz! Absolute privilege to be able to stay at such a beautiful place! Thank you so much for your efforts! A+++

Private Luxury Glamping Tent with Hot Tub Waitomo
The best Airbnb we have stayed in. Spectacular views and location. The tent was clean, warm, and beautifully designed. Emily and family were thoughtful host. Highly recommend!!!

Hilltop Haven - off-the-grid Retreat!
the sun was going down as we arrived so we didn’t get to look around much before loading up the wood burner and enjoying a cosy night in. whole different story in the morning - our hosts took us through native bush and fruiting tamarillo shrubs to try some archery … in the general direction … of targets tucked into the bush. we had a lovely stay, highly recommend.

Raglan Rural Retreats - The Homestead
Perfect retreat for a special family celebration. Hosts super responsive to any questions. Beautiful breakfast and a bottle of wine provided. Not asked for but very welcome gesture. House had ample room for 12 of us. A great time was had by all. Plus they have Alpacas! Too good

The Rimu Hut: Luxury riverside and off-grid
Absolutely LOVED our stay here! The setting is stunning, the hut is super cosy and cute, and the surroundings are beautiful for exploring. The wood-fired bath was fantastic too on the clear crisp evenings. Desperate to come back again!

Off-Grid Cabin (pet friendly)
We treasured our stay in Kawhia. This is off the beaten path, wonderful for people who appreciate nature and authenticity. The home is beautiful with lovely view and surrounding bush- lots of birds. Host was incredibly responsive, and her recommendations and warm family are what made our stay truly memorable. We felt very welcomed. This is a gorgeous, special area, and the only thing we would have changed would be to stay longer. Of note, if coming from overseas without knowing New Zealand roads, we wouldn’t want to drive this far from the airport on day 1 of travel if poor weather (mountain roads) or after dark. We were lucky with great sunshine and my partner is an experienced driver.

The Gannet Hatch, Aotea Harbour
Our family had the most spectacular first holiday together. The property was beautiful and the views from each window were breathtaking. We are so grateful for the opportunity to book such a beautiful place to spend some time in the fresh air. Would definitely recommend this place. Thanks to Taylor for the memorable experience.

River Bends
thanks Timothy and family for a wonderful stay. Truly peaceful, beautiful place with a lovely pure energy. And thanks to the calves on hill, sheep, kingfishers, spur winged plovers and co. Wondrous limestone country...Chrissy 🙂👍👍
Quick stats about vacation rentals in Kawhia
Total rentals
20 properties
Nightly prices starting at
ﺩ.ﺇ184 before taxes and fees
Total number of reviews
1.4K reviews
Family-friendly rentals
10 properties are a good fit for families
Popular amenities
Gym, BBQ grill, and Laptop-friendly workspace
Local attractions
Kawhia Hot Water Beach, Oparau Roadhouse, and The Rusty Snapper
Your guide to Kawhia
All About Kawhia
Peppered with groves of crimson pohutukawa trees, the small town of Kawhia sits on the northern shore of Kawhia Harbour, around midway down the rugged west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. As the final landing site of the Tainui people, Kawhia has huge significance in Maori culture. Two stones mark the spot where the 14th-century waka — canoe — was buried, making it a sacred place for locals. The beach is renowned for its natural hot tubs — all you have to do is dig a hole in the black sand at low tide and wait for the region’s famed geothermal water to rise up and bubble. Fishing is a big draw in Kawhia. Anglers stake out their favorite spots around the harbor for reeling in snapper, kingfish, and tarakihi. The region is also home to a network of picturesque seaside and inland hiking trails, many of which can be accessed on horseback.
The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Kawhia
Remember that New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, so weather patterns and seasons are opposite of those in North America. Summer months are from December through February, and winter goes from June to the end of August. Peak season for Kawhia accommodations is between January and June. July and August are often the rainiest months, although average temperatures rarely dip below chilly; humidity, however, tends to hover around 80 percent. On the nearest weekend to Waitangi Day — New Zealand’s national day on February 6 — people from far and wide come to Kawhia to join in the Kawhia Traditional Māori Kai Festival, a celebration of traditional dishes from land and sea, including hāngī, where fish and other ingredients are wrapped up and slow-cooked in a pit dug into the ground.
Expect at least a few wet days if you visit from September to December, but there will still be plenty to do. October is a good time to explore the limestone caves of the famous Piripiri Cave Walk, about an hour’s drive south of Kawhia.
Top things to do in Kawhia
Kawhia Hot Water Beach
Follow Te Puia Road out of town for 10 minutes to the sweeping sands of Kawhia Hot Water Beach, where geothermally warmed waters rise up at low tide. Beachgoers in the know dig their own hot tubs in the sand and enjoy hot-tubbing the way the people of Kawhia have done for centuries.
Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre
Around an hour’s drive east from Kawhia, Waitomo Caves brim with bioluminescent constellations created by the local glow-worm population. First explored in the 1880s, this magical underground network of rivers and caves can be experienced in several ways, from ziplining to swimming and taking a boat tour — there’s even a trail run that combines adventure above and below ground.
Marokopa Falls
Just outside of Ta Anga, around an hour from town, the 115-foot Marokopa Falls is one of New Zealand’s lesser-known waterfalls. An accessible 20-minute hiking trail leads through lush forest to a viewing platform providing a commanding view of the thundering Marokopa River as it drops and joins with the Tawarau River, a large fishing river where anglers cast for kahawai.
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