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Day 7 : Wellington to Masterton

Travel time is approximate only, based on an average driving speed under normal road conditions.

	Travel time	Km	(Miles)
Wellington - Martinborough	1 hr	79	49
Martinborough - Masterton	0.5 hr	45	28
Totals for Day	1.5 hrs	124	78

Wellington - Martinborough

79 km (49 miles)
Approximately 1 hour
Road Conditions: Motorway/State Highway

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot.

Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums and all kinds of shops. Dance, theatre and musical performances are a Wellington specialty. As New Zealand's capital, this city is rich in political history.

The drive to Martinborough whisks you out of the city on a fast moving motorway. You'll wind through the picturesque Hutt Valley before climbing over the Rimutaka Range and descending into the tranquility of the Wairarapa region.

If you don't want to drive, a scenic train trip runs from Wellington to Featherston. After Featherston, which has an interesting locomotive museum, you'll travel east towards Martinborough.

In recent years, Martinborough has become the gourmet capital of the lower North Island. It is home to over 25 boutique vineyards, several fabulous restaurants and a number of upmarket bed and breakfast establishments. From the charming town square, you can walk to most of the local attractions.

Martinborough - Masterton

45 km (28 miles)
Approximately 0.5 hour
Road Conditions: State Highway/Arterial

Enjoy the clean, green scenery as you drive north through the friendly townships of the Wairarapa. In Featherston you'll find an interesting locomotive museum.

Greytown has many beautiful examples of Victorian architecture and a quaint museum—take yourself on a self-guided walk. Carterton is a good place to shop for paua shell souvenirs—it's also a place to enjoy daffodils in the spring.

Every year in March, Masterton hosts the international Golden Shears competition. Sheep shearing in the Wairarapa is both a sport and an art form.

The town's main park has an aviary, aquarium, deer park and a small boating lake. Or you could rediscover your childhood at the local toy museum.