Story by Jessica
The Last Church in Āpiti
Adventure in Āpiti, Manawatū-Whanganui, NZ
If you're a lover, like me, of all things quaint, retro and vintage, you'll absolutely fall in love with this humble little abode in Āpiti, Manawatu.
This beautifully restored house and church is an easy, one-hour drive from Palmerston North. Park out front, walk past the church towards the house, and you'll soon be transported to a different time – one without internet.
The warm, cosy feeling you get when you walk into your grandmother's home is the same feeling I got when I walked into The Last Church. The fireplace had been lit a few hours before my arrival and there's nothing more regal than a quaint fireplace. The kitchen was filled with beautiful, retro utensils, the lounge with cosy sofas, and the outdoor space even had a refurbished bathtub. There's no other place I'd want to take my family or a bunch of friends to reconnect and forget about the hustle and bustle of the world.
To my surprise, I found there was a lot to do around Āpiti. Drive 10 minutes up a gravel road to Makoura Lodge, where you can spend time with the horses, do a Hill Country Safari in a 4WD, or book a revitalising group yoga session if you're looking to really relax. The Limestone Glow Worm Walk is 10 minutes in the opposite direction, while Cross Hill Gardens and Nursery is just a 20-minute drive back towards Rangiwahia Road.
The Last Church really does leave you feeling at peace, relaxed and grounded. It'll have you exploring, connecting and spending quality time with loved ones without the distraction of the modern world.
This beautifully restored house and church is an easy, one-hour drive from Palmerston North. Park out front, walk past the church towards the house, and you'll soon be transported to a different time – one without internet.
The warm, cosy feeling you get when you walk into your grandmother's home is the same feeling I got when I walked into The Last Church. The fireplace had been lit a few hours before my arrival and there's nothing more regal than a quaint fireplace. The kitchen was filled with beautiful, retro utensils, the lounge with cosy sofas, and the outdoor space even had a refurbished bathtub. There's no other place I'd want to take my family or a bunch of friends to reconnect and forget about the hustle and bustle of the world.
To my surprise, I found there was a lot to do around Āpiti. Drive 10 minutes up a gravel road to Makoura Lodge, where you can spend time with the horses, do a Hill Country Safari in a 4WD, or book a revitalising group yoga session if you're looking to really relax. The Limestone Glow Worm Walk is 10 minutes in the opposite direction, while Cross Hill Gardens and Nursery is just a 20-minute drive back towards Rangiwahia Road.
The Last Church really does leave you feeling at peace, relaxed and grounded. It'll have you exploring, connecting and spending quality time with loved ones without the distraction of the modern world.
Things We Did
- Farm
- Wildlife
- Experience
Spend time with the horses, do a Hill Country Safari in a 4WD, or book a revitalising yoga session if you're looking to relax.
These special limestone caves are home to glow worms. Take some waterproof boots or gumboots as you'll likely be treading through a bit of water in the cave. Note that this isn't a dog-friendly place either.
Cross Hill Gardens is a large, 7-hectare garden that includes one of the world’s finest collections of rhododendrons and azaleas. These provide a dazzling colour display during the months of October and November, which is an occasion to mark on every gardener’s calendar. It's also a beautiful place to get some colourful snaps worthy of Instagram.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
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