There is no shortage of walkways in Featherston! There are four short Featherston Reserve walks that take you off the beaten track, ranging between 15 minutes and one hour.

The longest, Featherston Domain takes you up a steep track and provides some of the most picturesque views across the Wairarapa, and a breathtaking outlook over the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands. Ōtauira Reserve is on the right as you drive over the Remutaka Hill into Featherston. There is a short trail from here that takes you into Dorset Square. Ōtauira was the name of one of the waka (canoes) that was exchanged between chiefs from Ngāti Kahungunu and Rāngitane that enabled Ngāti Kahungunu to settle in the southern Wairarapa. 

Waiorongomai (the river of Rongomai) is adorned with stunning natural scenery and the reserve at Waiorongomai Valley is the perfect place to have a picnic. It has a beautifully peaceful large grassed area with trees, set back off the main road. The Waiorongomai River flows east from its sources in the Remutaka Forest Park to reach the southern end of Wairarapa Moana. 

The Lake Shore Scenic Reserve is the one and only place where you will see the convergence of forest clad mountains with the lake shore. The area is clothed mainly in black beech, titoki, and karaka.  

Getting there

Ōtauira Reserve is on the right as you drive over the Remutaka Hill , just before you arrive in Featherston.

Access to Wairarapa Lake Shore Scenic Reserve is 16km from Featherston along Western Lake Road. There is a carpark here with enough space for motorhomes, with a picnic shelter and toilet.

Waiorongomai picnic area is 18km from Featherston along Western Lake Road. If you cross the Waiorongomai Stream, you’ve gone too far. There is enough space for motorhomes.

Who lives here