There is nothing that gives me more delight than when someone who has read this blog gets in touch. I love it! Recently the lovely Helen, who first started reading this blog when she was in Chile and planning a move to New Zealand contacted me to say that she was now working in the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. How cool! And what was even cooler was that she invited me to come and visit Pūkaha. Having not been before I jumped at the chance. My family had visited when they were in New Zealand and had given great reviews so it was about time I made the trip and had a little weekend away from Wellington.
Pūkaha and Mount Bruce is about 90-minute drive from Wellington and a 20-minute drive from Masterton. It’s super easy to get to and there are plenty of nice places to stop on the way if you’re driving from welly. Featherstone is a favourite pit stop for the Cameron Family Farm shop and Carterton for the great cheap op shops. Our time in Mount Bruce made a perfect weekend away from Wellington and here is what we did, where we ate and where we stayed:
We visited:
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Just 20 minutes up the road from Masterton you will find the Mount Bruce area and its crown jewel the Pūkaha Wildlife Centre. Pūkaha is WELL worth a visit, especially for those like me, who are from overseas and need a crash course on the incredible birdlife of New Zealand.
We were lucky enough to have a tour of the reserve from Deja who is the Bush Birds Co-ordinator. This was really great and for anyone thinking of heading to Pūkaha, I would recommend signing on to one of the guided tours as it really provides a huge amount of interesting back story to the amazing work happening at the centre.
Pūkaha is an unfenced nature reserve and one of the most important captive breeding sites in New Zealand. They breed North Island kākā, pāteke, whio, kākāriki (red-crowned, Yellow-crowned, orange-fronted), shore plover, North island kiwi (as part of Operation Nest Egg). Walking around we managed to spot breeding pairs of these birds in the averaries and Deja explained where they were found and how they came to be part of the programme at Pūkaha.
Pūkaha’s most famous resident is without a doubt Manukuru, the white Kiwi. Manukuru is actually a North Island brown kiwi but is leucistic (rather than albino as is commonly mistaken.) She is very sweet, with her endearing “happy hopping” around her enclosure and is easily spotted in her dark room as she doesn’t blend in so well.
Also at the centre is a lovely 1km to 4km walk that you can do, up onto the ridge and overlooking the Wairarapa over to the Tararuas. This is a great way to see some more of the reserve and try to spot the bird life in its natural habitat.
All Pūkaha funding comes from sponsorship, donations, membership and visitors so every visitor counts towards the continuation of this great work. It’s wonderful, we learnt a lot and are so grateful to Helen for inviting us and Deja for her wonderful guided tour.
Where we stayed:
Mount Bruce Lodge
Our accommodation was the lovely and super convenient Mount Bruce Lodge. Sitting on the SH 2 about 5 minutes before you reach the Pūkaha, it couldn’t be closer to the centre. Loving owners Julie and Philip have restored three buildings into two beautiful Air BnB houses aptly named The Little House and The Big House and they also run a Batik gallery at their property selling paintings, drawings, canvases and Tshirts.
Lucas and I stayed in the Little House. This had everything we needed: two bedrooms, a full equipt kitchen, a woodburning stove, a huge deck, laundry and bbq. On arrival, Julie left some homemade bread and fruit for us and there was breakfast included too.
We really enjoyed getting cosy in the little house, drinking tea, reading our books. Julie also gave us a tour of the big house which can sleep up to 10 people and has the most magical bathroom I have seen in a long time!
Whether you are looking for somewhere to stay for a weekend away or somewhere to stop off when passing through the Wairarapa, Mount Bruce Lodge would be a great choice. Cosy, clean and homely.
Links: Mount Bruce Lodge Air BnB Listing | Mount Bruce Lodge Website | Mount Bruce Lodge Facebook
Not used Air BnB before? Click my link HERE to sign up and get $69 off!
Where we ate:
Masterton might not be known for its cuisine but we were happy to find two super recommendable places to eat:
Don Luciano
Don Luciano is a sweet cafe that was recommended to us by Helen and we were warmly welcomed by owner Marvin. He is from Honduras and named Don Luciano after his grandfather. The family atmosphere and homestyle is in abundance here. The staff are so friendly and warm and the menu is incredible Honduras home cooking.
They do lunch as well but breakfast was a great time to come as Don Luciano has an in-house coffee roastery. Their coffee is nothing short of amazing. We picked some coffee beans up to bring home with us. The breakfast was super authentic Honduras street food. I had the classic Huevos Rancheros and Lucas got the Baliadas. Think homemade corn tortillas, arepas, refried beans, eggs and flavours in abundance. We will definitely be back here. There are loads of options for vegetarians and vegans too. Definitely hit this place up if you are in Masterton and tell Marvin I say hello!
The Screening Room
If you go to Don Luciano for breakfast, then don’t miss out on The Screening Room for dinner. Julie from Mount Bruce Lodge recommended it and it was great. The Screening Room is an arthouse cinema and restaurant. We didn’t see a movie but they had a great selection on.
The menu is great, super interesting and kinda fancy. Lucas had squid ink spaghetti and I had a curry. There could be more options for vegetarians – I would say that was the only downside. The atmosphere was great and the staff were super lovely. This is definitely a great date spot and as good as anything you would find in the big ol city.
Other places to visit in the area:
Tui Brewery: A further 20 minutes north from Mount Bruce is the famous Tui Brewery. See how the beer is made, do tastings and tours.
Queen Elizabeth Park: This park in Masterton is great if you have kids as it is often known as the best playground in NZ!
Aratoi: Super interesting Modern Art and History Museum in Masterton
Greytown: About 20 mins from Masterton when travelling to Wellington – Greytown is a lil shopping town – and nearby Carterton is great for Op shops!
Martinborough: One of New Zealand’s most iconic little towns, Martinborough, is wonderful for its many many wineries. If you haven’t been yet – you’re missing out!
*bird photos all credit to Tara Swan.