Castlepoint

Those who want to explore a little more of the Wairarapa’s rugged and sparsely populated hill country should consider making an excursion from Masterton to Castlepoint on the coast. The road goes via Tauweru and Tinui, a distance of 41 miles (66km).

The first thing visitors will notice about this little seaside settlement is the lighthouse, built in 1913 and one of the tallest in the country.. There is good swimming in a sheltered lagoon known as the ‘Basin’ and even a golf course.

The annual race meeting, held in March on the sandy beach, has a tradition reaching back to last century. As there is accommodation (motel, camping grounds) and a store, Castlepoint would be a nice,
if very remote, place to escape the tourist crowds.