Wairarapa

The Wairarapa region offers exciting opportunities to acquaint yourself with New Zealand’s rural off-the-beaten-track charm.

Just one hour’s drive northeast of bustling Wellington, yet fringed by mountains and rugged coast, the Wairarapa offers a diverse range of experience for lovers of great wine, gourmet organically grown food, astonishing wildlife and natural beauty. The area is particularly renowned as a wine-growing region, with out-of-the-way towns such as Martinborough boasting over 20 vineyards surrounding the village square. Wairarapa is also home to a wealth of other specialist food producers – from olive oils, fruits and vegetables, nuts and herbs, to honey, traditional cider, boutique beer, cheeses and chocolate, this region is the perfect destination for those with an interest in culinary indulgence.

DO IT. Sample local wines at the cellar door, shop for art, crafts and designer jewellery in quaint country towns, take a cycle tour of the wineries in Martinborough Wine Village, visit Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre north of Masterton, relax on a remote beach at Riversdale or Castlepoint, hike in Tararua Forest Park.

Destinations

Cartertown Farming town thriving with arts and crafts community.
Greytown Featuring a Victorian main street.
Martinborough Wine Village Over 20 vineyards surround the pretty village square.
Masterton The urban centre of the Wairarapa region.

Getting there and around

Air The nearest airport is Wellington International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights.
Road Masterton is 1 hour, 25 minutes from Wellington, situated on SH 2. It is 9 hours, 15 minutes from Auckland. Coach companies provide regular services.
Rail Tranz Metro offers a regular service between Wellington and Masterton.

Wairarapa wineries

Grape vines were first planted around Martinborough during the 1970s and there are now more than 50 vineyards in the Wairarapa. Visit a vineyard restaurant to taste great food matched with the local wines, but note that some wineries are only open during summer months. The Masterton and Martinborough i-SITE Visitor Information centres have wine trail maps that include cellar door opening hours.