Putangirua Pinnacles
The Putangirua Pinnacles is one of the most incredible walks in the Wairarapa.
Walking & Trekking
Food in the Wairarapa
Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit
The Mt Holdsworth - Jumbo Circuit is a two to three day tramp to some of the best alpine tops travel in the Tararua Forest Park.
Totara Flats
Totara Flats Hut is a beautiful setting where the Waiohine River and Totara Creek meet.
Gentle Annie Loop Track
One of the most popular day trips in the park is the climb to Mountain House Shelter along the easy grade of the Gentle Annie Track.
Mount Holdsworth
Holdsworth is the main entrance to the eastern side of the Tararua Forest Park. Set against the backdrop of some of the highest peaks in the Tararua Range, Holdsworth offers short walks and longer tramps through attractive forest and higher up into the alpine environment.
Powell Hut at Mount Holdsworth
Powell Hut and Mount Holdsworth is a classic tramping route in the Tararua Range.
Tararua Forest Park
The Tararua Range provides Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Manawatu with an outstanding variety of tramping, hunting, rafting and walking opportunities in a wild, natural landscape.
At 116,535 hectares the Tararua Forest Park is the largest conservation park managed by the Department of Conservation in the North Island.
The main entrance on the Wairarapa, eastern side, of the Tararua Range is Mount Holdsworth near Masterton. Waiohine Gorge near Carterton is another popular gateway to south eastern Tararua Forest Park. On the Kapiti Coast, western side, the entrance is at Otaki Forks where multi day tramps traverse the ranges and arrive in the Wairarapa.
MOUNTAIN ALERTS should always be checked here before departing on a tramp into the mountains.
Hut Tickets are essential for an overnight stay in a back country hut. Purchase your hut tickets and hut passes from the Masterton isite Visitor Information Centre.
Topographical Maps of the back country are available at isite Visitor Information Centres.
Personal Locator Beacons effective to 62m and monitored by NZ Rescue Coordination Centre. Just $5 a day! Bookings essential +64 6 370 0155
The main tramping routes in the Tararua Ranges are:
Gentle Annie Loop Track is one of the most popular day trips in the park. The east grade of the Gentle Annie Track climbs past the Rocky Lookout, through the heartland of Pig Flat to Mountain House Shelter before descending onto the Donnelly Flat Loop Track to enjoy an interesting round trip with a range of forest walking.
Totara Flats is in a beautiful setting at the confluence of the Waiohine River and Totara Creek. Take advantage of the excellent swimming hole right in front of the hut.
Powell Hut and Mount Holdsworth climbs through beech forest that markedly reduces in stature as the bushline and Powell Hut are approached (1,200 metres). Reaching the summit of Mount Holdsworth (1,470 metres) gives a real sense of achievement and well worth a photo.
Mount Holdsworth Jumbo Circuit is a two to three day tramp involving a climb through beech-podocarp forest to some of the best alpine tops in the Tararua Forest Park.
Mitre Flats on the Barra Track is an excellent first tramp for families.
Waiohine Gorge is the start of several touring tramps and is a good alternative start point for Totara Flats.
White Water Rafting
You can also experience the thrill of rafting white water rapids on the Waiohine River with Wellington Rafting. Learn more here.
Rewanui Forest Park
Just 20 minutes from Masterton Rewanui Forest Park is a series of loop walks through significant native bush.
Fensham Reserve
Just outside of Carterton Fensham reserve is large loop track that takes you through towering native trees - great for families.
Carter Scenic Reserve
Follow the boardwalk through a recovering wetland and remnant of flooded forest at Carters Reserve just outside on Carterton.
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