A beacon for literary lovers, Featherston sweeps gracefully off the Remutaka Hill and into the Wairarapa valley.

As New Zealand’s only official Booktown, you’ll find lots of cosy bookstores, plus the annual Featherston Karukatea Booktown Festival. With the train station close by, you can walk into town, browse the vintage and second-hand stores, grab a coffee, and pick up cheese from C’est Cheese on Featherston’s main street.

History fans will enjoy the Fell Locomotive Museum and the Featherston Heritage Museum.

You can cycle all the way to Featherston on the Remutaka Cycle Trail, one of New Zealand’s Great Rides - Ngā Haerenga. Cycling tours and transfers can also be arranged.