The small town of Kawakawa has colourful sculptures, mosiacs, and cobblestones. The town is famous for its Hundertwasser building- like nothing you’ve ever seen before, golden orbs perch on the grass tuft roof of this truly unique public washroom. Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser lived in Kawakawa from the mid 70’s to his death in 2000, and gifted this buildings to the town. Another attraction is the nearby Kawiti glowworm caves at Waiomio.
Kawakawa is also the only town in New Zealand that is home to a railway track through the middle of town. Created during the coal mining days, you can take a ride the train- called the Bay of Islands Vintage Railway.
Kawakawa Primary School is a full primary (years 1-8) school with a roll of 210. Bay of Islands College is a secondary (years 9-13) school with a roll of 422. It takes students from around the Bay of Islands and middle Northland, with 85% of its students travelling daily by bus to attend. Both schools are coeducational. Karetu School is also a local primary school in the Kawakawa region.
See more of the region here.