Wellington, Wairarapa, Rangitikei & Tararua

Wellington the capital city of New Zealand, houses our seat of Government, known as the 'Beehive' because of its shape and activity thereabouts.

The greater city area is located on the hills surrounding the harbour and supports a vibrant cafe and arts culture. The harbour is the northern landing point of the Inter-Island ferry service, it has beaches, a marina and wharf area and the hosts the waterfront location of Te Papa our national museum.

This contemporary building houses artifacts, art collections and kiwi memorabilia, presented in a refreshing manner with many interactive displays and activity centres for young people The National Archives in Mulgrave Street houses the original Treaty of Waitangi The Museum of Wellington is located in the old Bond Store on Queens Wharf and displays the social and maritime history of the city.

Nature is on display at the Wellington Botanical Gardens, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Otari Native Botanic Garden, to name but a few places.

State Highway 1 out of Wellington takes you along the Kapiti Coast with its towns of Paekakriki, Paraparumu and Waikanae. Kapiti Island located just off shore is a wildlife reserve and a permit from the department of conservation is required to visit the island in order to control numbers. To the east of the Highway is the Tararua Forest Park, an 80km wilderness or rugged bush country, there is high country tramping and easy day walks, the area is renowned for sudden changes in weather conditions.

Further north are the regions of Manawatu and Rangitikei named after their respective rivers, with their lush and fertile alluvial plains this is rich pastoral farming country and the rivers support all manner of recreational activities, such as fishing and rafting. Palmerston North is the major centre of commerce for the region with a population of over 60,000 and home of Massey University, noted for it's agricultural studies. The city is a hub for travel between highways 1,2, and 3 and is located on the Manawatu River. Highway 3 from the city travels the scenic Manawatu Gorge. This gorge cuts between the Tararua Ranges to the south and The Ruahine Ranges to the north, emerging at Woodville, look for the windmills of the wind farm in the hills behind the town.

East of the Tararua Ranges is the area known as Wairarapa, a farming, orchard and vineyard area. Popular for weekend escapes from Wellington and Palmerston North.

The Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre,30km north of Masterton is focused mainly on its breeding programs for endangered species of native birds. It iis open to the public and has live native bird displays in an attractive forest setting. Whilst many of the birds are caged for breeding purposes, watch for the free birds in the trees above.

Masterton calls itself the family town, with lots of child friendly activities, you can explore the towns history by using the 3 heritage trails. An hours drive takes you out to the coast to admire the Castlepoint and Riversdale Beaches.

Carterton is the activities base for excursions to Waiohine Gorge and the Tararua Forest Park, it too has a heritage trail called the Daffodil Heritage Walk.

Greytown is New Zealand's first planned inland town. It has an air of elegance and has retained many of its wooden Victorian buildings, the Colonial Heritage Walk showcases many of these.

Martinborough is the heart of the wine country, and 20 boutique wineries surround the town, many accessible on foot. The Vintage Village Heritage Walk highlights the historic features.

Featherston has several museums and antique shops, their heritage trail is the Gateway Heritage Walk with the history of the town dating back to the first accommodation house here opening in 1847.The Rimutaka Hill and Rimutaka Forest Park link this town with Wellington.

Cape Palliser has dramatic coastal scenery, the 'Putangirau Pinnacles' created by thousands of years of erosion of gravel deposits. The Cape Palliser Lighthouse (open to the public) and the Ngawi Fishing Village.

Rangitikei

The picturesque and fertile valley of the Rangitikei River is the dominant feature of this region and the focal point for many of it’s activities, it boasts a rafting grade eight, that’s high on the scale of excitement. The area also incorporates part of the Ruahine Ranges to the east and a southern section of the Tonagariri National Park

The River itself offers opportunities for rafting, fishing jet boating and even a bungy jump. The surrounding area can be explored with guided or unguided walks and horse treks. Historic homes, gardens and craft shops, which can all be visited, abound and no area of New Zealand would be complete without an opportunity to test your skills on a unique and friendly golf courses.

Tararua

The Western border of this region takes in the southern Ruahine and Tararua Ranges, bisected by the Manawatu Gorge. The main centres are Dannevirke, Woodville, Pahiatua and Eketahuna. The area is popular for hunting and fishing and tramping.

Approximately half way between Eketahuna and Masterton is the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre administered by the Department of Conservation with the main activity being it’s breeding program for endangered bird species.
 

A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION

Wellington    Kapiti Coast   Wairarapa

Wellington.

Te Papa National Museum, a contemporary building on the downtown waterfront housing New Zealand's historical and cultural treasures. Static and interactive displays of just about everything and anything that has contributed to the development of New Zealand as a land and a nation. Gain insight into the formation of the land itself, the arrival of the first inhabitants, European settlement, and cultural and industrial development. Also displays of New Zealand and overseas art. And if you don't fancy the real thing you can even do a 'virtual reality' Bungy jump.

National Archives in Mulgrave Street houses the original Treaty of Waitangi

The Colonial Cottage Museum at 68 Nairn Street is Wellington's 2nd oldest building is a step back in time to days of early European settlement.

There is a Heritage Trail Brochure to guide you around the Historical sites of Wellington City, which takes about 1 1/2 hours to complete. The brochure should be available from the Visitor Information Office, 101 Wakefield St. Civic Square.

Tours of Parliament are free and are available every day. Bookings are not normally necessary, times can be verified at the Tour Desk
Phone: +64 (04) 471 9503.

The Wellington Cable Car will take you from the downtown area, Lambton Quay up to the Botanical Gardens, Carter Observatory and Jewellery Arts Studio. Plus there are sweeping views of Wellington Harbour.

Sailing Trips, 90 minute to 2 day crewed charter cruises aboard Sir Peter Blake's former Whitbread racer 'Lion NZ' now known as Phantom of the Straits.
Phone: +64 (04) 477 3503
(or Ship 025 431 221)
Website: www.sailnz.co.nz

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, 31 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington. 10 minutes from the city centre is an area of 252ha which is being transformed into a native wildlife sanctuary and being kept free of pests by a predator proof perimeter fence.1 1/2 hour guided bush walks available.
Phone: (04) 920 9200
Website: www.sanctuary.org

The Otari Native Botanic Garden is 5 minutes from the City at Wiltons Bush, Wilton Road. It has a treetop walkway, walking tracks, plant collections and picnic areas.

Theatre, Wellington is a centre for performing arts in New Zealand for both National and International performers, check local papers for current shows.

Red Rocks Seal Tour, departs daily from Civic Centre
View the wild south coast of Wellington and NZ fur seals.
Freephone in NZ 0800 7325 277
e-mail: john.2rs@the.net.nz

 

Kapiti Coast

Kapiti Island, 35 minutes North of Wellington along State Highway 1 is the Kapiti Coast and the offshore sanctuary of Kapiti Island. Visitor numbers to Kapiti Island are controlled by visitor permit, available from the Department of Conservation in Wellington or Visitor Information Centre. Guided tours are run by Kapiti Tours. Pre-booking is essential in all cases.
Phone: 0800 527 4840
Website www.kapititours.co.nz  
Sudbury is an ideal site for a picnic lunch or afternoon tea. Admission charge:
39 Manu Grove
Waikanae
Kapiti Coast
Ph +64 (04) 902 8530
Fax +64 (04) 902 8531
Mobile 021 129 6970

Nikau Gardens, bookings recommended, Nikau Gardens is close to the Lindale Tourist Complex, this contains The gardens which are a combination of native and exotic plants and trees, a bush walk with it's many Nikau Palms, and a butterfly house. 
Mini shuttle service operates from Lindale, bookings adviseable.
Phone: +64 (04) 2988 086
email: nikaugardens@paradise.net.nz

Wellington Tramway Museum, Paekakariki Open weekends and public holidays and daily from Boxing Day to Wellington and Anniversary Day (late January) 11 a.m to 5pm
Phone: +64 (04) 292 8361

Southward Museum Trust Otaihanga Rd (off SH1) Paraparaumu. Vintage and veteran cars from 1895, the collection includes tractors, motor cycles, cycles, stationary engines and working models. set in 6ha of park like grounds. 9am - 4.30 daily Closed Christmas Day, Good Friday & Anzac a.m.

Adventure Aviation, open cockpit flying in a 1942 Tiger Moth biplane. Aerobatics or scenic low level flying over Kapiti Coast Kapiti Aero Club
Phone: +64 (04) 298 6536

Ngai Manu Nature Reserve, Ngarara Rd, Waikanae. 10am-5pm daily is operated by a charitable trust and operating a NZ species recovery program. They have Tuatara, Kiwi, Morepork, eels and a walk in native bird aviary.
Phone: +64 (04) 293 4131

Ferndale Equestrian Centre 148 Ngara Road, Waikanae. Trekking and tuition
Phone: +64 (04) 293 6209

Hyde Park Museum and Craft Village, Te Horo. Ph (04) 298 4515 Kiwi heritage and memorabilia on display plus an eclectic mix of craft outlets. Open 6 days (not Monday)

Tararua Outdoor Recreation Centre, Otaki Gorge Road, Otaki Rafting, kayaking, Abseiling and mountain biking.
Phone +64 (06) 364 3110

Back to Basics Guided Walks, Levin Day walks & overnight trips, low profile tracks, walk rivers and streams. Many ages and fitness levels.
Phone: +64 (06) 368 6306

Wairarapa

Cape Palliser and Palliser Bay, North Islands largest NZ fur seal breeding colony and picturesque light house open to the public. 250 steps to views of coast to the South Island.

Lake Onoke, fishing birdlife(the outlet of Lake Wairarapa), walk the spit accessible from Western Lake Road.

Putangirua Pinnacles, fascinating majestic pinnacles formed over 120,000 years of erosion.

Martinborough Wine Centre, 6 Kitchener St. Martinborough
Phone: +64 (06) 306 9040
Website: www.martinboroughwinecentre.co.nz

Featherston Gateway Heritage Walk

Palliser Dive and Safari, Kahutara Rd, RD2, Featherston swim with seals, snorkel unspoilt waters. Equipment provided.
Phone: +64 (06) 308 8362

Burgiss's Tours of South Wairarapa, by arrangement.
Phone: +64 (06) 308 9352
Website: www.sendme.to/tours

Contribu Tours, Wellington to Wairarapa, 1-4 people escorted
Phone: +64 (04) 589 1839.
Website: www.contributours.co.nz
Martinborough, tour the 20 or so boutique vineyards nearby.

Kahutara Canoes and Taxidermy Museum.
Phone: +64 (06) 308 8453

Wairarapa Jet Adventures, jet boat the Ruamahanga River
Phone: +64 (06) 377 2114
Website: http://wairarapa.co.nz/jet-adventures

Patuna Chasm, Haurangi Road Rd1 Martinborough 4 hour guided walk through farm, bush, chasm, river. Birds, fossils, waterfalls.
Phone: +64 (06)306 9966

Walks

Greytown, picnic and bush walk the Waiohine Gorge with the longest swing bridge of its type in NZ, there is 1 1/2 hour loop track for walkers.

Greytown Colonial Heritage Walk, the town has the most complete main street of wooden buildings in NZ. enjoy the Antique, craft and gift shops

Papawai Marae, Greytown. Site of NZ's first Maori Parliament, carved statues face inwards, symbolizing peace.
Ph +64 (06) 304 9623

Carterton, Daffodil Heritage Walk.

Other Activities:

Hot air ballooning with Ballooning NZ Ltd 48 Kent St, Carterton 1hr dawn flights.
Ph +64 (06) 379 8823
Mobile: 025 224 8696.

The Horse and Carriage Establishment, RD1 Clareville, Carterton, vineyard tours by horse drawn carriage.
Ph +64 (06) 379 6494
Masterton, explore the three heritage trails

Masterston Coast visit Castle point Scenic Reserve, coastal panoramas, with long stretches of sand and sheltered lagoon. Walks ranging from 45 mins to 2 hours, to lighthouse, caves and Castle Rock

Riversdale Beach has a long sandy beach and 9 hole golf course.

Seven Oaks Canoeing and Jetskiing, Seven Oaks, Rd12, Riversdale Beach Rd. 2-3 hour guided trips on Whareama River.
Ph +64 (06) 372 3801

Holdsworth (Tararua Forest Park 20km east of Masterton) 1 hour easy bush walk at Donnelly Flat. Also a 1hr lookout track with steep climb.

Riverleigh Lodge, Gardens, Wetlands, Animal Park Open Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed and public holidays Sept to May. Boxing Day to 31 Jan Tues-Sun 10am to 5pm.
Phone +64 (06)378 8054

Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, 30km north of Masterton, breeding programs for endangered species of native birds. Live native bird displays in an attractive forest setting. Whilst many of the birds are caged for breeding purposes, watch for the free birds in the trees above.
Website: www.mtbruce.doc.govt.nz

Mount Bruce Pioneer Museum, RD1, SH2, Mt Bruce, Masterton Displays of memorabilia from days gone by.
Ph +64 (06) 372 5859.
 

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