Hawea Flat: Trails, Water and Local History

Hawea Flat combines tangible traces of local history with community events, trails and activities on the water. This mix gives you different starting points for planning your trip: should your stay be shaped primarily by walking trails, local tradition or water sports?

Local history and community events

St Ninian’s Presbyterian Church in Hāwea Flat was built in 1938 and adds a historic note. The annual “Town” versus “Country” competition reveals another side of the area: it takes place every Waitangi weekend between Lake Hāwea and Hāwea Flat. If you would like to include the competition in your plans, check the programme for that year, as some details may change.

Trails between Hāwea Flat and the surrounding area

The Hāwea Flat School Track is 6 km long, rated Grade 2 and connects Lake Hāwea with Hāwea Flat. It also provides car-free access to Hāwea Domain. The length, rating and connection describe different aspects of the route; check current track conditions and the route before setting out.

The Devon Link provides another connection: it links Hāwea Flat directly to the Hāwea River Track and provides access to Hāwea Flat via this route. In the wider Queenstown Lakes District, the Hāwea River Track connects Albert Town with Hāwea and forms part of the Te Araroa Trail. This means you can consider the connection as part of a larger trail network when planning, without confusing it with the 6 km School Track.

Water sports with varying requirements

The Hāwea Whitewater Park was purpose-built in 2012 on the Hāwea River near Camphill Bridge for kayaking, whitewater, bodyboarding and surfing. Considerable kayaking experience is required for the lower wave section of the Hāwea Wave. The Hāwea Wave has two wave or jump sections at different levels; check conditions and suitability before using it on site.

Community spaces and Hāwea Domain

Hāwea Flat Hall is a community space for sports, performances, projects, workspaces, meetings and food technology activities in the kitchen. It accepts regular bookings and has been used for activities including yoga and kickboxing. If booking the hall is relevant to your travel plans, confirm availability in advance.

Hāwea Domain, a large recreational reserve with a rural character, is located near Hāwea Flat. It serves the Hāwea communities, residents of the wider district and visitors. The family-friendly Hāwea Picnic Race Day is held there annually. Specific event dates may vary; plan accordingly if you want to combine your visit with race day.

Placing it in the Queenstown Lakes District

In the wider Queenstown Lakes District destination, Lake Whakatipu, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea are the three main lakes. They are used for boating, swimming and other water sports. The Hāwea River Track passes through kānuka scrub and open plains before following the river upstream to Domain Road. This regional perspective complements the specific trails and water activities you can include in your plans for Hawea Flat.

Community events add a date-specific element to your trip. Tailor your search to the experiences you want to shape your travels.

Discover more destinations: Arthurs Point, Lower Shotover, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Speargrass Flat, Gibbston, Glenorchy, Moonlight.

For the wider travel overview: Queenstown Lakes District.