The rural Western Lake road, which connects the Remutaka Range to Lake Wairarapa, features lush green fields and mountains.

Idyllic countryside bordered by spectacular mountains and wetlands.

Just over an hour’s drive from Wellington, Western Lake Road cuts through an idyllic countryside between the Remutaka Range and Lake Wairarapa.

It takes just a few minutes in the car to get to Featherston and the train station. And less than half an hour to get to both Greytown and Martinborough.

The rural area features a popular cycleway and good hunting, fishing, and hiking spots.

The road skirts Lake Wairarapa, which formed following a sea-level rise some 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. Along with Lake Ōnoke, further south, the lakes make up Wairarapa Moana. This is the largest wetland complex in the southern North Island and a habitat of national importance for water and wader birds.

Traditionally, it was important to Māori as an area for gathering food and plant material.

Along the coastline towards Cape Palliser, walking tracks to the Putangirua Pinnacles offer spectacular views of Palliser Bay and Lake Ōnoke.

Location details

Jurisdiction South Wairarapa District Council
Permits required Yes, apply for a permit
Location descriptors Crops, fields, grassland, plains, hills, roads, scenic roads, swamps, marshes, wetlands, farmhouses, livestock, agriculture, countryside, farmland, pastures, meadows, farms, scenic views, country life, open spaces, lakes, 

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