Kawerau has the only FREE HEATED PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL in New Zealand. Kawerau hosts a number of events each year, including the National Woodskills Festival, ‘King of the Mountain’ race and the Tarawera 100 motorcycle endurance race. Kawerau is also growing as an event venue for white water rapid competitions such as kayaking and rafting. The annual Kawerau Woodfest attracts hundreds of visitors from around the country making it the town’s largest event and as a result, is the highest economic beneficial event in Kawerau. As well as the Woodskills Festival there is an Arts & Crafts Festival with displays open on Saturday and Sunday at various venues around Kawerau. Experience a taste of the edge, Mata speciality beers brewed with pure artesian water. Pop in for free tastings! A must try – our beer edged with manuka honey, unique to N.Z. Site tours available by prior arrangement. We’re at 57 Onslow St, Kawerau’s very own microbrewery, manufacturing and launching from November 05, a range of NZ premium beers from their Onslow Street premises. Site tours of the manufacturing and brewing facility are welcomed by prior appointment.

It is located adjacent to the Tarawera River. The Motel has nine units. The bed arrangements vary. Sleep between 2 and four people. TV sizes are between 32inch and 65inch. Tarawera River Lodge is centrally situated between several Hot Springs (Awakeri, Waitangi and Hells Gate). Kawerau has the privilege of having its hot spring and free swimming pools. Being 10 minutes from the lakes, 30 minutes to Whakatane on the coast and 45 minutes to Rotorua City, renowned for its thermal activity, Maori history and culture, makes Tarawera River Lodge the perfect place to stay. Enjoy staying in boutique-style accommodation, just minutes from the town centre and at the base of Mt Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe) with Trout fishing and kayaking on your doorstep and the surrounding lakes. Kawerau is surrounded by a wealth of natural resources, none more so than the Tarawera River – a venue for the World Rafting Champs 2013. The stunning Tarawera River begins its journey as Lake Tarawera approximately 20 minutes from the township. The river flows out across a rhyolitic lava flow before disappearing into caves and eventually pours out halfway up a cliff to form the Tarawera falls.

Covell Estate Wines, fresh, clean green, 100% Biogrow certified organic wines produced in the beautiful Galatea Valley. Visitors welcome, tour groups a speciality. Enquire directly from the winemaker as escorted through the scenic vineyards and cellars, and taste the superior difference from the wine selection of only 100% organic Covell Estate Wines. The Kawerau Golf Course is on flat easy walking land adjacent to the Tarawera River and, with mountain views and an abundance of bird life, it is one of the most scenic courses in the Bay of Plenty. An 18 hole par 71 for both men and women it can be a challenging course with the 6th, 15th and 18th holes a true test of a golfer’s skills. The Kawerau Golf Course is open all year round and always welcomes visitors. The Tarawera River begins at the eastern end of Lake Tarawera and heads east to the coast through some impressive volcanic geology and via the township of Kawerau. The river offers good Grade 2 & 3 rapids and can be run from about 10 km below the Tarawera Falls down to Kawerau.