Featherston vacation rentals

Situated in the foothills of New Zealand’s Remutaka Range, at the southern end of the North Island, the town of Featherston (Paetūmōkai) has a varied landscape that includes lush, grassy plains and a rugged mountain range. Popular trails like the Remutaka Cycle Trail or the Featherston Limestone Cycle Track wind through the steep mountains north of the town, making Featherston a popular place to kick off a biking or hiking trip. Just to the south, the wetlands of Lake Wairarapa provide an entirely different experience, with fishing and birdwatching being common pastimes.

In the heart of Featherston, the Fell Locomotive Museum and the Featherston Heritage Museum shine a light on local history, from World War I and II artifacts to a unique locomotive. Featherston also has a number of independent bookstores, which has earned the small town a reputation among book lovers.

Late fall through early spring (May through September) is generally considered the best time to seek Featherston accommodation due to its snow-capped surroundings without freezing temperatures, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities like hiking and biking. While there tends to be significant year-round rainfall, the winter months of June through August are typically the driest time to visit. The temperatures rise in the summer months, and locals head to Lake Wairarapa to cool off, but you’ll need waterproof shoes and a jacket regardless of when you make the trip.

The nearby capital city of Wellington is home to numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, which begins in late February and runs for a month, spanning comedy shows, innovative musical performances, and augmented reality experiences. In March, Wellington hosts a waterfront music festival that features five stages of performance, carnival rides, and plenty of food and drink options.

Fell Locomotive Museum

In the heart of Featherston, the Fell Locomotive Museum is small, but it has a lot to offer in terms of historical importance. As the home to the only remaining steam-powered Fell locomotive in the world, the museum focuses on the area’s railway history and the struggles of dealing with the Rimutaka Incline — New Zealand’s steepest railway line. You can watch historic footage of the train in service in the 1940s, while photographs and exhibits surround the Fell locomotive with additional details.

Wairarapa Moana Wetlands

With the northern end of the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands located just five minutes south of Featherston, the town is an easy starting point for a bike ride through the wetlands. Fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching are popular in the area, with bird blinds set up in the lush vegetation to amplify your experience. This wetland region is the largest of its kind in the lower North Island.

Remutaka Cycle Trail

This scenic cycleway follows the Hutt River east from Petone, winds through Kaitoke, and skirts Lake Wairarapa on the way south to Orongorongo. You can take on the whole 70-plus miles, past vineyards in Martinborough and the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, or explore the shorter 11-mile Remutaka Rail Trail’s old bridges and tunnels 30 minutes west of Featherston. Be aware that it can be windy on exposed sections of the route, and be prepared to encounter the odd farm animal.