Robin R.'s
The Wairarapa's Iconic Landmarks
- 19Castlepoint BeachMastertonYou see this iconic beach and lighthouse in postcards and all over instagram! It's definately an iconic landmark for the Wairarapa. A beautiful "insta" worthy beach that's an essential must see if you are in the area. People all over the country know this beach because of it's lighthouse, go and take a look!
- 25Tui BreweryMangatainokaIconic? Yes! World famous in New Zealand the Tui Brewery is a Kiwi icon in itself! You can take a tour, drink tui and eat in their cafe. No visit to Wairarapa is complete with out a visit here!
- 32Stonehenge AotearoaGladstoneThis is the only landmark of it's kind on this side of the world! This is a full scale Stonehenge, you can get a guided tour which I highly recommend, learn about how people used these amazing stone circles. It's a great way to get the kids excited about history and astrology too!
- 43Martinborough Wine ToursMartinboroughThe Wairarapa region is world famous for it's amazing wine, take a tour, have some tastings and learn all about this iconic vinyards. Meet some like minded wine loving people, meet the owners and winemakers and have an amazing wine filled day!
- 51Wairarapa Balloon FestivalMastertonWith events all over the Wairarapa this is an event you won't be able to miss, most of the events are free entry too. Watch the amazing hot air balloons lift into the sky. There is even a night show which will be awesome to watch!
Robin R.'s
Iconic Landmarks
- 11Te Apiti Wind FarmPalmerston North CentralYou don't fully appreciate the size of these windmills until you are up at the wind farm! They are magnificent feats of engineering that you really need to have a look at in person! Plus you can take in the amazing view from up on the hill!
- 21Palmerston North ClocktowerPalmerston North CentralAn iconic piece of Palmerston North architecture, it really comes alive at night with all the bright lights that change colour! Take the essential silhouette photos in front of it like all of us locals have done! You will also hear classical music playing from it during the day
- 31Coach House MuseumFeildingEveryone should visit The Coach House Museum, it offers a great insight into what life was like in New Zealand without modern technology and how we became world leaders in the rural sector. If the kids have an interest in farming or machinary this is a great place to visit as a family!
- 42Tokomaru Steam Engine MuseumTokomaruTokomaru is known for their steam engine museum and it definitely is one of the areas iconic attractions! It's something you must see at least once and the kids will really enjoy it too!
- 52Manawatu GorgePalmerston North CentralIf there is an iconic landmark of the area this is it! Such a beautiful surrounding, the gorge and the river right in the middle of the ranges. There are great bush walks so you can get an even better view and a look out point to take some amazing photos from!
Robin R.'s
Best Places to Explore Nature
- 11Fensham Reserve Bush WalkCartertonJust out of Carterton this walk is easy to get to and only takes about an hour. It's a mostly flat track about 5km long so it's a great spot for beginner walkers or going with the kids. Excersize doens't need to be boring!
- 23Riversdale BeachRiversdale BeachIf you really want to explore nature, here it is. The beach, the rock pools, you can see fish swimming in the sea around the rocks. You might even see a seal, but don't get too close they will bark at you! Remeber to observe not disturb and leave everything as you left it.
- 33Historical Tararua WalkMastertonBe one with nature, go exploring and smell the amazing fresh air. See the native bush, walk among the trees, and at the end of it have a spa over looking the amazing landscape. The perfect way to really see New Zealand!
- 43Ashhurst Domain & WetlandsAshhurstExplore the wetlands, take a walk while the kids play and enjoy every part of this setting. A great little slice of the nature experience if you aren't into bush walks and there is still a lot to see. Birds and other widlife love it here too!
- 52Wairarapa Quad AdventuresMartinboroughTake a quad bike tour or take part in their team building activities everyone will have a great time! You can even team it up with a rifle shoot and lunch at a nearby vineyard. Lots of fun and a great day of adventure!
Robin R.'s
Explore Nature
- 11Kahikatea WalkPohanginaThis is an easy 20 minute loop track that is great for the whole family. Get some fresh air, get moving and enjoy the nature of this beautiful area! Go bird spotting, take some photos and enjoy some family time outside!
- 21Horseshoe BendTokomaruOne of the best swimming holes in the Manawatu, well worth the drive out to Tokomaru! Heaps of great spots for all swimmers, the water is clean and has been given the green light by the council that it is safe for both people and animals to swim in! There are toilet facilities and space to have a picnic too so you can pack up and spend the whole day!
- 31Tarata FishawayPalmerston North CentralWhether you are a pro or a complete beginner they have the perfect fishing experience for you. Their fishing adventures take you to all the best spots, you can get all of their expert tips by going on one of their guided tours, a fishing camp out or even travel via helicopter and see all the local landscape before touching down and catching trout that the Rangitikei river is famous for.
- 41Flat Hills CafePalmerston North CentralThis cafe really has it all! The food and coffee is amazing and then there is the awesome playground for the kids and all of the animals to pet and look at! A great spot for a family lunch and then go and see Mandy the pig have a swim! There is also plenty of parking so if you are roadtripping in a camper it's a great place to take a break!
- 51Oroua RiverFeildingThere are some great swimming holes here, I remember swimming, cooking on a campfire and playing with the dogs down here when I was a kid and I still enjoy it now. It's one of those fun free things you can do with the whole family during the summer!
Robin R.'s
New Store Openings
- 11UntamedWoodvilleA possum fur factory shop newly opened in Woodville, here you will find so many possum fur products all made in their tannery next to the store! Beautiful throws that are so soft and sourced humanely from local hunters.
- 21Pahiatua Early LearningPahiatuaThis Early Learning center has so many amazing areas for the kids to play in. Great equipment and recources to help facillitate learning through play! Lovely teachers who are so knowlegable and caring towards all of the children and whanau!
- 31AMP WAI SPLASH Community PoolDannevirkeThis is such an asset for the community! Two indoor heated pools, one is a 25m length pool. Used by all the local schools for swimming sports and all the locals can enjoy swimming over the winter too!
- 41Red ChilliesPahiatuaAll of my local friends raved about this restaurant when it first opened and they weren't wrong! Tasty curries, huge samosas and great customer service. There aren't many options in Pahiatua other than fish and chips so this is a real treat!
- 51The Fox CottageWoodvilleThis is the newest little shop to pop up in Woodville. This little garden shed turned artisan store is filled with amazing handcrafted things from local artists and crafters. I purchased some amazing little soaps for Christmas presents and the recipients loved them! Don't miss this great little spot!
Robin R.'s
Newly Open
- 11Elyse Boutique JewellerFeildingThe great thing about visiting a manufacturing jeweller is that you can design the perfect piece with them to get exactly what you want. The range of jewellery that they create at Elyse is simply beautiful aswell so I totally recommend checking them out or giving them a call to arrainge your custom made piece.
- 21Decades FeildingFeildingI adore vintage clothing accessories. The workmanship and style is something you don't see anymore and I had such a great time browsing in Decades! They have such a huge range of quality vintage goodies that it's so hard to choose. One thing I love about shopping vintage is that there is no chance of someone else showing up in the same dress!
- 32I Scream For Ice CreamFeildingGoing in here makes you feel like you're stepping back in time to an old ice cream parlor or milk bar! They have a great range of ice cream and gormet icecream as well as lots of yummy milkshakes.
- 41Peter Andrews Furnishers LtdPalmerston North CentralWhile it's not a new business Peter Andrews has just opened their brand new store in Feilding! The new building is perfectly suited to their gorgeous modern and retro furniture styles. Beautifully styled in the store and helpful advice from people who know their products. So many things on my wish list!
- 51Furniture TreePalmerston North CentralA locally owned and operated business that only stocks exclusive lines. This means you won't find this stuff anywhere else! Beautiful timber furniture, beds, decor and everything you could need to furnish your home. I love this shop and visit regularly!