Wairarapa is a hot spot for odd, unusual and fascinating places to visit from Mataikona’s weird rock beaches to stark towering Putangirua rock pinnacles. You will be intrigued by Aotearoa’s Stonehenge and its attention to detail and the single purpose museums.
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NATURAL ROCK FORMS – MATAIKONA ROCKS
Visiting the Wairarapa’s top attractions, Castlepoint Scenic Reserve and Lighthouse keep going north for 15 minutes and explore a hidden gen, Mataikona Rocks. Striking, spine ridged rows of rocks of compressed sandstone are amazing. There are interesting rock pools for kids to explore.
Must go at low tide and the road is a winding gravel road from Castlepoint onwards to the settlement of Mataikona.
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PLAY GOLF AT CASTLE POINT GOLF COURSE
Nine hole golf course formed in 1969 with 29 acres purchased for just $7000, Castlepoint Golf Course is a great little course that welcomes people of all levels. Enjoy the fantastic views from the small well maintained golf course lovingly cared for by the local community.
Masterton/Castlepoint Road
Whakataki, RD 9
MASTERTON
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STONEHENGE
Well, it’s of modern construction materials yet it is a prime location for dark sky buffs and is beautifully aligned with the stars, planets and unknown objects in the heavens. To fully immerse yourself in the Stonehedge experience you do need a clear sky. The best time to visit is between December to March. Unmissable Stonehenge Aotearoa is New Zealand’s unique open air astronomical observatory, built following ancient knowledge of the stone circles and adapted to the conditions of New Zealand.
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SINGLE PURPOSE MUSEUMS
Wairarapa is a hot bed for single purpose museums
- Check out Featherston’s Fell Museum where a chunky sturdy train is the attraction
- Masterton, the home of the National Shearing Championships and its own narrative of the story of wool in New Zealand
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STARK, AUSTERE ROCK PUTANGIRUA PINNACLES
Where nature has sculptured over the millennium rock pinnacles creating an otherworldly landscape. The natural pinnacles were intriguing enough for Peter Jackson to use the location as a scene for Lord of the Rings. The Putangirua Pinnacles was the location to capture the Paths of the Dead in the third Lord of the Rings film, Return of the King. Tolkien film fans visit the area to immerse themselves in the stark landscape. You are walking in the shoes of Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas as they travel along the Dimholt Road to wake the army of the dead. You can walk further for excellent views of Palliser Bay and Lake Onoke – the shorter options are suitable for kids. Check out the Department of Conservation information beforehand. Pinnacles Track: Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, Wairarapa region.
Getting to Wairarapa odd, fascinating and unusual things to do
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