To say the weather has been mixed this summer is an understatement. We’ve had storms, we’ve had snow on the mountains at a time of year when there normally isn’t any, and yes, we have had a bit of sunshine too. Saturday was at least relatively fine, which was just as well as we had planned a trip out the coast to see the lighthouse at Castle Point.
This lighthouse was first lit in 1913, and was one of the last manned lighthouses in New Zealand. It is about an hour’s drive from Masterton, so staying in Greytown meant it was far more accessible than from Wellington (add on around another 90 minutes drive).
The lighthouse itself is easily accessible via a path that goes up and over the reef. From the lighthouse itself, there is a set of steps up to a viewing platform, from where the featured image at the top of the post was taken by my husband (while I stayed below and read about a unique little yellow flower to the area).
We stopped for lunch at the Whakataki Hotel (only $15 for a pretty decent lasagne with salad), before heading over to Tinui. Registered with Heritage New Zealand, Tinui is perhaps best known for being the first place to hold an Anzac Day service in 1916 in the Church of the Good Shepherd. A wooden cross was erected at the top of Mount Maunsell, which stood there until 1965, when it was replaced with an aluminium one. It is worth stopping off here if you are in the area, as there are some other old buildings to have a look at.
As no trip in the Wairarapa would be complete without a little wine tasting, we stopped off at the Johner Estate in Gladstone, picking up a bottle of their rosé and one of their chardonnay.
At the end of the day, we headed over to Aroma India, a cosy little BYOB Indian restaurant on the Main Street in Greytown, for an excellent meal with really good service. And that was Saturday.
Great shots! I love lighthouses. 🙂
Thanks!