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Natural Phenomena

 
 

Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve

Putangirua Pinnacles, Wairarapa - click for more.
These extraordinary towers of rock were formed by water erosion over millions of years.
Around seven million years ago, the Aorangi Range was an island. As the mountains eroded, scree and gravel were washed down to the coast, where they formed a sedimentary layer. Over the past 120,000 years, the Putangirua Stream has exposed this ancient layer of gravel to the erosive forces of rain and floods. Some of the sediments stayed concreted together, while others washed away. The result is the Putangirua Pinnacles 'an amazing collection of hoodoos'.

This outlandish place was used as a filming location for the 'Paths of the Dead' scene in the Return of the King, the third movie in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

To find the Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, drive about 13 kilometres along Cape Palliser Road from the Lake Ferry turn-off. The reserve has a camping ground and a choice of walking tracks. Three of the walks lead to the pinnacles. you need to allow about three hours for the round trip.
 

 
WAIRARAPA Region


CONTACT DETAILS

Contact: Martinborough i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 6 3065 010
Fax: +64 6 3068 033
Postal: PO Box 674 Masterton
Website: www.wairarapanz.com

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Martinborough is the closest town to this highlight.

In Martinborough:

Other towns near Martinborough by road:

Other towns near Martinborough by rail:

Martinborough does not have any rail stations.

The nearest rail station is in Featherston (16 minutes)

Other towns near Martinborough by air:

Martinborough does not have scheduled passenger air services.

The nearest airport is in Wellington (72 minutes)

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