Featherston: Railway History and Booktown

Featherston brings together railway history and literature, memorial sites and ways to experience the landscape. This makes the town appealing to a range of travel interests: you can learn about the history of a distinctive locomotive, browse bookshops or plan a challenging climb. It also makes it easier to decide which places and trails you’d like to explore during your trip.

Railway history in Featherston

The Fell Locomotive Museum preserves H199 Mont Cenis, the only surviving Fell locomotive in the world. At the museum, you can also explore the history of the Rimutaka Incline. The historical story encompasses both the surviving locomotive and the mountain railway, whose history visitors can learn about there. The museum is a short walk from Featherston railway station.

Another trail with a railway connection is the Tauwharenīkau Trail. It starts at Clifford Park in Featherston and ends at Woodside railway station in Greytown; it can be walked in either direction. The two endpoints help you plan which way to go. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Memorials and local history

The Featherston District War Memorial is an important place of quiet remembrance for the community. Since it was unveiled in 1927, it has been the focus of the town’s Anzac Day commemorations. River stones from the Tauherenīkau River were used to build it. This architectural detail is part of the memorial’s history, as is its continuing role in commemorations.

The history of the ANZAC Club in Featherston reveals another historic use: during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic, the building was used as a hospital. Along with the memorial, this site offers a glimpse into different chapters of the town’s history—from public remembrance to the use of a building during an extraordinary time.

Featherston Booktown and its bookshops

Featherston has eight bookshops that are open year-round; the number may change over time. Featherston Booktown is a year-round organisation that promotes literature. The bookshops and the organisation’s work show two sides of the literary theme: places centred on books, and the ongoing promotion of literature. If you’re interested in books and literature, you can include this focus in your travel plans without limiting it to a single event date.

Climbing and scenery in the wider destination

Featherston Domain offers a strenuous climb with views of the town and Wairarapa Moana. If you plan this climb, take its challenging nature into account and check trail conditions before your visit.

In the wider South Wairarapa District destination, the Remutaka Rail Trail offers another way to experience the landscape. The easy-to-walk 18-kilometre route is suitable for walking, running or mountain biking; restored railway bridges and historic tunnels are features of the trail. Wairarapa Moana is also in the South Wairarapa District. This 10,000-hectare ecosystem of wetlands and open water provides habitat for native fish, birds and unique indigenous plants. These regional nature and trail experiences complement the specific places and activities in Featherston without conflating them with the town’s own features.

Discover more destinations: Paraparaumu Beach, Ponatahi, Paraparaumu, Dyerville, Plimmerton, Clareville, Otaki, Porirua.

For the wider travel overview: Wellington.