Pounui Lagoon and Ōnoke Spit

Pack a picnic for a stop at Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve, part way down the western shore of Lake Wairarapa. Take a pair of binoculars and walk or kayak for some excellent bird watching at Pounui Lagoon. 

Access to Ōnoke Spit (a 3km stretch) is just a few kilometres further south. There are more wetland birds to be observed at Kiriwai Lagoon (next to the car parking area) or shorebirds along the Spit.

Lake Ferry and Ōkorewa Lagoon

An unsealed road beyond the Lake Ferry Hotel leads to a lagoon for a short walk or bird watching, to the beach for fishing or longer walks (3km east to Whangaimoana Beach, or west across to Ōnoke Spit if the outlet is closed).

Boggy Pond and Wairio wetland

Take a peaceful walk along the stopbank tracks around Boggy Pond, the north east end of Wairio wetland, or along the lake shore beyond Wairio wetland. Listen and look for birds along the way, or take your binoculars to do some observing from the bird hide at Boggy Pond (800m from the car park) or from the brush hide at the lake shore (1200m towards the lake shore from Boggy Pond car park).