Swimming

Swimming at Castlepoint

When it’s hot in the Wairarapa you just have to take the plunge!  These are some top Wairarapa swimming spots - including a few hidden gems.

Check out Water Safety NZ to stay safe in the water, and be sure to check the mountain forecast as rain can make river levels rise suddenly.

Check water quality here - this website is updated daily. 

If you’re looking for family-friendly swimming in the sea, you can't go past a daytrip to Castlepoint and Riversdale.

Masterton and close by
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  • Trust House Recreation Centre
    Indoor and outdoor pools for fun swimming all year round. Genesis in Masterton has an indoor hydro slide, river ride and spa, and outdoor speed slides.
  • Double Bridges 
    Just north of Masterton, on SH2 just after Opaki, turn right onto Bluff Kaiparoro Road. Go over the railway lines and the road bridge (with the rail bridge beside you - hence Double Bridges) and turn right into Bluff Rangitumau Road and staright away right through the gate. Lay around in the gentle rapids under the bridges or jump off the rocks just downstream into the deeper water of the Ruamahanga River before it hits the towns.
  • Black Rock Road
    Take Te Ore Ore Road at the north end of Masterton and head past Henley Lake. Take a left onto Te Ore Ore Bideford Road and another left onto Black Rock Road. The swimming hole is 2-3km from the turn-off.
  • Kaituna 
    This popular local spot is at the end of Upper Plain Road. At the fork in the road take the left hand option. Take care as the road turns to gravel. Park at the very end of the road and you're meters from the highest cliff jump in the Wairarapa; and there's lower jump options for beginners. And there’s a dairy on your way back into town - the perfect ice cream stop.
  • Kokotau Reserve
    Kokotau Reserve on Kokotau Road is a small parking area with access to the Ruamahanga River. After your swim, call in to Stonehenge Aotearoa for an evening of stargazing.
  • The Cliffs
    The Cliffs on Dakins Road is right by the picturesque site of the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival and only 15mins from Masterton - the perfect way to cool of on a hot day.
Carterton and close by
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  • Carterton Swimming Pool 
    On Pembroke Street in central Carterton, the three outdoor pools, a fun and colourful new slide and a fair bit of shade for young swimmers and parents make it a great, cheap cooling off option. Carterton Swimming Pool is free to use. Check out their opening hours here.
  • Waiohine Gorge 
    Enjoy the views from the massive swing bridge, waterfall to stand under and easy swimming sections of the river. The water's clean and clear coming straight off the mountains, great for cooling you off after a walk along one of the tracks out that way. Follow the signs from SH2 between Carterton and Greytown.
Greytown and close by
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  • Greytown Swimming Pool
    Next to Greytown Park in Kuratawhiti Street are the Greytown Memorial Baths, fantastic to enjoy in the brilliant summer sunshine. Greytown Swimming Pool is free to use. Check out their opening hours here.
  • Gladstone Public Reserve
    Gladstone Public Reserve is on Gladstone Road, opposite the The Gladstone Inn. Plan a refreshing swim before a lovely lunch or dinner at The Gladstone Inn, or bring a picnic. There are two eco-friendly long drop toilets there too!
  • Goose Neck
    Turn right off Main Street into Humphrey Street, and drive about 5 mins past Woodside Station to the carpark at the end of the road, where you'll find a deep pool on the corner of two rivers, popular with locals.
  • Morisons Bush
    Drive to the end of Morisons Bush Road, on your way from Greytown to Martinborough, to the banks of the Ruamahanga River with stands of native manuka trees that provide welcome shade.
  • Waiohine Bridge
    The road has washed out which means an easy 15 minute walk from the current road-end. But it's worth the walk for the massive swing bridge, waterfall to stand under and easy swimming stretch of river. The watre is clean and clear coming straight off the mountains, which is great for cooling off after a walk on one of the local tracks. Follow the signs from SH2 between Greytown and Carterton.
Martinborough and close by
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  • Martinborough Swimming Pool
    Princess Street is home to Centennial Park, Martinborough and within these grounds are the Martinborough Swimming Pools. Martinborough Swimming Pool is free to use. Check out their opening hours here.
  • Ruamahanga River
    Turn left just before the main bridge heading out of Martinborough and drive down the track to the river. Popular with jet boaters and jet skiers, but also great for swimming.
Featherston and close by
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  • Bucks Road Campsite
    Find this swimming spot on Bucks Road, next to the campsite above the Tauherenikau River set in regenerating bush. Walk the Tauherenikau Gorge track then cool off with a swim in the river. 
  • Featherston Swimming Pool 
    On Johnston Street in Featherston is the Featherston Community Outdoor Pool open over the summer period. Featherston Swimming Pool is free to use. Check out their opening hours here.
  • Tauherenikau River
    A wonderful natural swimming hole on the Tauherenikau River is at the end of the Tauherenikau Gorge with a sandy beach with rock jumping into a deep hole. The river winds through this area so no matter which way the wind is blowing there is a great picnic spot with some easy wading. Just 15 minutes from Featherston, via Wakefield Street, Underhill Road then Bucks Road to the end.