The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Trips For Visitors
Trips For Visitors.
Strarngers passing through Wellington with a whole day to spare may see a good deal of the country in that time by rail. Over the Rimutaka ranges, to Featherston and back, will admit of a six hours' stay. If the journey be continued to Grey town, the time there will be nearly five hours; if to Carterton, four and a-half hours; if to Masterton, nearly three hours and a-half; and if to Eketahuna, the present terminus (ninety-four miles from Wellington), one hour.
Continuing from Palmerston on the Wanganui line, nearly four hours may be spent at Feilding; an hour-and-a-half at Marton, and fifty minutes at Turakina. On certain days about two hours may be spent in Foxton; but for this, as, indeed, all train matters, the Government Penny Time-table should be consulted, as changes are occasionally made even on the well-established lines.
These particulars are given to show what may be done in one day; but there are so many beautiful places with in easy distances of Wellington, that a much longer stay should be made if possible. A week suffices comfortably for the Wanganui River trip, which, as far as Pipiriki, may be taken even by semi-invalids.
Short sea-trips from Wellington may be very conveniently made. The beautiful Picton and Pelorus Sounds provide almost endless enjoyment for canoeists, and these places and Nelson are in constant communication with Wellington, whilo special excursion trips are provided on almost every public holiday. Occasionally, large fishing-parties are made up, and steamers are chartered for a few days' run into the Sounds. These are very enjoyable, but of course they are not common. Visitors may, however, go through the Sounds in the ordinary course of travel if they so wish it, and certainly such beautiful scenery should not be missed on any account.