Exploring the Towns of Wairarapa
Set in a broad valley between the Tararua Range and the eastern hill country, the Wairarapa region in the lower North Island is a rewarding place to explore, especially if you’re into food, wine, and small-town character. Just over an hour’s drive from Wellington via State Highway 2, it’s an easy weekend getaway or a longer loop through charming rural centres, cellar doors, and countryside cycling routes.
First Stop at Featherston
Just past the Remutaka Hill Road, Featherston is the southern gateway to the Wairarapa. While small in size, the town has gained a reputation in recent years as a centre for book lovers. It hosts the annual Featherston Booktown festival, and its streets feature several second-hand and specialist bookshops. C’est Cheese, the town’s artisan cheese shop and deli, is reason enough to stop for lunch or picnic supplies. Just outside town, you can visit Lake Wairarapa or the Remutaka Rail Trail, both offering scenic walking and cycling options.
Wine and Dining in Martinborough
Martinborough is widely considered the heart of Wairarapa wine country. Known for its boutique vineyards and highly regarded pinot noir, the town has a relaxed yet refined feel. Many of the vineyards are within walking or cycling distance of the central square, making it easy to spend a day tasting and exploring. Alongside its wine scene, Martinborough has a strong food culture, with high-quality cafés, restaurants, and weekend markets. The town also has a growing network of walking and cycling trails, including the start of the Five Towns Trail network.
Charming Greytown
Further north on SH2, Greytown is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian streetscape and stylish main street. Winner of multiple tourism and heritage awards, the town combines history with a modern creative edge. It’s home to artisan chocolatiers, independent boutiques, design stores, and destination cafés. Greytown also has a strong arts presence, with local galleries, craft events, and seasonal festivals. Just beyond town, the Waiohine Gorge provides access to the Tararua Forest Park and several short walks and river swimming spots.
Carterton’s Community Spirit
Often overlooked in favour of its neighbours, Carterton rewards those who stop to explore. The town has a warm, community-focused vibe and is home to creative makers, weekend markets, and several distinctive attractions. One of the region’s quirkier sights, Stonehenge Aotearoa, lies just outside town, a modern interpretation of an ancient celestial observatory adapted for the Southern Hemisphere. Carterton is also a gateway to the scenic foothills of the Tararua Ranges, with walks like the Fensham Reserve Loop Track and popular events like the Daffodil Festival each spring.
Masterton’s Parks and Galleries
As the largest town in the region, Masterton serves as the Wairarapa’s commercial and service hub. While it may lack the boutique charm of smaller centres, it still has plenty to offer. Queen Elizabeth Park, right in the town centre, is one of New Zealand’s best urban parks, with mature trees, paddle boats, and the kids’ favourite, a miniature train.
The nearby Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History hosts changing exhibitions with a regional focus, while Queen Street is dotted with small galleries and second-hand shops. Masterton also makes a good base for exploring northern Wairarapa and the rugged coastline beyond.
How to Get There
The Wairarapa towns stretch along State Highway 2, beginning with Featherston and continuing through Greytown, Carterton, and Masterton. Martinborough is an easy 15-minute detour via State Highway 53 from Featherston. From Wellington, the drive over the Remutaka Hill takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Wairarapa Line train from Wellington to Featherston, Carterton, and Masterton. Take your bike on the train, making it ideal for a car-free cycling trip through wine country.
Other places to visit in the Wairarapa include Castlepoint, Riversdale Beach, Glendhu, Tora Beaches, White Rock Beach, Cape Palliser and Lake Ferry.
