Improvements are being made to Wairarapa’s most popular walkway the Castlepoint Lighthouse Track and the favourite cycleway/ walkway the Rimutaka Incline.

Stories of Castlepoint’s history and biodiversity will be told through signage along a resealed lighthouse track, and seating is being provided at rest areas along the track.

A large retaining wall and culverts are being installed near the entrance to Price’s Tunnel on the Rimutaka Incline, where a washout occurred last year (halfway between the summit and the car park at Cross Creek). The incline is part of the Rimutaka Rail Trail.

Department of Conservation programme manager visitor assets Garry Foster says the upgrades will enhance the visitor experience at these popular sites.

Logic Forest Solutions Ltd is expected to spend the next six weeks upgrading the Castlepoint Lighthouse Track. Local subcontractors will be utilised throughout the project which begins with the preparation for a single pour of concrete from the base to the lighthouse, and formation of three rest areas on the path up.

“Interpretation along the track will feature the wonderful stories of the unique biodiversity of Castlepoint and its importance to iwi,” says Garry Foster.

“People will be able to learn more about the area and rest on their way up to the lighthouse to take in the spectacular views.”

Mr Foster said the department aimed to reduce the impact on visitors at both sites during construction, closing tracks only for short periods when visitor safety is compromised.

All the work should be completed by the end of June.

Find out more about Castlepoint on the DOC website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... c-reserve/

Find out more about the Rimutaka Rail Trail on the DOC website: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recrea ... ail-trail/