Waikawa River

Waikawa River
Location
Country	New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	near Tokanui
Mouth
• location	Waikawa
Length	23 km (14 mi)

The Waikawa River flows east then south through the Catlins, an area of the southern South Island of New Zealand. Its total length is 23 kilometres (14 mi), and it flows into the Pacific Ocean at Waikawa. Close to its mouth, it cascades over a small series of cataracts, ironically named Niagara Falls.

The river's source is 15 kilometres (9 mi) east of Fortrose.

The New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage gives a translation of "bitter water" for Waikawa.^[1] 46°39′S 169°09′E / 46.650°S 169.150°E / -46.650; 169.150