Pohangina Valley Driving Route on The Country Road

NZ is famous the world over for being 100% Pure. The herb farm offers this natural, eco and feel-good experience in the truest sense of the words.

Created in a co-creative partnership with nature, the 14 themed herbal gardens showcase the owner’s respect for the living magic of nature’s most powerful plants. The abundant bird and insect life fits in with nature’s grand plan for these gardens.

As well as indulging in a refreshing walk through the gardens, a highlight of the herb farm is being able to purchase healing creams, oils, soaps and deodorants, free of chemicals and carefully made onsite.

Facilities include a beauty retreat that uses the herb farm products and mineral makeup, and a cafe that serves delicious food using organic, free-range and locally sourced ingredients. Arranged in advance, you can even have a go at making your own therapeutic body product under the guidance of a herbalist.

Located on Grove Road, near the township of Ashhurst and a short and scenic 15 minute drive from Palmerston North City in the lower North Island. Open everyday from 10am-4:30pm.

See www.herbfarm.co.nz for more information. To make a booking telephone +64 6 326 8633

Pohangina Valley Estate is a small, family run vineyard producing pinot noir, pinot gris and chardonnay varieties, as well as olive oil.

The Cellar Door is open January to April on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am-4:30pm, and October to December on Sundays from 11am-4:30pm, and at other times by appointment.

T: +64 6 354 7948

Pohangina Wetlands is a great example of struggling farmland converted into a stunning nature reserve. Follow the wide, mown pathways to see native bird life, native trees and bush.

It is free to visit, just follow the signs and stick to the pathways. Open all year at anytime. NB: Don't use the driveway to the house. The entrance to the wetlands is just beyond this. Parking is roadside.

Enjoy a Devonshire Tea served by a local volunteer in a heritage building dating back to 1893 - the former Pohangina County council office.

Only open on Saturdays from 2-4pm and Sundays 1:30-4:30pm and at other times by arrangement, so make sure you time your visit to Pohangina Valley to dine here.

T: +64 6 329 4762 or +64 6 329 4759

Head back to the township of Ashhurst and turn left at the pub and follow the directions to get onto Saddle Road. This is an alternative route to Manawatu Gorge and Pahiatua Track for traversing the mountain range that divides the Manawatu and Tararua regions.

Te Apiti Windfarm Lookout is a stunning view point with a working turbine in the middle of the car park and interpretation boards explaining how the turbines work and how much energy they're harnessing. So, get up close - the sheer size will amaze you.

Also enjoy panoramic views of the Manawatu and Tararua regions.

The gates to the windfarm lookout are open from 8am-5:30pm.