Attractions

NATURAL / SCENIC

Alfredton Domain
Location: State Highway 52, Alfredton
A pretty picnic spot under the trees, toilets and water available. Overnight camping is allowed, a donation appreciated.
Alfredton Domain Board
Chairperson: Nick Nelson, ph (06) 375 8440
Secretary: Tom Sims, ph (06) 375 8556

Camping Ground Reserve
The camping ground has road access from Stout Street which is off Stanly Street, Eketahuna. It is a pretty spot with mature trees surrounded by a loop of the Makakahi River. There are many picnic spots and easy access to the river which under normal conditions is perfect for paddling and swimming. For details on cabins and sites, look under 'Accommodation'.

Cliff Walk
The historic cliff walk, opened in 1911, begins by the bridge on Bridge Street, Eketahuna. It is a pretty, scenic walk along the cliff above the Makakahi River. Approximately 15 minutes easy walking brings you to a junction with Stanly Street, another 15 - 20 minutes walk takes you to the Eketahuna Camping Ground. You can return by the same track or follow the road from the camping ground, along Stanly Street and back to town.

Cliff Walk

WA Miller Scenic Reserve

Miller's Reserve
W.A. Miller Scenic Reserve is approximately 8.5 km south of Eketahuna on State Highway 2, where a small pocket of bush has been reserved for public enjoyment. You can stop for a picnic or you might like to follow the loop track which is an easy walk of approximately 20 minutes passing through the bush and by the river returning to the rest area where you started from.

Mount Bruce Lookout Walk
Allow an hour to reach the lookout where you will have a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. This track is quite steep in places and good walking shoes are advisable and perhaps a drink. Coming down the same way can take a lot less time, perhaps half an hour.
There are other longer forest walks leading from this track, and also pest eradication in progress, so make sure children are supervised at all times.
Directions: The Mt. Bruce Lookout walk can be accessed through the Pukaha Mt Bruce Visitor centre (please note there is a charge to enter the park, see Pukaha Mt Bruce Wildlife Park below).

Mt. Bruce Lookout

Newman Domain

Newman Domain
Newman Domain is a pretty spot by the Makakahi River with a large grass area, bush and trees, ideal for picnics and swimming. Visit by prior arrangement, owing to stock grazing.
Directions: Heading north out of Eketahuna, turn right down Higginson's Road just before the new bridge. Go to the end of this road where there is a gate, just through this gate on the right is the entrance.
Newman Domain Board
Chairperson: John Duffy, ph (06) 375 8385
Secretary: Bruce McKisack, ph (06) 375 8008

Tararua Forest Park
Walking, tramping, fishing, hunting approximately 20 km west of Eketahuna township.
There is access to the Tararua Forest Park at the end of the scenic Putara Road. Turn down Bridge Street in the centre of Eketahuna township, follow till it turns into High Street, travel up High Street about 1 km then turn right at Septimus Street (sign posted to Putara). Follow the main Nireaha Road until you come to the junction with Priests Road, here go straight ahead down Priests Road unit you get to the T junction, turn left here into Putara Road. This road soon turns to gravel so drive carefully till you reach its end, there you will find a parking area and the entrance to the Tararua Forest Park.

There is a fantastic network of tramping tracks and huts that run through the whole of the Tararua Ranges. Of course you will need to be experienced and well prepared and perhaps have a guide to embark on a major tramp or expedition, but a short walk into the bush here for a picnic or a swim is possible for most.

Good footwear is recommended as the track can be muddy and uneven. Follow the track for about 10 minutes and you will reach the first swing bridge, cross carefully and follow the track, to the left, through the bush for about another 30 minutes and you will reach the second larger swing bridge. This is often a good place to turn back because on the other side of this bridge the track becomes very steep and more difficult, climbing uphill for about 2 hours until you reach the Herepai hut.

Always be well prepared when entering the bush and supervise children carefully, as some areas are steep, be prepared to turn back if the track has been damaged or it is unclear, as bad weather can easily affect the tracks with slips etc.

For more information on the Tararua Forest Park tracks and huts etc. visit www.doc.govt.nz.

Mark Dimock Gallery Location: 87 High Street, Eketahuna Phone: (06) 375 8213 Fax: (06) 375 8217 Email: dimock@xtra.co.nz Web: www.bumpkin.co.nz Open: from 10am 7 days. The gallery may, very occasionally, be closed if we are out of town. Ring first if making a special trip.

Contemporary artist - painter, sculptor and carver. Visit Mark's gallery and view his latest works, exciting original paintings and sculptures, carvings of native birds, fish and animals. Most of Mark's work is made from recycled timbers and steel. Visitors are welcome.

Horse Riding from Edan Log House
Location: 533 Mangaroa Road, RD6, Eketahuna
Ph/Fax: (06) 375 8086
Web: www.beds-n-leisure.com
Venture into the hills on horseback with Ann and you will be treated to magnificent views over the Atea Valley and beyond. Trips arranged on request.

Hunting & Fishing from Edan Log House Location: 533 Mangaroa Road, RD6, Eketahuna Ph/Fax: (06) 375 8086 Web: www.beds-n-leisure.com Eddie has a lifetime of experience in hunting and fishing. Trips arranged on request.

Middleton Model Railway & Cwmglyn Farm
Directions: Approximately 8 km south of Eketahuna turn right (going south) off State Highway 2 onto South Road No 2, then left into Morgans Road.
Hosts: Colin and Biddy Fraser-Davies Cwmglyn
Location: 36 Morgans Rd, RD2, Eketahuna
Phone: (06) 375 8634
Fax: (06) 375 8630
Email: fraser-davies@infogen.net.nz                             Web:www.modelrailway.co.nz
Charges: Adult $5 Children $2 Family $10 (2 adults plus however many children).
Displays of one of the largest model railways in NZ. Also "Cottage" industry cheese making and a display of enamel art work. Handmade cheeses and butter for sale. Open every weekend and on public holidays 11am to 4pm or by special arrangement. Special opening minimum charge $20.

Cwmglyn Farm Cheese & Enamel Artwork

Middleton Model Railway

Eketahuna & Districts Early Settlers' Museum

Kaiparoro Historic House Museum Location: Approximately 9.5 km south of Eketahuna on State Highway 2 (follow signs on road to New Pacific Studio) Director: Dr. Kay Flavell Postal: Mt Bruce, RD1, Masterton Phone: (06) 375 8441 Fax: (06) 375 8461 Email: newpacifcstudio@xtra.co.nz

Web :www.newpacificstudio.org

The Kaiparoro Historic House Museum is open for 45 - minute guided tours on Fridays - Sundays from 2 - 4 pm. It is located in the historic concrete villa of Normandell, which was built in 1911 for Yorkshire clockmaker Christopher Burton. The property remained in the Burton family for eighty years. It now houses New Pacific Studio an international residency programme for artists, writers and environmentalists. It also acts as an archive for the local community, with a special focus on the communities of Kaiparoro, Rongokokako and Eketahuna.

The house and cottage have been renovated in recent years and now offer a unique combination of historic features, including a loft, library, children's workshop and play area, a walk-in concrete and iron safe, and a Norwegian style cottage with sauna. The 5 acre grounds are being revegetated with native plants.

Story boards offer
*Kaiparoro Stories (of local families, sawmill, school, etc )
*Stories of the ANZAC Memorial Bridge
Visitors are also invited to add their own stories to our Little Hand Museum. Draw around your hand, record notes on today's journey and your life journey in response to a question sheet.

Cost $10 adults, $8 seniors, free to children. Includes afternoon tea.
Parking in driveway. Free year-round to Friends of the ANZAC Memorial Bridge in return for a $10 annual membership fee.

Otapawa Garden, Campervan and Caravan Facilities
Host: Mrs Marlene Robbie
Location: Otapawa, RD3, Haunui, Tiraumea
Phone: (06) 376 7250 or (06) 376 7765
E-mail:  Otapawa_Md@xtra.co.nz
Open: November to March, 10am-4pm. Visits by prior arrangement.
Otapawa is a large rural garden including a pond, gazebo, established trees, extensive lawns and gardens. Buxus hedging surrounds much of the garden which is filled with camellias, roses and perennials. 20 bed Accommodation.  Farm experience and seasonal farm activities.  Bush walks.  Tennis Courts and Swimming baths nearby.

Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre
Location: 11km south of Eketahuna on State Highway 2
Phone: (06) 375 8004
Email: info@mtbruce.org.nz
Web: www.mtbruce.org.nz
Times: open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 4.30pm.

• Explore primeval rainforest and discover some of our most threatened wildlife at Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre
• Experience kiwi country with the kiwi nocturnal house, home to two North Island brown kiwi
• See monster eels devour tasty morsels every day at 1.30pm and hear about their trip to Tonga to breed
• Check out the antics of the cheeky kaka every day at 3pm as they swoop into feed stations to feast on gourmet delights
• Have a close encounter with New Zealand's oldest living reptile, the tuatara at 12.15pm during weekends and public holidays (depending on weather conditions).
• Savour light meals, espresso and the ambience of Café Takahe whilst looking out to the panorama of the forest
• For an informative and entertaining look at Pukaha Mount Bruce 'behind the scenes,' be guided by one of our experienced DOC rangers.

Playground
Location: Bridge Street, Eketahuna
Children's playground, small skate park and picnic tables. Handy to Main Street and Swimming Pool.

Eketahuna Swimming Pool
Summer swimming at the open air pool located near the centre of town, on Bridge Street. There is one large 25m pool, a smaller learners' pool and a toddlers' pool. The pools are solar heated and there are big floaties and balls for children to play with.
Children under 8 years old must have an adult to supervise them.
Opening times: 3-6pm on school days and 1-6pm weekends and school holidays
Entry fees: adult $2, child (under 18) $1, pre-school child 50c
Season pass: adult $30, child $20, family $60
Enquiries: Eketahuna Service Centre, ph (06) 375 8149

Trout Fishing Eketahuna is well known for good trout fishing. There are many easily accessible fishing spots. Here are some places to access the local rivers: Eketahuna Camping Ground, Newman Domain, Putara Road, Mangaroa Road. Don't forget you must have a licence to fish for trout.These can be obtained from the Eketahuna Kiwi Country Information Centre, open 10 am - 4 pm every day. For more information on fishing seasons and licences, contact Fish and Game New Zealand, ph (04) 477 6118.

Putara Valley

Waieka Gardens Hosts: Joy and Bruce Cole Location: 71 Stanly Street, Eketahuna Phone: (06) 375 8136 A beautiful and extensive country garden to visit and enjoy. Visitors welcome by arrangement, a gold coin donation is appreciated.

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