Deliverance Cove – Castle Point

Description

Castlepoint is a small beachside settlement on the Wairarapa coast of the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It’s located about one hour’s drive from Masterton. It is home to a lighthouse which stands near the top of the northern end of a reef. Castlepoint was so named in 1770 by Captain Cook who was struck by the similarities of Castle Rock to the battlements of a castle. The Maori name for the area is Rangiwhakaoma, which translates as ‘where the sky runs’.

Climb above the lagoon through the pines and follow the Castlepoint Scenic Reserve boundary to the base of the 162-metre high Castle Rock. The view from the top of Castle Rock is spectacular. You can see all the way both north and south of the Wairarapa Coast.

This is the only location in the world where you will find the rare shrubby daisy. Castlepoint daisy Brachyglottis compactus grows only on the crumbled limestone of the reef and Castle Rock. The reserve is also home to numerous sea birds and receives frequent visits from several species of dolphin, as well as fur seals, and occasionally small whale species.