Castlepoint, Tinui and Riverdale

Over to the east of Wellington and the Wairarapa is the Pacific Ocean: but the hills get in the way and there are no tarmac roads, so the coast is hard to reach. Thankfully a little to the north is Castlepoint (which is gorgeous) and Riversdale (which is basically a caravan park.) On the way is the tiny little village of Tinui. Tinui is proud of being the first Kiwi community to sign up and send men to fight in the first world war - and it still remembers its connection to Gallipoli.

Castlepoint not only has gorgeous scenery; it also has a lovely and famous lighthouse. It's all well worth a visit, despite the long journey to get here and back.