Nestled at the southern end of the North Island, this region combines urban life with wilderness experiences and the simple pleasures of a rural paradise.

Just one hour’s drive north-east of bustling Wellington, the Wairarapa region offers exciting opportunities to acquaint yourself with New Zealand’s rural off-the-beaten-track charm. Fringed by mountains and rugged coast, the region 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.

Destination-nz.com highlights

Stroll from one winery to the next, comparing examples of the excellent local Pinot Noir, on a walking tour of Martinborough Wine Village. Visit Greytown, a charming colonial village featuring the most complete main street of Victorian architecture in New Zealand. Walk the boardwalk to the Castlepoint Light House, taking in stunning panoramic views of the Wairarapa Coast; while you’re there you can explore the soft sand, warm lagoon, hidden caves and fossils.

Notable culture

Wairarapa has an extraordinarily rich Maori history – archaeological sites in Palliser Bay show human habitation as early as 1,000 AD. Papawai Marae was the site of the first Maori Parliament and its meeting house was built in 1888.

Moment in history

Greytown was New Zealand's first planned inland town. It was established in 1854 by a group of settlers from Wellington who were looking for small, affordable portions of land to farm. They established Greytown with the assistance of Sir George Grey, the Governor of New Zealand at the time.

The iconic experience

Enjoying great local produce at a fine café, followed by wine tasting at one of the region’s many vineyards and cellar doors.

Plan your trip with a detailed map of this region and peruse our suggested travel itinerary. Read More Sights, activities and top picks to make planning easier. Read More