Coastal Highlights

Riversdale Beach

Riversdale has an interesting history. It was developed in the 1950s by a champion Wairarapa swimmer, who knew that this part of the Wairarapa coast has consistently good surf and is sheltered by the natural barrier of the Tararua Ranges. At the time, people thought he was crazy. But Riversdale Resort, complete with golf course and tennis courts, proved to be a roaring success.

The gently sloping beach at Riversdale is four kilometers long. It's a great place for surfing and swimming. Visitors are welcome to play a game at the golf course, which has excellent views of the ocean from nearly every tee.

At low tide, a large area of rock is exposed at both ends of the bay, creating a natural playground for fishing and snorkeling. An exposed reef two kilometers out to sea is a well known diving site and a good place to catch groper.

Uriti Point, with its cobblestones of eroded sandstone, and the fossilized forest at the Kaiwhata river mouth are only a short drive away from Riversdale.