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. Take in the heritage while you indulge yourself.

Featured Tourism Operators in Wairarapa

Wairarapa Overview

Wairarapa, New Zealand

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

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Gourmandising Wairarapa, Wairarapa, New Zealand

Gourmandising, Wairarapa
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.

But don't assume that the Wairarapa is all about taking it easy. Adventure activities of every kind can be found here, from rafting, caving and rap jumping to 4WD (four-wheel drive) safaris and bungy jumping. 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

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Wine Country Wairarapa, Wairarapa, New Zealand

Wine Country, 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