19 May 2013

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Castle Point Hill Tramp

Castle Point Hill Tramp

Location: East Coast, North Island, Wairapa

Nearest Town: Masterton

Nearest City: Wellington

Length of tramp: 3.4 km

Time needed: 1 hour 30 min

Difficulty: medium

Route: Round trip

Elevation: Sea level to 162m

Wet Feet: No

Toilets: Yes

Dogs: No

Mobile phone coverage: Yes

Date this tramp was last walked: 2007

Track quality: Medium to rough

Shops/restaurants: Castlepoint

Petrol station: Castlepoint

Hazards: Cliffs surrounding the light house

Water: Castlepoint

Driving Instructions: North of Masterton shopping centre on the main Highway (2) just over the bridge is the turn off to Castle Point. (64k). The road is slow and twisty, farm trucks also use the road. And on occasion, stock will be running freely so drive with caution.

Camping on track: No

Track highlights: Awesome views of the coast line on both sides. Good fishing as well!

Area & Track History: The light shone for the first time in 1913, it stands 52m above sea level. While its 23m frame was being built in the Wellington foundry of S. Luke and Co during 1911-1912, the lighthouse frame consists of 10 1.8m-tall rings, decreasing in diameter from 5.4m at its base to 3m at its top, above which is the light-tower. It was the tallest lighthouse in the North Island and the third tallest in New Zealand. In 1922 the principal lighthouse keeper was killed after falling from the tower while fixing telephone wires. His ghost was said to live on in the (now demolished) principal keeper’s house at Castle Point station for years afterwards. It became known as the “holiday light” as children could attend the nearby school, the shops provided groceries, and there was even a hotel where friends and family could stay.

Map of Castle Point Hill Tramp :

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Detailed track description for
Castle Point Hill Tramp:

Castle Point Hill Tramp - Point 1

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Drive to the end of the road, right in to the bay, past the shop and public toilets. You can’t miss the wooden walkway over to the light house. At low tide you can walk over the sand without getting your feet wet. Over to your right, all the fishing boats park up on the sand till the tide is right, go over and have a look at the boats and see how they push the 10 tone boast in to the surf. Looking hard right, you cannot miss Castle Point Hill. As you walk along the beach, you can see the walking track winding up to the top. Don’t be surprised if cars zoom past you at low tide. There are no signs to show you the way, keep heading for the hill.

Castle Point Hill Tramp - Point 2

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There is no playing around; the track goes straight up to the top. But you must thank the locals for building the comfortable seats for you to rest the weary legs. At the top of the saddle, turn hard left. To the right will take you back to the car. From here the walk is more like a goat track. After a bit of rain, the track will be slippery under foot. At the top of the first ridge line, the track forks to the left and right. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work out which track to take.

Castle Point Hill Tramp - Point 3

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Down in the bay, the weather might be warm and sunny. But at the top it can be another story. The wind can be quite strong and a little cold. Don’t walk to close to the edge of the cliff face; It is a long way to the bottom. There are no safety rails or fences to hold on to. Keep the kids tied to you. At the top, (40 min) looking south on a fine day, you can see Riversdale beach at 23k = 211° = 41°5'32.3"S, 176°4'15.9"E Looking north is cape Turn again 57 Ks = 036°= 40°29'24.6"S, 176°37'10.3"E

Castle Point Hill Tramp - Point 4

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On the way out, walk back to the saddle, then turn right and walk back the way you came, or take the track straight ahead and walk along the farm land. On this track you will see the track you crawled up to reach the top of Castle Point Hill.

Castle Point Hill Tramp - Point 5

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Just before the built up area, you can look down on to Castle Point light house, a short walk you should look at before going home. Now follow the track around the built up area, then on to the beach. There is a short cut just as you reach the built up area. The track cuts through an empty section (20m) and back on to a street that runs you down to the beach. This is a great opportunity to have a look at the beach baches in the area. ($500.000+) just for the view, no piped in water, only rain water - if it rains! The shop is only a few meters to the left when you walk out on to the main

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