If you're a cycling, railway or military enthusiast, you'll want to visit Featherston. This historic Wairarapa town has unique museums and great access to the region’s cycle trails.
Featherston is near the shores of Lake Wairarapa, and the gateway to the wild stretch of cliffs, rocks and water that is Palliser Bay. It’s one of the region’s highlights with an historic lighthouse, native fur seals and the Putangirua Pinnacles, which provided an eerie backdrop in Sir Peter Jackson’s The Return of the King movie.
Featherston is also home to the world’s only Fell Engine - a survivor from the days of the Remutaka Incline Railway. The town’s history is strongly linked to the railway and World War One but these days it’s the spot to rest, recover and refuel after biking the nearby Remutaka Cycle Trail, a ‘Great Ride’ on Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail.
The Wairarapa side of this ride takes in urban and rural landscapes with exceptional experiences on the historic Remutaka Rail Trail and the Wairarapa south coast.
Check out C’est Cheese(opens in new window) and check out Book Town.
