Wairarapa has the best of both worlds
A celebrated wine and food destination, Wairarapa is no one-trick pony. The little paradise, just over the hill from Wellington, has so much to offer
With its five characterful towns Wairarapa has fabulous shopping, a thriving art and culture scene, beautiful and at times dramatic coastline, and of course – at the heart of the Classic NZ Wine Trail – superb food, beverage and accommodation.
In Greytown, country charm is on full display with a rich heritage of beautiful Victorian-era buildings and tree-lined streets. It is also one of New Zealand’s premiere shopping and food destinations thanks to its independent boutiques, specialist stores, cafes and restaurants.
The fact many of these are housed in sensitively restored colonial buildings helps connect visitors with the town’s history and makes it the perfect escape for those who appreciate quality and the unique collision of town meets country.
Nearby Featherston and Martinborough exude charm too. Featherston is the gateway to the Wairarapa when arriving from the south, and proudly New Zealand’s only Booktown; Featherston has more book shops per head of population than anywhere else in the country. The annual Booktown Festival is in May.
Completing the South Wairarapa’s trio of towns is Martinborough, a true wine village, it is hemmed by boutique vineyards with more than 35-plus cellar doors, many offering delightful vineyard dining experiences. Don’t miss the Martinborough Fair, on the first Saturday of February and March each year, when 20,000 people come to town.
Carterton is in the heart of Wairarapa, while book-ending the north is the region’s main centre, Masterton. Beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park in the middle of town is the “jewel in the crown”, and opposite is the arts precinct, which is as good as anywhere in all of provincial New Zealand. Away from the valley and its generous larder is a region of stunning natural beauty; on one side the mountainous Tararua Forest Park, the other a wild stretch of rugged, breathtakingly spectacular coastline.
Jaw-dropping natural scenery greets visitors who make the 50-minute drive out to Castlepoint, east of Masterton. The iconic lighthouse, limestone reef, golden sand beach and the imposing Castle Rock will leave you spellbound. So too will the road to Cape Palliser, Wairarapa’s southernmost point.
A temperate climate, fertile soils and abundant space has given rise to a tapestry of beautiful gardens and bushlands. Courtesy of the Wairarapa Garden Tour each year in November 10 beautiful private gardens are open to the public as a fundraiser for the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre. The 2021 Wairarapa Garden Tour is on the weekend of 6 -7 November, with the focus on north Wairarapa.
Full garden tour details and tickets are available on wairarapagardentour.co.nz