- The Kawakawa Bay Track (K2K) runs 9 km one way from Kinloch Beach to Kawakawa Bay on Lake Taupo, easy grade, 2 hours walking one way.
- Kinloch is about 20 km from Taupo, roughly a 20 to 25 minute drive, so it is a handy half day trip from town.
- It is a shared track, part of the Great Lake Trail, so you will share it with mountain bikers heading the same way.
- Dogs are allowed but must be kept under control at all times.
- There is no road into Kawakawa Bay itself, you get there on foot, by mountain bike, or by water taxi.
Quick facts
| Location | Kinloch, near Taupo, North Island |
| Distance | 9 km one way (18 km return) |
| Time needed | 2 hours one way, 4 hours return |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Mountain bike | Yes, part of the Great Lake Trail, about 1 hour one way |
| Route type | Out and back, or one way with a water taxi or the Orakau track |
| Toilets | Yes, a DOC shelter and toilet at Kawakawa Bay |
| Dogs | Yes, allowed but must be kept under control at all times |
| Parking | Free, at Kinloch Beach, or at the Whangamata Road carpark for the Orakau end |
| Fees | None, it is DOC managed land |
| Wheelchair access | No |
| Wet feet | No |
| Mobile coverage | Yes |
Getting there
Travel north from Taupo on SH1 over the Waikato River. At the top of the hill turn left into Poihipi Road and follow the signs to Kinloch. It is about 20 km from Taupo to Kinloch, around 20 to 25 minutes driving. There is no public transport out to Kinloch, so you will need to drive yourself.
Parking is free at Kinloch Beach, right by the start of the track. If you are linking up with the Orakau track at the other end, there is also a free signposted carpark on Whangamata Road.
There is a small dairy and a restaurant in Kinloch, handy for a coffee or supplies before or after the walk.
The walk from Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay
It was a beautiful day on our walk from Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay, also known as the K2K walk. We started at the western end of Kinloch Beach, to the right of the car park.
We had awesome views as we climbed up from Whangamata Bay, the track sidling along the top of a broad cliff above the lake. It is a well formed track, grassy in parts, with a couple of small bridges to cross.
After a while you reach the lookout, about halfway between Kinloch and Kawakawa Bay. This is where the photo of me at the top of this page was taken, and it is the highlight of the walk. It is a shared track with mountain bikers as part of the Great Lake Trail, so keep an eye out for riders coming through, especially on the downhill corners.
From the lookout the track winds down through the bush into Kawakawa Bay.
What you’ll see
The big drawcard is the view from the lookout, looking down over Lake Taupo and along the cliffs either side of the bay. Lower down the track runs through native bush before opening out at Kawakawa Bay itself, where there is a shelter, toilet, and a small informal tent camping area right by the water.
Who it’s for
This one suits families and casual walkers, it is an easy grade with a proper reward at the lookout. It also suits mountain bikers doing the Great Lake Trail, and anyone keen on a lake swim in summer since Kawakawa Bay itself has no road access and feels nicely tucked away.
When to go
Summer is lovely, the bay is a great spot for a swim and a picnic lunch by the water. In winter the lookout section is quite exposed, so wrap up warm if you are walking it then. Track conditions can vary with the weather, so check the current trail conditions before you head out, particularly after heavy rain.
Important stuff
- Dogs are allowed on the Kawakawa Bay Track (K2K) but must be kept under control at all times.
- It is a shared use track open to both walkers and mountain bikers as part of the Great Lake Trail, so stay alert for riders, particularly near the downhill corners.
- Kawakawa Bay itself has no road access. The only ways in are on foot, by mountain bike, or by boat or water taxi.
- At the bay there is a DOC shelter, a toilet, and an informal tent camping area. It is DOC managed land so there is no fee to use it.
- The Kawakawa Bay Track is one way in, you can also reach the bay via the separate Orakau track, which starts from a carpark on Whangamata Road, so the two tracks can be linked for a longer one way trip.
- Water at the start of the walk at Kinloch, none further along, so bring your own bottle.
My honest take
I really enjoyed this one. The climb up from Whangamata Bay gives you those broad cliff top views the whole way to the lookout, and there was not a breath of wind the day we went, the lake as smooth as glass. We brought lunch and sat by the water’s edge at Kawakawa Bay, then wandered a bit further along the lake edge before turning around and walking back the same way we came. There is an option to carry on along the Orakau trail instead of doubling back, we have not done that leg yet, but it is on the list.
My legs were pretty happy by the end of this one, and I reckon a soak at Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs & Water Park would have gone down a treat afterwards.
Common questions
How far is Kinloch from Taupo?
Kinloch is about 20 km from Taupo, roughly a 20 to 25 minute drive on SH1 and Poihipi Road.
How long is the Kawakawa Bay Track (K2K)?
It is 9 km one way, about 2 hours walking one way or 4 hours return. On a mountain bike it is roughly 1 hour one way.
Where is Kinloch?
Kinloch is a small lakeside settlement on the western side of Lake Taupo, North Island, about 20 km from Taupo township.
Can you do the K2K as a one way walk instead of returning the same way?
Yes. You can arrange a water taxi pickup from Kawakawa Bay back to Kinloch, or continue on past the bay via the Orakau track to the carpark on Whangamata Road, instead of doubling back.
Is the K2K track open to mountain bikes?
Yes, it is part of the Great Lake Trail and shared with mountain bikers, so walkers should watch for riders along the way.
Other walks nearby
Back to Taupo Walks.
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