With kids now on school break, we thought we’d share some fun-tastic ideas to keep children entertained and parents sane. Check out this handy activity guide of things to do in South Wairarapa.

Be captivated with a Cape Palliser day trip

Seals, stunning walks, and an epic lighthouse – you’ll find them all at Cape Palliser. Enjoy the sea views as you drive around the rugged coast to see the seals. Stop off in Ngawi for fish and chips or ice cream along the way. Then climb the lighthouse and count the stairs!

Play (or drink coffee) in our parks and reserves

Why not hit up your favourite cafe with your keep cup and head to one of our awesome parks and reserves. We have over 20 to choose from! Visit Martinborough’s Memorial Square and the Waihenga Playground, Soldiers Memorial Park in Greytown, or Dorset Square with its native trees and commemorative plaques in Featherston. Check out our website for more green spaces.

Go bird watching at Wairarapa Moana

Covering over 9,000 hectares, Wairarapa Moana has lots to see and do around the wetlands – walking, cycling, camping and birdwatching. There are several walks ranging from about 20 minutes to two hours.

Check out the activities at our libraries

South Wairarapa libraries in Featherston, Greytown and Martinborough will be hosting pop-up activities free for children and caregivers to enjoy together. The activities are available weekdays 10am-4pm, while stocks last. Events include making paper cup claw machines, bookmarks, lavender sleep balm, and building with bricks. Visit the Wairarapa Library Service website to see the calendar of what’s on and where or follow the library Facebook page.

Explore our trails with walking shoes or wheels

The South Wairarapa has plenty of places to explore on foot or by bike! Stroll or roll the Greytown to Woodside Trail along the historic railway line or discover the Remutaka Cycle Trail with 115km to traverse. See more walking and cycling ideas here.

Head over the Tauwharenikau Bridge

One of the longest cycle path suspension bridges in the country, the Tauwharenikau Bridge crosses the Tauherenikau River, enabling users to travel safely from Featherston to Woodside in Greytown, without competing with heavy traffic on State Highway 2. The Tauwharenikau trail can be access from Clifford Park in Featherston or the trail connects to the Greytown to Woodside Rail Trail in Greytown.

Visit the Martinborough Story Walk

Check out the Martinborough StoryWalk® at Considine Park. A StoryWalk® is a popular concept overseas which aims to combine physical exercise, nature and a love of reading. Using a series of posts, it tells a story along an established walkway page by page. The current book on show is E Oma, Rāpeti | Te Rehi (Run, Rabbit | The Race).

Picnic at the Pinnacles or Lake Ferry

Pack a blanket and basket of kai and head to the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve for a picnic. Lake Ferry is another great option with breathtaking views and a playground.

Enjoy Featherston’s renewed Joy Cowley Playground

Featherston’s beloved Joy Cowley Playground has reopened following a refresh themed around some of Joy Cowley’s much-loved books. The upgrade addressed several health and safety issues and improved accessibility and introduced some fun new features including hidden Greedy Cat items to discover!

Ride the Cross Creek mini train

Did you know there was a miniature railway at Clifford Square in Featherston? Operating on most fine days, the railway is over the road to the Joy Cowley Playground and near the Wind-Grass, a remarkable kinetic sculpture by artist Konstantin Dimopoulos.

Browse the many bookshops in Featherston

For its size and population, Featherston has more bookstores than anywhere else in Aotearoa. In the last five years, since it declared its intention to become New Zealand’s first Booktown, Featherston has grown to include eight bookstores. Take the whānau to browse the shelves and pick up your next holiday read. See the Featherston Booktown website for bookshops to visit.

See the cherry blossoms at Sakura Garden

The Sakura Garden is near Tauherenikau, between Featherston and Greytown on SH2. Located next to the Featherston Military Camp Memorial, it commemorates 48 Japanese prisoners of war who lost their lives during an incident at the camp in 1943. The park was created by a Japanese philanthropist. See the cherry blossoms blooming in Spring.

Make history come alive at our museums

Did you know we had museums in every South Wairarapa town? In Greytown there’s Cobblestones with its heritage buildings, including the first Wairarapa church and public hospital! In Featherston you are spoilt for choice with Featherston Heritage Museum and the Fell Locomotive Museum. Then there’s the Martinborough Museum, in the town’s original public library.

Get pumped at the Martinborough Pump Track

Grab your skates and get to the Martinborough Pump Track. A community-driven project, the track was opened earlier this year at Considine Park next to the outdoor pool.

Set your sights on the stars

Wairarapa has official Dark Sky Reserve status, meaning our night sky is among the best places in the world to view the never-ending star filled skies above. If the kids are up late, head into your backyard for some stargazing.