Fell Locomotive Museum
On the 3rd of November 1955 the Rimutaka Tunnel was opened. At this ceremony
Fell engine No# 199 was presented to the Mayor of Featherston as a memorial
to those who had operated the Rimutaka Railway Incline for 77 years.
In August 1958 this locomotive was placed on a concrete base in the
children's playground at Featherston. It remained there unprotected, exposed
to the weather and vandals.
In August 1980 the Friends of the Fell Society was incorporated. It was
formed by volunteers anxious to preserve the world's only remaining Fell
engine. The group had two objectives, to restore and to house the loco.
These engines were unique as they ran on 3 rails, using a raised center rail
to gain extra traction to climb the steep includes. The average grade of the
Rimutaka Include was a climb on 1 meter in every 15 meters. Restoration in
the playground commenced in March 1981, and over the following 3 years, 12
tons of parts were removed for restoration and to lighten the engine for
lifting. In the meantime, other Society members had raised finance to erect
a single room building in 1983.
The great day came on 10 March 1984 when the engine was lifted and carried
to the museum. For the next 5 years the building was a workshop, with a
bench on which were vices, buff and wire wheels, and other equipment needed
in the restoration, gas bottles and welding torches on a trolley and many
tools on the wall. The restoration of the tanks and cab were done at the
former dairy company at South Featherston. In 1986 the foyer was added to
the Museum.
The restoration was completed on 31 March 1989, with the fitting of the
brass acorn on the steam dome. Nine thousand hours of labour had been
donated. H199 was re-commissioned on 16 April 1989, and at this ceremony,
the restrooms and personalities room were opened.
In June 1995 the only remaining Rimutaka Include Fell brake van, F210,
arrived at Featherston from MOTAT, Auckland. It was in a decrepit state and
restoration commenced immediately in the Batavian Rubber Factory, Birdwood
Street, Featherston. 1500 hours of labour were donated.
The final addition was completed in 1996, with a 50 seat video room, brake
van display, Cross Creek model, and tablet machines on the ground floor.
Displays on the mezzanine floor include a model of the Summit yards.
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The Cross Creek Railway Company
The "Cross Creek Railway Company" delights children and adults alike with
its miniature Fell Engine, which operates from the Cross Creek Station in
Birdwood Street. Reflecting the colourful and unique railway history of
Featherston, the miniature train is an added attraction for the many
tourists who visit the original Cross Creek railway village site and the
Featherston Fell Museum.
This community project was developed by the Featherston Miniature Fell
Society Inc. and relies on volunteers to run the train. It is a separate
initiative from the Featherston Fell Museum.
Professionally built to Fell Engine plans, the engine runs on petrol, and
pulls carriages on a 7.25 inch gauge track, around Clifford Square. It is
available for rides for both children and adults.
The train operates on Sundays and Public Holidays, between 1pm and 3.30pm,
weather permitting. Tickets are available at the station.
The train and all facilities are also available for private hire by the
hour. Rates are very reasonable and cover the cost of staff and equipment to
operate the train.
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Lake Wairarapa
Lake Wairarapa is situated south of Featherston and forms the largest
wetland complex in the southern half of the North Island. It is a large
lake, more than 18km long and 6km across at its widest point, and has a
surface area of approximately 7870ha. Normally the lake does not exceed 2.5m
in depth. In the north and west the lake shore shelves quickly into deeper
water, whereas the eastern shore consists of marshland and sand flats which
are alternately flooded and exposed for distances up to 1km. Ponds and
swampland lie adjacent to the northern and eastern shore. Eighty species of
bird have been recorded from the lake's wetlands. Several species of fish
including flounder, brown trout and eel are abundant.
Recreation
Access to Lake Wairarapa for the general public is mainly at the Wairarapa
Lake Domain on the northern shore and the scenic reserve on the western
shore. Recreational finishing, picnicking, camping, yachting and power
boating are largely confined to these areas. On the eastern shore and
adjacent ponds the major activity occurs in May and June when over five
hundred duck hunters visit the area. Numerous hides and maimais are
scattered in the lake shallows and pond margins as a result of this pastime.
Occurring in the same areas is a limited amount of ornithological and
botanical study. There is also horse riding on the late flats.
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Wairarapa Racing Club
The Wairarapa Racing Club, which has its headquarters in Featherston, was
formed in 1890 when the Wairarapa Jockey Club and the South Wairarapa Racing
Club amalgamated. Before that date the Jockey Club had been in existence
many years. It was started in the 1840', so the Wairarapa racing Club is
thus the offshoot of one of the oldest racing clubs in New Zealand - if not
the oldest.
The early race meetings were held in various places in the lower valley,
Tuhitarata on the Wharekaka Plain, and on Waihenga Flat. Although prior to
1864 the racing was conducted by what was called "The Wairarapa Jockey Club"
it was not until 1864 that the club was regularly constituted.
In 1860 the "Wairarapa Jockey Club" held a meeting on the Moroa Plain, and
continued to race there until 1870, and from that year the club held no more
meetings until 1874.
In 1865, Mr. Robert Rowe, who was the leasing the Tauherenikau Hotel and
Ferry Reserve, considered that if the reserve could be converted into a
racecourse, it would be good not only for his hotel but for the district as
a whole. When the work of fencing and forming the course was completed in
1874 the first meeting was held in the same year. Racing continued at Tauherenikau until 1885 when problems with the river forced the club to move
to Greytown and race on land leased from a Mr. Kempton. After several
meetings it was found that the move was not a success financially.
At this time there were two other racing clubs in the area, the Featherston
Hack Racking Club racing on November 9th at Gum Grove, and the South
Wairarapa Racing Club, racing on January 1st. Negotiations between the two
clubs brought the amalgamation in 1890.
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Main road through the Featherston
Military Camp |
Military Camp
Purpose built to house and train soldiers for action in
WWI, the military camp 2kms north of Featherston was, in its day, a wonder
of the times.
In late August 1915 the area was just bare land, but by
January 1916 the construction of the camp was completed. Under the
guidance of the Public Works Department, over one thousand workmen completed
what, to all intents and purposes, was a town in itself.
Spread over some seventy-one acres, the camp could
accommodate up to 8500 men at any one time. The facility was
made up of some 250 individual buildings, including cookhouses, dining
rooms, cinemas, billiard rooms, soldier and officers quarters, shops and
canteens. Many of the soldiers experienced more comforts than in their
own homes. Horses were also catered for, with stables to accommodate
some 500. Following the end of the war and up until the outbreak of
WWII, the camp continued to train soldiers for the NZ Army. However,
in late 1942 all this was to change. The government of the time
decided that the camp should become a detention centre for Japanese
prisoners of war, and this became the case until the end of WWII in 1945.
Episodes and incidents that took place during this period have, over the
years, marked Featherston and the camp for history.
Cleared and turned back into productive farm land many
years ago, the only reminder of this once outstanding complex is a small
memorial plaque.
Featherston War Memorial
The Featherston war memorial that stands on the triangle
of Fitzherbert, Fox and Wallace St, is a most impressive structure and is
well worth a visit. In May 1925 the ANZAC Club committee proposed "to
expend the cash balance of the club on a memorial to Wairarapa soldiers who
were killed in the great war". The memorial bears the names of
Gallipoli, Mesopotamia (now Iraq), France, Belgium, Palestine and Egypt, all
of which were the places where soldiers served in WWI. It is made from
stones brought from the Tauherenikau river. The use of the stones was
symbolic, as the first fatigue of new recruits at the Featherston Military
camp was picking up stones. The names of those who gave their lives
during the great war are engraved on the 4 sided granite blocks of grey
stone. The memorial was unveiled on Anzac Day, 1927. The names
of those who died in WWII were added in time for Anzac Day 1950.
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Lake Ferry
Lake Ferry is located less than one hour from Featherston, on the shores of
Lake Onoke and Palliser Bay. This popular tourist spot is known for its
superb fishing and surfing, its unique environmental assets and its
fascinating history.
Settlement in Palliser Bay has been dated as early as the twelfth century.
Archaeological research in 1969 identified an early people who practiced
subsistence living on the coast, gardening, hunting birds and gathering
seafood until about 1600. The Maori people who settled there later did so
mainly around Lake Onoke and the adjoining lakes.
European settlers brought sheep and cattle into the area in 1844, following
the coastal route from Wellington to Lake Onoke. These run holders were the
first to establish pastoral farming in New Zealand.
Following a drowning in 1850, a ferry service across the lake was
established. The ferryman needed accommodation and a supplement to his
income so a liquor Licence was issued and the Lake Ferry Hotel opened in
1851.
Today Lake Ferry is made up of holiday-home owners, permanent residents
engaged in fishing, farming and service industries, people who commute to
neighbouring towns and retirees. As in earlier times, when travelers found
welcome respite from the elements at Lake Ferry Hotel, today's tourist
enjoys the facilities offered at the hotel, camping ground and local
home stays.
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Putangirua Pinnacles
The Putangirua Pinnacles are dramatic rock formations, creating an
outlandish natural landscape. Its unique geological topography was used in
scenes in the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. A fascinating attraction for many
visitors to the area.
Seven to nine million years ago, when the Aorangi Range was an island,
screes poured gravels onto the coast, much as they do today. Exposed by the
Putangirua Stream, this ancient layer of gravels has been eroded by rain and
floods. The less resistant sediments have been worn away, leaving
spectacular towering formations, or pinnacles, of cemented rocks or silts.
The Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve is 13km along Cape Palliser Road
from the Lake Ferry turnoff, approximately one hour's drive from
Featherston. The turn off and campsite are 500 meters past the Department of
Conservation's Te Kopi Field Centre.
Campers can enjoy the facilities at the Putangirua campsite, set off Cape
Palliser Road. Payment is by self-registration, or to the ranger.
A sign at the car park gives details of short walks and access into the
Aorangi (Haurangi) Forest Park and the Washpool Hut (4-5 hours tramp).
Three routes lead to the pinnacles. An easily graded bush walk starts
approximately 10 minutes along the streambed from the car park, while a walk
up the streambed to the base of the Pinnacles provides a dramatic close-up
perspective. The more direct Loop Track runs from the stream junction up to
the lookout. Allow 2-3 hours for the round trip. A longer 3-4 hour walk
provides superb views of Cape Palliser and Lake Onoke.
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Ngawi
This wonderful little fishing village some 80kms south east of Featherston,
comes to life in a very big way, once a year. In mid-February the Ngawi
Fishing and Sports Club hosts the "Big 3" fishing contest. As the title
suggests the contest is held over three days, with a fishing challenge for
all types of anglers, from deep sea, sharks and tuna etc to surf casting,
cod and Kahawai etc and the youngsters with line and rod. The hospitality is
unsurpassed and the experience is not to be missed.
Some 13 years ago, the competition began among the members. It has now
reached national status and is probably the most popular fishing contest in
the North Island.
However Ngawi has a lot to offer than this annual event as both weekenders
and holiday makers can spend many happy hours at this idyllic spot.
Obviously fishing is the number one attraction, but there is a challenging
little nine-hole golf course - which will test the most patient of players.
Charter trips, classic beach and bush walks and of course the Palliser
Lighthouse with its 252 steps to reach the look-out, to enjoy the most
beautiful of views. The seal colony is a further attraction and well worth a
visit as seals are present for a large part of the year.
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