Waikawa Bay, Picton, New Zealand

Flowers along the beach front.

Waikawa Bay is about 8 km from Picton, It is a very attractive small cove, with a large boat Marina.

Population is only about 500 people though during the holiday seasons this doubles with holiday makers.

There is a pleasant picnic area and childrens play area, and the bay is safe for swimming. A very good gas barbeque is available on the beach front for a small charge. The idea being; you first catch yourself a fish then you barbeque it and eat it at the tables provided.

Catching a small fish is not difficult, there are plenty of spotties  and even some blue cod if your really lucky. But to really catch the big ones you do need to go out in a boat to deeper waters.

One nice cafe caters for  the thirst of the picnicers, and another within the Marina for the boaties.

The Waikawa Maori Marae, whale bone entry arch and carved meeting house.

Accommadation is available, there is a motel block, several b&bs and homestays and two camping grounds, both of which supply comfortable cabins to visitors. but no hotels as yet.

There is a quite large Maori Marae for the Maori population, the entry is through a Whale Bone Archway. The big carved Maori Meeting house is very impressive with all the carving and weaving on the walls inside, all of this tells stories from the past. Women are generally not allowed in this meeting house, but there are some times of exception when even us ladies are allowed to examine the quality workmanship.

Lucky visitors get to to be welcomed on to this marae with singing and dancing and a challenge that can be rather scary if your not expecting it.