From the beach end of Beach St, head left along the beach, then up river to the lagoon. Follow the causeway around the lagoon and then across it, back onto Beach St.

At different times of the year, large numbers of birds use the lagoon as a stop off place in their migration or for nesting. Birds include: royal spoonbill/kōtuku ngutupapa, white-faced heron/matuku moana, little shag/kawau paka, pied stilt/poaka and many more.

The lagoons are very shallow, less than half a metre deep and parts often dry out over summer.

Hawksbury Lagoon Inc help protect the lagoon.

About 40 km north of Dunedin, turn onto Beach St off SH1 at Waikouaiti.

• Dogs are allowed on a lead on the beach, but aren't allowed around the lagoon. 
• Any form of water transport is not permitted on lagoon.