Wairarapa Off The Beaten Path

  Seals near Cape Palliser
by salisbury3933
  • Seals near Cape Palliser
      Seals near Cape Palliser
    by salisbury3933
  • Coastline with seals
      Coastline with seals
    by salisbury3933
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by salisbury3933
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by salisbury3933
  •   Off The Beaten Path
    by salisbury3933

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Palliser Lighthouse...steep, steep,steep

by vtveen

At the end of the road along Palliser Bay you will find the Palliser Lighthouse, still into operation. It was staffed till 1986 and then it was automated.Very steep stairs with 258 steps will lead you to the red and white coloured lighthouse. Enjoy the view of the cliffs and coastline of Palliser Bay and across Cook Strait till the mountains of the South Island.Feel 'the end of the world'.See for official description: http://www.lighthouses.net.au/nz_lights/cape_palliser.htm

Cape Palliser lighthouse
scenic drive along Palliser Bay

by vtveen

From Martinborough drive to the south and just before reaching Lake Ferry turn off to the left to Cape Palliser (signposted). Suddenly the road will descend and reach the wild coast with views over Palliser Bay on your right and a spectacular landscape with the eroded and steep Whatarangi Bluff on your left hand side.

wild coast along Palliser Bay
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Cape Palliser

by salisbury3933

It's far from the beaten track, and the road there is unsealed in parts, but this is one place that's well worth a visit, with the wild coastline, seals and the lighthouse.There are around 250 steps to the top, but it's worth the climb for the views.

The lighthouse
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Lake Ferry

by salisbury3933

Down on the South Coast is Lake ferry, where the lake meets the rugged South Coast. In the past, before the road link from Wellington to Wairarapa was put through, a ferry was used to get cars to here, from where people could drive up into the Wairarapa.It's quite a scenic spot, as you can see. You can also see the South Island from here.

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Burnside Church

by vtveen

On the way from Martinborough to Lake Ferry and Palliser Bay we passed the Burnside Church, more or less in the middle of nowhere. We made a stop and looked around in this 140 years old wooden church.It is situated near the village of Pirinoa.

Burnside Church
Ngawi - last chance for a drink

by vtveen

Over a gravel road along Palliser Bay with some fords you will reach Ngawi: an old Maori fishermen village. Most remarkable are the tractors on the beach, colourful or corroded. They pull the boats of the fishermen in and out the sea.A little bit (to the left) from the main road lies a small tea-room for a last opportunity to have a drink or a snack before reaching the fur seals and the end of the road near the lighthouse.

Ngawi: Palliser Bay
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Seal Colony

by salisbury3933

In the area surrounding Cape Palliser, seals can be found in decent numbers. Pull up the car, and there they are.

Seals near Cape Palliser

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Wairarapa Off The Beaten Path

Reviews and photos of Wairarapa off the beaten path posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Wairarapa sightseeing.
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