Wellington, Wharekauhau and fog
After dropping my car at Taupo Airport I hop on another little pocket rocket flight to Wellington. It has been raining hard all day and the approach into Wellington is rather foggy. In fact, it is consistently foggy and wet for my entire visit.
Driving from Wellington Airport, Paul "The Pope" Hill tells me all about Wellington, the different districts, what restaurants are the best. No doubt he would tell me off for forgetting half of them but I do remember that Vista is a great place for Tapas!
Wellington is the cultural capital of New Zealand and a certain UK publication proclaimed it to be one of the top cities to visit in 2011. Apart from being the top cultural city in New Zealand, home to Te Papa Tongarewa, The Museum of New Zealand, it is also very important in terms of the film industry and some people even call it the Capital of Cool.
Sadly I am not to spend any time in the city. Less sadly I am heading towards another wonderful lodge which is really rather special. Wharekauhau.
A past guest wrote of Wharekauhau :
“Heaven on earth is the best way to describe Wharekauhau. We will be sad to leave”
A working sheep and cattle farm the 5,500 acre property adorns the dramatic coastline of the Wairarapa - a region known for it's wine.
The style is traditional New Zealand with more than a hint of glamour. Shrouded in mist when I arrive I am unable to quite appreciate the stunning location of the property until the next morning and my how stunning it is!
Staying in one of the divine cottages, fire lit I am cosy and enjoy the mystery that the fog brings.
Next morning I open my door to the sound of the ocean, I cannot see it from my cottage, but its power and the sound of the crashing waves make its presence known.
I highly recommend the farm tour by 4wd, the scenery is incredible, you learn much about the working of the property and the animals, although the highlights for me were the drive along the beach - yes, I did eventually get to see the sea! and the thrill of the steep slopes and inclines on the property - I was glad it was not a self drive tour! Regional wine tours, mountain biking, walking and horse riding, quad biking, archery and clay pigeon shooting are amongst some of the other favourites.
Returning from the Farm Tour I have just enough time for breakfast before heading back to the airport.
This place is special, unique and yet you cannot quite put your finger on it. The lodge is beautiful, interiors by Virginia Fisher again, but with a different style to Huka Lodge, the setting is incredible and dramatic and the team are wonderful, helpful, friendly and welcoming and yet it is none of that.. I guess you just have to be there.