Tracks & walks in the Wairarapa
Historic heritage in the Wairarapa
Familiy walks and day visits in the Wairarapa brochure
The Wairarapa is home to the Mount Bruce/Pukaha Wildlife Centre, Aorangi, Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks, Lake Wairarapa wetlands, Castlepoint, Putangirua Pinnacles and several other scenic reserves.
Enjoy the sights, tramping and hunting opportunities available in Aorangi Forest Park.Alert: A number of alerts have been issued for the Park.Location: Aorangi Forest Park lies between Martinborough in the north and Cape Palliser in the south, covering a large part of the Aorangi mountains. By road the park is around 80 km south of Masterton and 100 km east of Wellington.
Carter Scenic Reserve is one of the few remaining remnants of patchwork landscape once typical of the Wairarapa - grass, wetland, shrubland, and forest.Location: Carter Scenic Reserve is in Wairarapa, 12 km south-east of Carterton on the Gladstone Road.
With its reef, lagoon, lighthouse and Castle Rock, Castlepoint is a spectacular stretch of Wairarapa coastline. An hour from Masterton, the reserve attracts many birds and marine mammals.Alert: The Castlepoint causeway and wind fence leading to the lighthouse have been removed.Location: Castlepoint is located on Wairarapa's east coast about 1 hour's drive from Masterton.
Holdsworth is the main entrance to the eastern side of Tararua Forest Park. Holdsworth offers camping, a lodge, picnic facilities, swimming in Atiwhakatu Stream and a range of walks.Location: Holdsworth is near Masterton.
Lake Wairarapa has extensive wetlands where fishing and birdwatching are popular activities.Location: Located in the southern Wairarapa plains near Featherston, the wetlands are about an hour’s drive from Wellington city. Lake Domain (with its picnic table and toilets) is around 8 km from Featherston. The Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve (parking and a picnic area) is around 16 km from Featherston.
You can see conservation in action at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre in the Northern Wairarapa. Tuatara, kokako, kiwi and takahe are all permanent residents here.Alert: Alerts have been issued about a track closure and pesticide operation at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Location: Pukaha Mount Bruce is in northern Wairararapa.
Rimutaka Forest Park spans two areas. This link will take you to the information about the track, in the Poneke area.Location: The Rimutaka Range between Wellington's Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa Plains.
Tararua Forest Park near Wellington features an abundance of tramping and hunting opportunities.Alert: A number of alerts have been issued for the Park.Location: Tararua Forest Park includes more than three-quarters of the Tararua range, and extends from the Pahiatua Track in the north, to the Rimutaka Saddle on SH 2 in the south.
Waiohine Gorge is a popular camping and recreation area and entrance to southeastern Tararua Forest Park.Location: Southeastern Tararua Forest Park, near Carterton.
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