Kayak Trails in Franklin WEKA - Waiuku Estuary Kayak Adventure

For those with less time

Beginning in the tidal estuary of historic Waiuku, at the same place as the Wai-manu Kayak Trail, kayak to the Waitangi Falls (2.5km), have a picnic lunch, jump off the falls with the local kids, then leisurely kayak back via the Waiuku Sandspit beach. If time and tide allow you may like to extend your trip cruising around the sheltered inlets. Allow 2hrs on the water plus breaks. There is usually enough water for kayaking 2hrs either side of high tide - see Onehunga Tides 2014, Onehunga Tides 2015 (and dont forget Daylight Saving).

Take your own lunch or snacks and a drink bottle and a camera (in a plastic bag). You should see a range of local birdlife (for example - heron, kingfisher, South Island pied oystercatcher, fantail, welcome swallow and ducks).

There are toilets and picnic tables at the Sandspit and the Tamakae Reserves in Waiuku. There are picnic tables but no toilets at Waitangi Falls.

Kayaks, and a map can be hired from StressFree Adventures 0800 GoByKayak