natural wonder
Rotorua
New Zealand's geothermal wonderland with erupting geysers, boiling mud pools, steaming lakes, and rich Māori cultural experiences.
40 km · about 45 min drive
OceaniaNew ZealandBay of Plenty
Kawerau
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand · Oceania
About Kawerau
Kawerau sits on the route: 20 minutes from Edgecumbe, 40km from Rotorua.
Kawerau is in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, with about 7,700 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Edgecumbe, about 17 km away.
Kawerau is a town in the Bay of Plenty Region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated 100 km south-east of Tauranga and 58 km east of Rotorua. It is the seat of the Kawerau District Council, and the only town in Kawerau District.
Kawerau is a small community, with an economy that is largely driven by theRead more
nearby pulp and paper mill that is run by Norske Skog and OJI Fibre Solutions. It is located along State Highway 34, southwest of Onepu, and is the terminus of the East Coast Main Trunk Railway, and the commencing point of the Murupara Branch railway.
Kawerau is among the three towns in New Zealand with a majority Māori population, along with Ōpōtiki and Wairoa. Kawerau was one of the worst-affected towns in the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake.
Where to Stay in Kawerau
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Kawerau.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Kawerau.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kawerau?
Within an hour or so of Kawerau: Rotorua (40 km), Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (40 km), Rainbow Springs Nature Park (42 km).
Where is Kawerau?
Kawerau is in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, about 17 km from Edgecumbe.
Road trip
Drive to Kawerau
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Kawerau. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 7,670
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Bay of Plenty
- Timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Coordinates
- -38.1000, 176.7000
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New ZealandTags
Worth the detour from Kawerau
3 notable places within an hour's drive.
natural wonder
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Surreal geothermal area with the vivid green Devil's Bath, the Champagne Pool, and the Lady Knox Geyser.
40 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Rotorua nature park showcasing New Zealand's unique wildlife including kiwi in a natural bush setting.
42 km · about 50 min drive
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Kawerau.
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Kawerau.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.