A Calm Corner of the Tutukākā Harbour
Kowharewa Bay sits about two kilometres east of Church Bay along Tutukākā Block Road, roughly five minutes from Tutukākā on the Tutukākā Harbour in Northland. At around 400 metres wide, it is one of the most sheltered bays on the inner harbour: the water is flat, the grass reserve is shaded by pōhutukawa trees, and the surroundings are quiet enough that dolphins, penguins, and occasionally whales are spotted from shore. A few houses border the bay. The reserve is a good base for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and small-boat launching.
The Bay
The beach is small and pebbly. At high tide, the water is ideal for swimming; at low tide, the mudflats extend and wading birds move in, making it a good spot for birdwatching. A boat ramp is across the road from the reserve. Freedom camping is available for self-contained vehicles, with space for around four to five campervans. A one-night limit per calendar month applies, and the site is closed to campers from 18 December to 8 February, the busiest time on the Tutukākā Coast.
How to Get There
From Tutukākā, turn onto Tutukākā Block Road and follow it approximately two kilometres to Kowharewa Bay. The reserve has car parking for around a dozen vehicles and public toilets.
Nearby places to visit include Church Bay immediately to the west, Whangaumu Bay and the Whangaumu Bay Track at the end of Block Road, Kauakarangi, Ngunguru and the Tutukākā Track.
