Wairarapa Things to Do Tips by vtveen

Just after leaving Ngawi (a fishermen village on Palliser Bay), still on the gravel road, you will encounter a large colony of New Zealand fur seals. There are seals on the rocks, on some sandy beaches and in the sea.

Stop your car, walk around and just enjoy these very friendly animals. You can see them, you may smell them and you could touch them (but don't do!!).

The way they are sleeping, yawning, playing in the sea, looking at you, it is so amazing, so pure. Fantastic !!!!!

Please don’t disturb this wildlife, so many people after you can also enjoy this unique spot.

For more information about New Zealand Fur Seals: www.pinnipeds.org/species/nzfursl.htm

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Directions: Pallisser Bay (near Ngawi), south of Martinborough

Just after the little village of 'Te Kopi' is a signpost to the ‘Putangirua Pinnacles’.
Park you car on the parking lot, put on some good footwear and follow the track. There should be two tracks to the Pinnacles, but when we visited this scenic reserve (just after the 2004 flooding) we only found one through the bed of the Putangirua Stream. And this meaned we had to do some river crossings.

Soon you will see the first pinnacles, but the scenery is growing more and more spectacular if you are going further. Follow the track (if visible) at a fork to the left, climb more and higher. The reward is fantastic. Suddenly you are surrounded by one of the most wild landscapes you can imagine.

We were feeling so tiny between all these huge pinnacles. What a fantastic scenery !!!

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Address: Putangirua Scenic Reserve
Directions: Palliser Bay, south of Martinborough

Martinborough is a little town with a couple of shops, hotels and restaurants, all more or less around the town square. Martinborough is famous for its great wines, nowadays there are about twenty wineries in or around this little township. Most famous is the Pinot Noir !!

We found a real rural pace without 'any' tourists; it is so touristy, we couldn't even find a postcard of the town!!

Martinborough is an ideal starting point for exploring the wild coast of the Palliser Bay. We had read and heard about the fur seal colony, but were very impressed of these cute animals lying on the rocks and playing in the sea just along the 'main' road. An absolutely MUST SEE if you are staying or visiting the town.

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Directions: Martinborough is situated about 1 hour drive from Wellington, just over the Rimutaka Range on SH 2.
Website: www.wairarapanz.com
Other Contact: www.martinborough.com

Greytown is the oldest town in the Wairarapa established by Senator George Grey in 1853.

Greytown has some old Victorian Buildings, most of them along the main street (SH2).
You will find also some unexpected craft-, antique- and giftshops.
The Cobblestones Museum shows some buildings and equipment from the early settlers' era.

After a coffee in The White Swan head for Carterton with the Paua Shell Factory Shop or to Martinborough with its famous wineries.

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Directions: along SH 2 between Wellington and Napier; just more than 1 hour drive from the capital