Dargaville (more)
High: 18 Low: 8 Pack your tramping (hiking) boots and head to the southernmost point of the North Island to Cape Palliser, where you can climb to the top of the Cape Palliser lighthouse for spectacular views of the coast and South Island, see a breeding colony of fur seals and spend time exploring Aorangi Forest Park.
The remote and romantic coastline of Cape Palliser is rich in Maori and early European history and offers travellers a wonderful opportunity to explore an area of stunning natural beauty.
Cape Palliser Lighthouse – Climb up the 250 steps to this 18-metre high, candy-striped lighthouse and you'll be rewarded by wonderful views of the coast and the South Island. Since the steps replaced a steep, dangerous and sometimes deadly climb, Cape Palliser is now one of the most popular lighthouses in New Zealand (crowds, except of fur seals, are highly unlikely!).
Fur Seals – You may come across fur seals snoring by the roadside as you approach the largest breeding colony of fur seals in the North Island. Be careful not to come between them and their access to the sea – they're big and move fast.
Outdoor Activities – The Cape Palliser coastline can be explored by bicycle and is also a good area for fishing, surfcasting, diving, surfing and picnicking. It is not safe for swimming, however.
Aorangi Forest Park – Visit or stay in the Aorangi Forest Park and enjoy tramping (hiking), recreational hunting, walking, cycling, off-road driving and camping. Definitely spend time visiting some of New Zealand's most striking landforms located in the park including the bizarre weathered organ pipes of the Putangirua Pinnacles, Kupe’s Sail, and the coastal Whatarangi Bluff. Some of these locations were used in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
To help plan your holiday in the Cape Palliser and Wairarapa region, simply choose from the main categories below:
Home | About the Travel Guide | Advertise | Travel Enquiries | Useful Links | Disclaimer | Privacy & Security | Sitemap
©2012 New Zealand Tourism Guide.
Add a Site | Link to Us | Contact Us | NZ Tourism Newsletters | Business Centre | Booking Service | Advertise Staff | Tourism Businesses for Sale | NZTG YouTube | Tourism Web Awards | Affiliated Services
Awards & Membership: Tourism Awards | Fast500 | Hitwise | Telarc
Northland | Bay of Islands | Auckland | Coromandel | Bay of Plenty | Waikato | Rotorua | Eastland | Taupo | Ruapehu | Taranaki | Hawke's Bay | Wanganui | Manawatu | Wairarapa | Wellington
NZ Accommodation Guide | NZ Attractions Guide | NZ Tours Guide | NZ Transport Guide
Nelson | Marlborough | West Coast | Kaikoura | Christchurch | Canterbury | Mt Cook and MacKenzie Country | Wanaka | Queenstown | Otago | Dunedin | Fiordland | Southland
