Wairarapa Regional Information
Wairarapa | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History
Leave the city and enter a contemporary style of country life that fully embraces the pleasures of fine wine and good food in Wairarapa. Take in the heritage while you indulge yourself.
Wairarapa Overview
Leave the city and enter a contemporary style of country life that fully embraces the pleasures of fine wine and good food. Take in the heritage while you indulge your hedonistic urges.
Wairarapa is about one and half hours drive north from the capital city of Wellington. The region is bordered by the rugged Tararua Mountains to the west and the wild Pacific Ocean to the east.
Known for its hot, languid summers, the Wairarapa provides a relaxing, refined country break away from the pressures of urban life.
In and around Martinborough wine village, famed for its award-winning Pinot Noir, you'll discover a host of welcoming vineyards. Continue the trail through Gladstone and Masterton.
Wairarapa Highlights
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
Historical Greytown is New Zealand's first inland town. It has retained its delightful colonial village character with careful preservation of the many wooden Victorian buildings. A leisurely stroll reveals a superb range of specialty shopping—including antiques, crafts, gift shops and galleries. Take a break at one of Greytown's excellent cafes or restaurants or check in to one of the many Boutique Bed and Breakfast establishments for a taste of a charming bygone era.
And if you want to get acquainted with some of New Zealand's rarest inhabitants, head for the Mount Bruce National Wildlife centre. Set amidst a pocket of ancient rainforest, this centre is where the New Zealand Department of Conservation runs its captive breeding programme for threatened bird species. Visitors can take a walk with a professional conservation officer through natural bush aviaries. Beyond Masterton lies the wild, dramatic scenery of Castle Point beach, complete with a picturesque lighthouse that looks across the sea towards Antarctica.
Main Centres in the Wairarapa
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
- Masterton - the largest town in Wairarapa is home to Wairarapa's Art and History Museum and the centre of major annual events including the international Golden Shears competition and the international Hot Air Balloon Fiesta
- Carterton - daffodil capital of New Zealand, named after the popular spring festival where, since the 1920's, people have flocked to pick daffodils from a large flower packed field
- Greytown - has retained its delightful colonial village character and has New Zealand's most complete main street of original wooden Victorian architecture
- Featherston - the gateway to the Wairarapa from Wellington, features three unique museums. The Fell Engine Museum houses the only remaining fell engine in the world and the Featherston Heritage Museum and Mainly Military Museum contain impressive displays of wartime memorabilia
- Martinborough - a unique wine village with over 25 boutique vineyards, most within walking distance of the charming town square
Useful Wairarapa Links
To help plan your Wairarapa holiday choose from the main categories below
- Wairarapa Accommodation
- Wairarapa Tours
- Wairarapa Attractions
- Wairarapa Transport
- Wairarapa Cuisine and Dining
- Wairarapa Shopping
- Wairarapa Visitor Information
Wairarapa Region Information
Regional Information
Key information and facts about the Wairarapa region.
Activity Highlights
Major activities and attractions in the Wairarapa region.
Scenic Highlights
Major natural attractions in the Wairarapa region.
History
History of the Wairarapa region.
Wairarapa Tourism Operators
Choose from our accommodation, attractions, tours, transport or visitor information categories below to find a tourism operator in Wairarapa.
