"Wairarapa -on the East Coast of the Nth Island" Wairarapa by Kurimoana

If you want complete peace and privacy ,away from it all ,on a rugged wild coast of the Pacific ,then, this is for you.
Spend a few days, a week or.... recommended to completely unwind.
Spectacular 3 kms of beautiful beach. A seal colony a short distance away. Maybe just look out at the ocean.....hence the name Lookout Cottage.

Rock formations on the beach near Flat point

A log fire, good music(take your own),good food (self catering,ie take your own food) and a glass of NZ or Australian wine(include that on the list of what to take)
The two dogs went too......and collapsed in front of the fire after a long walk on the beach in a fresh cool northerly breeze.August is still winter in NZ.
Long beach walks, reading by the fire...or cooking ......
Don't forget you will need to take your food and refreshments and stock up on petrol...you are long long way from any local store or petrol

Weird conical hills near Gladstone

About 2 hours drive from Wellington. An interesting drive too...north on State Hwy 2, over the Rimataka Range on a winding road and up to Carterton then across to Gladstone towards the East Coast of the lower Nth Island.Through a thick pine forest then on to a dirt road and eventually to Flat Point Station established in the 1800's and then to Caledonia Station. A "station"in NZ and Aust means a large sheep and or cattle property.

• Pros:only "over the hills" from Wellington
• Cons:can't think of any
• In a nutshell:www wild wonderful Wairarapa