Patuna Chasm

Highlights: Limestone chasm, waterfalls, a river, eels, fossils, farmland, native bush, swimming

Length: 3 hours (although only 1 hour of true walking)

Where: 15 minutes from Martinborough

What to take: Sneakers and clothes that you don't mind getting wet, water, snacks, camera

The Wairarapa's best kept secret, this walk is truly breathtaking!

Getting there: from Wellington, head over the Rimutakas to Martinborough. From the Martinborough square, take the Jellicoe Road exit and follow it until you reach White Rock Rd on your left. After 8km, turn right onto Ruakokoputuna Rd. This is a gravel road, which you then follow for another 8km. This road turns into Harangi Rd, which you can keep following until you reach Patuna Farm on your right. Follow the driveway and there is parking behind the homestead.

Once you have arrived you will be driven by the owners of the farm to the start of the walk. The drive is worth noting, as the farm itself is beautiful, particularly in summer with golden, rolling hills extending in all directions. After about fifteen minutes you will be dropped off at the start of the walk, given a short health and safety briefing with some loose directions, and sent on your merry way.

The first forty minutes or so of the track takes you through native bush, fields, and limestone cliffs. At various points you are also treated to views down and over the chasm, and you can hear the river bubbling along far below for much of the walk.

The descent down into the chasm requires some agility to maneuver yourself down a rather steep cliff, followed by an 8m ladder. Send the bravest first, as the ladder can kick out a bit on the descent, and once they are down they can hold it for the rest. Once you're down the ladder, you will feel like you've walked straight into Jurassic Park. The chasm towers above on both sides, with lush green bush and moss covering the opening at the top and the walls running down.

The rest of the walk is less of a walk than it is a wade as you return to the start along the river bed. With a waterfall, a few eels, some deep pools, incredible limestone cliffs, fossils, and the grand finale of a long limestone tunnel interrupted with shafts of light and large boulders, this is truly one of the most magnificent experiences the Wellington region has to offer.

Please note that, as the chasm is located on a private farm, you need to book ahead and pay ($25) in order to enjoy this walk - you can contact the farm here.