Most people passing through Kawakawa know it for its famous toilets or its equally famous lav-a-tree. However, for some visitors and locals, their memories linger more on the vintage railway track, which runs right down the middle of the main street, than the artwork.
The steam train is soon spotted, and Les jokingly makes out he’s searching for Hogwarts platform 9, from the Harry Potter books, indelibly linking steam trains with a certain boy wizard for at least one generation, though not ours.
Another attraction, which was just up the road from the late Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser’s colourful toilets, was his old boat, “Regentag”, situated behind the station building. Hundertwasser somehow managed to do much of his artwork in the tiny cabin on the boat, which he used as his studio.
However, around 2016, it was moved to the late artist’s property on an inlet near Kawakawa.
This time in Kawakawa, we didn’t manage a train ride as we were short of time back then, and to be honest, exploring and taking a walk after hours of travelling were more tempting on the day.
What we did manage to spend time viewing was all the eccentric, vibrant artwork, such as the “lava tree”, a pole covered in painted toilet bowls. Funnily enough, it’s not even an original idea as the Australians have a lav-a-tree, which also grows in Dorrigo, in northern New South Wales, and has a steam railway.
So there you have it, Kawakawa is not the only place that has two of the greatest drawcards – toilets and trains.
Life at No. 22 
What an incredible place.
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The artwork is unique, and smaller rural towns need something to keep them alive.
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It was written with humour not to be taken seriously 🙄
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Good fun
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Yes, I think it’s light hearted fun 😊
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What a great quirky place! I would love a wander there.
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I agree it is quirky, and I’m sure there are plenty more art sculptures added.
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Very quirky place. I was there for the first time earlier this year.
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It’s a fun place to visit, though I’m not sure I would enjoy living there.
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The Far North is beautiful, but it is a long way to get to any other part of New Zealand. I live in Wellington and that is bad enough, you can only go North – maybe I should move to Taupo
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It certainly appears to be a colorful place in many ways!
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It’s a fun distraction while taking a break from travelling northwards when we were motorhoming. The artist was as colourful as his art.
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What a great place to explore. I love all the whimsical artwork!
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I think so. The locals are passionate about keeping the artistic vibe going.
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What a colourful spot!? It’s hard to know where to look first! 🙂 Melx
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That will depend on how strong your urge is for the toilet 😉 x
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🙂
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Thanks for recommending my blog! I’m not sure how you did it, but thanks anyway. 🙂 How do I do this magical thing? 😉
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I pressed onto my icon photo and I saw headings – Posts – List – Recommended and the rest is history. See if it works for you as I’m sure it will. You’re welcome by the way, as I enjoy your reading your blog 🙂
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I don’t remember this place Suzanne and had to look up its location. So many interesting places in NZ. Thanks for showing this one. Love the quirky art
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Love all that eccentric, vibrant artwork! Looks fabulous.
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Nothing like outdoor art to stimulate the senses while stretching your legs.
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That’s a very handsome yellow loo, Suzanne xx
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It’s different 🙂
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