Rahui
The route is a 65km loop over tar sealed and gravel roads, coastal cruising and native bush, and of course some hills! You have a night in the country and a night at the coast.
Bring your own bike, hire our e-bikes or mix it up. A really nice way for friends to share their love of biking, regardless of level. Perfect for a bunch of mates, hens parties, couples, work groups or overseas guests wanting to escape to the country and do something fun and new. Get on your bike and ride! You must be able to ride a bike confidently over some rough terrain, and over the age of 18.
The Rahui Coastal Loop starts 2km up the Tinui Valley Road at the Woolshed. An easy 10km ride up the quiet and picturesque valley will bring you to Rahui, where you will spend a tech free night enjoying the company of your friends in the newly renovated Sows Ear. Drinks at the pond, reconnect with a barefoot walk around the gardens before a delicious locally derived dinner and conviviality around the bonfire.
A lazy start and a more challenging 34kms up and over a gravel road and fast downhill to wild and spectacular Wairarapa coast, peddle past the batches at the sleepy settlement of Mataikona and on to the very photogenic and historic Castlepoint- the jewel in Wairarapa’s crown.
Take time to chill out at the batch, walk to the lighthouse and around the reef, or buy a postcard from the well-stocked store.
Early birds will enjoy the east coast sunrise, then you all head off to the Big Saddle forest, climb up to Dad’s Hut for a view stop & a snack, then its downhill though the native bush and a race home to your car at the Woolshed - Waaaahhhhhoooo.
“What a fantastic experience!! Highly recommend. Especially on ebikes. Well run by extremely nice people. I’ll be buzzing for a week or two.”
History
The Maunsell family have a rich history in the area with Tinui Station purchased by Archdeacon Robert Maunsell in 1859. Rahui is the back block of the original 20,000 acre Tinui station. It has been recognised at the Centurion family farm awards for land being in the family for 150 years. The majestic rock outcrop at Tinui named Mt Maunsell boasts the site of the first cross which was erected to commemorate the fallen soldiers of WW1.
Castlepoint had a very important role in the transport system of the day. Wool was the big export that was taken out to the ships by bullock teams. The lighthouse was built in 1913 to stand tall on the treacherous reef and help guide the ships in the night. It has always been the showpiece of Castlepoint. At night it is lit in a rainbow of colours.
In the 90s Rahui gardens was on the popular garden trail and one of Wairarapa’s must see gardens. Televised on Maggie’s Garden Show as a fresh young garden, it is now home to established trees, huge rhododendrons, a tranquil pond, lorikeets, quail, dells of gorgeous hostas, lilies, clivias, and the Rahui Coastal Loop.
