Featherston

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MHF Towns South Wairarapa District Council
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A beacon for literary lovers, Featherston sweeps gracefully off the Remutaka Hill and into the Wairarapa valley.

As New Zealand’s only official Booktown, it’s packed with cosy bookstores and hosts the annual Featherston Karukatea Booktown Festival - a lively celebration of writers, books, illustrations, workshops, poetry, theatre and rare and second-hand treasures.

Beyond books, Featherston is full of charm, with vintage and second-hand stores, great coffee, and inviting eateries. And yes - there’s cheese. Really good cheese. Treat yourself at C’est Cheese, an artisan deli featuring handcrafted New Zealand cheeses and their own Remutaka Pass Creamery range.

Featherston is also the natural starting point for the Remutaka Cycle Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Rides (Ngā Haerenga), offering easy access to the historic Remutaka Rail Trail that winds through tunnels and over ridges between Cross Creek and Kaitoke.

Top Attractions
C’est Cheese - An artisan deli specialising in New Zealand cheeses, including local favourites from Remutaka Pass Creamery. https://cestcheese.co.nz/

Fell Locomotive Museum - Home to the world’s only surviving Fell engine, plus an incline brake van and fascinating Incline-era memorabilia. https://wairarapanz.com/products/fell-locomotive-museum

Featherston Heritage Museum - Telling the story of the historic military camp and its role as a World War II prisoner-of-war site. https://featherstonheritagemuseum.com/

Nearby Attractions
Tauherenikau Racecourse - Just minutes from town, this beautiful venue hosts equestrian events and jet-boating and is a favourite for motorhomers thanks to its spacious, park-like grounds.

Lake Wairarapa & Wairarapa Moana Wetlands - The largest wetland area in the lower North Island, rich in wildlife and ideal for birdwatching. Te Rakau Birding offers guided experiences.

South Coast Adventures - Featherston is a gateway to Lake Ferry, Cape Palliser, the Ngawi fishing village, fur seal colonies, surf beaches, and spectacular coastal scenery steeped in Māori history.

Cycle Trails
Remutaka Cycle Trail - Join one of New Zealand’s Great Rides right from town, exploring rural landscapes, the Remutaka Rail Trail, and the rugged south coast.

Remutaka Rail Trail - Follow the old railway line from Featherston to Cross Creek on an off-road limestone path, through tunnels and across historic railway formations.

South Wairarapa District Council, 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough, Ph: 06 306 9611