Last updated October 2026
Lake Waro is a small man-made lake in an old limestone quarry near Hikurangi, about 16 kilometres north of central Whangārei. The lake sits inside the Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve, 7.5 hectares of open grass and limestone cliffs, and LAWA describes the reserve as used for swimming, walking and picnicking.
Northland Regional Council tests the water at the lake’s launch site every week over summer as part of its swimming water quality programme.
The site holds a Fair long-term grade on LAWA, which means the water is usually fine but is best avoided after rain. A 2.2-kilometre track around the lake, with signs on the area’s geology and mining past, makes it a good half-day outing from Whangārei.
Practical Information
- Location
- Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve, near Hikurangi, north of Whangārei
- Distance from Whangārei
- About 16 km north of the city centre
- Water
- Freshwater lake in a flooded former quarry, no tides
- Water quality
- Fair (LAWA long-term grade, summers 2020/21 to 2024/25)
- Testing
- Weekly from December to March by Northland Regional Council, at the launch site
- Lifeguards
- None
- Walking track
- 2.2 km council track along the lake, with interpretation signs
- Facilities nearby
- Open grass picnic areas; mapped parking about 470 metres from the testing point
Swimming Facts
Today at Lake Waro
Sunday 15 NovemberWater quality track record
Stay out of the water for 48 hours after heavy rain.What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine E. coli results over the five summers from 2021/22 to 2025/26, with at least 50 tests (207 per 100 mL from 53 tests).
About Lake Waro
Hikurangi grew up as a mining town. Coal mines opened there in 1890, and the North Auckland railway line from Whangārei reached the town in 1894.
Limestone has been quarried around Hikurangi since the early twentieth century, and LAWA’s description of the reserve notes that the Waro site was one of Northland’s largest limestone quarries and coal mines in the 1900s.
When mining stopped, the pit was closed and flooded, and the water that filled it became Lake Waro. The quarry left behind limestone cliffs beside the lake, and the reserve around it, about 7.5 hectares, is a mix of these cliffs and open grass.
In 1999 local people formed the Friends of Lake Waro community group and began restoring the old quarry site. Hundreds of native trees have been planted since then, and the reserve has turned from an industrial site into a place for swimming, walking and picnics.
The council track around the lake is 2.2 kilometres long, and interpretation signs along the way explain the geology of the limestone and how the site was used in the past. It is an easy walk to pair with a swim on a warm day, and the open grass gives plenty of room to spread out a picnic.
Swimming and Water Quality at Lake Waro
Northland Regional Council samples Lake Waro at the launch site every week from December to March and reports the results on LAWA and its Safeswim service. The site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 59 routine tests over the summers of 2020/21 to 2024/25.
Across 76 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 95% were suitable for swimming. A Fair grade means the water is usually suitable, but bacteria levels can rise, especially after rain, so it is a long-term guide rather than a guarantee for any given day.
Check the latest result on LAWA or Safeswim before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. Northland Regional Council suggests waiting two to three days after heavy rainfall, when runoff can wash bacteria into lakes and rivers.
Lakes can also grow cyanobacteria (toxic blue-green algae), particularly in warm, settled weather. Northland Regional Council notes that nutrient enrichment can cause toxic algal blooms in the region’s lakes.
If the water looks green, cloudy or scummy, or you see mats along the edge, stay out. Algae is especially dangerous for dogs, so check LAWA for any algae alerts before you go.
Lake Waro is a former quarry with limestone cliffs around it and there is no lifeguard. Keep away from cliff edges, do not jump or dive into water you have not checked, and keep a close eye on children in the water.
Getting There
Lake Waro is near the township of Hikurangi, north of Whangārei. The water quality testing point is at the lake’s launch site, and OpenStreetMap shows parking about 470 metres from it, so allow for a short walk to the water. The 2.2-kilometre track runs along the lake from the reserve.
From locals
Is there car parking at Lake Waro?
Is there anywhere to shower or rinse off after a swim at Lake Waro?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Lake Waro?
Yes. LAWA describes the Waro reserve as used for swimming, walking and picnicking, and Northland Regional Council tests the lake weekly over summer. There is no lifeguard, so check the latest result and swim within your ability.
What is the water quality like at Lake Waro?
The launch site has a Fair LAWA long-term grade, based on 59 routine tests over summers 2020/21 to 2024/25. Of 76 tests between December 2019 and March 2025, 95% were suitable for swimming. Avoid swimming after rain.
When is Lake Waro tested?
Northland Regional Council samples the lake weekly from December to March. Results are published on LAWA and Safeswim.
How was Lake Waro formed?
The lake fills a former limestone quarry and coal mine, one of the largest in Northland in the 1900s. After mining stopped, the pit was flooded and the lake formed.
Is there a walk around Lake Waro?
Yes. The council track along the lake is 2.2 kilometres long, with interpretation signs about the geology and history of the site.
Is there toxic algae at Lake Waro?
Lakes can develop toxic blue-green algae in warm weather. Check LAWA for current alerts, stay out of water that looks green or scummy, and keep dogs out of it.
How far is Lake Waro from Whangārei?
Lake Waro is near Hikurangi, about 16 kilometres north of central Whangārei.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- LAWA and Northland Regional Council: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result, algae alerts and the long-term grade for Lake Waro at the launch site.
- Northland Regional Council: how Safeswim works in Northland, how sites are monitored and how long to wait after rain.
- Northland Regional Council: background on Northland’s lakes, the threats they face and the risk of algal blooms.
Sources and data notes 1
- Water quality track record: Water quality: © LAWA and partner organisations (Northland Regional Council), licensed under CC BY 4.0, results to June 2026; latest results on LAWA.