Kawakawa Bay

(102 routes)

Introduction
Kawakawa Bay is on the northern shores of Lake Taupo 5kms west of Kinloch.
At the eastern end of the Bay stands a number or Rhyolite cliffs over looking
native bush and the lake. There is a mix of trad and bolted routes that will
appeal to climbers at all levels. With it s high number of easy trad climbs
Kawakawa is a great place to come and learn the trade.
Access
The Kawakawa Bay Walkway starts from Nisbet terrace in Kinloch. The walk
takes around 1 ½ hours staring from the western side of Whangamata bay then
following the peninsula out and over to Kawakwaw bay. For anyone wanting to
camp, there is a grassy campsite 50m up the beach from the long drop.
GEAR
The gear you will need - a full rack of cams and wires plus hexes if you have
them, and 11 quickdraws. For each line a recommended rack is given. Trad
gear abbreviations are
SCD = Small Cams. Smaller than 1 Friend.
CD = Full set of Camming devices, size 1 to 4 Friend or equal
W = A full set of wires.
Hex = A set of Hex’s.
Kawakawa Bay - Re bolted.
In August 2007 Steven King, John Pellew and co, rebolted Kawakawa Bay.
Over 120 bolts where replaced with Stainless Steel glue in’s (M10 x 100 St St
threaded rod & St St Hangers). www.freeclimb.co.nz helped support this
“positive climbing action” by donated all threaded rod. I personally would like
to thank Stephen King for his efforts in pioneering, developing and rebolting
Kawakawa, great effort, fantastic Crag. Thanks Cliff.