Access to the cache is a simple walk from the carpark. If you wish you can bring your kayak (no powered craft are allowed on lake) or swim gear, have a picnic, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.
The Kerikeri Cruising Club offers Learn to Sail programmes at Lake Manuwai and are just the way to get started in sailing.
The courses offer the opportunity for both children and adults to learn to sail. No experience is required. All the instructors are volunteers, trained to Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) standards and the courses are run in accordance with YNZ guidelines.
Advanced tuition in your own boat can also be arranged. All sizes and types of boat catered for. Google for more details.
Fish and Game New Zealand recommend the fishing:
Situated a few kilometres north of Waipapa is Lake Manuwai.
The lake has good numbers of rainbow trout, which are readily taken with wet flies and bait. The normal shore-based fishing techniques work well and non-motorised boat fishing is permitted. The lake edge vegetation impedes angling in a lot of places but fishing is good where areas permit. The lake is set in a very picturesque valley catchment and is a great place for the whole family.
There are other caches nearby (one will need a kayak) and although the cache is available 24/7 it is around open water and the carpark can host some late-night revellers so daylight for the kids is recommended.
Bring your own pen/pencil and tweezers recommended for extraction of cache and/or log. Be careful where you put your feet, there are lots of geese and their droppings!