Featherston: Literature, Locomotives and Walking Trails

Featherston combines fascinating insights into literature and transport history with opportunities for outdoor activities. In town, the Fell Locomotive Museum preserves a locomotive unique in the world; there are also eight bookshops open year-round. Travellers who want to combine culture, places of remembrance and activity can find a range of ideas here to help plan their trip. You can decide whether Featherston’s literature, history or trails through the landscape best match your travel interests.

Book Culture All Year Round

Featherston has eight bookshops open year-round. In addition, Featherston Booktown is an organisation that promotes literature throughout the year. Together, these make literature a theme that is not limited to a single event date: travellers can make time for the bookshops during their stay and explore the work of Featherston Booktown too. If books are an important part of your travels, this cultural side is a specific reason to consider Featherston as a destination.

Locomotive and Mountain Railway History

The Fell Locomotive Museum preserves H199 Mont Cenis, the only surviving Fell locomotive in the world. Visitors can also explore the history of the Rimutaka Incline mountain railway at the museum. A rare locomotive and the history of a mountain railway are therefore the focus of a museum visit. The museum is a short walk from Featherston Railway Station—a useful point of reference for anyone arriving by train and wanting to learn about this part of the town’s history.

A Place of Remembrance

The Featherston District War Memorial is an important, peaceful place of remembrance for the community. Since its unveiling in 1927, it has been the focal point of the town’s Anzac Day commemorations. River stones from the Tauherenīkau River were used to build the memorial. These details give the memorial a tangible connection to Featherston: it reflects both the importance of remembrance to the community and the use of material from the river.

Walking, Cycling and Views

The Tauwharenīkau Trail is a scenic 11.1 km route for walking and cycling. It starts at Clifford Park in Featherston and ends at Woodside Railway Station in Greytown; the route can be travelled in either direction. Its start and finish are in different towns. Bear this route layout in mind when deciding whether the trail suits your itinerary and which direction you would like to go.

Featherston Domain offers another way to get active: a strenuous climb leads to views of the town and Wairarapa Moana. The trail and the climb appeal to different preferences: one is an 11.1 km route for walking or cycling, while the other is defined by its strenuous ascent and the views. If you are considering Featherston as a holiday destination, you can factor in these differences along with its book culture and historic places. Choose Featherston for a trip that includes literature, local history and time outdoors; the right holiday rental for you depends on your own travel plans.

More destinations: Whareama, Paraparaumu Beach, Porirua, Ponatahi, Clareville, Bidwells Cutting, Plimmerton, Dyerville.

For the broader travel overview: Wellington.