Wairarapa Off The Beaten Path Tips by vtveen

Palliser Lighthouse...steep, steep,steep

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

scenic drive along Palliser Bay

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.

Burnside Church

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.

Ngawi - last chance for a drink

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.