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Day trips

10 things to do in the Wairarapa, what to see: trip guide

  • 4 minutes

North Island, New Zealand

1. Mount Bruce Sanctuary

Pukaha National Wildlife Centre is a great excursion for families with all day admission gives you the opportunity to view New Zealand’s rare white kiwi. Bush walks in 942 native forests, with kaka and kokaka in the bush. Aviaries for breeding endangered birds and visitors are part of the feeding programes. Guides conduct regular 2 hour bush walks. A place that can be visited several times, something to learn and something new to see. To book and view details check here Prices and Hours.

@greenjerseycycling
@greenjerseycycling

2. Wine tour including 3 wineries / brewery

Martinborough is a great place to while away time relaxing in the family owned vineyards within walking distance of the village centre. Or perhaps hire a bike or join a guided tour with Green Jersey Cycle Tours.

3. Cape Palliser

One of the top spots for a panoramic ocean to sky to earth photographs. You will have earned the right after the steep climb up 250 steps to the top. Just take a few moments to catch your breath and savour the views.

4. Shop until you drop in Greytown

Well-known clothing designers, a bicycle shop to encourage visitors to get out and explore the world cycling, a haberdashery with luscious linens and silk, home decor inspiration artfully spilling into tempting window displays and cafes, ice-cream vendors and charm from just being a heritage village where shopping is still main street.

Greytown bicycle shop front entrance, New Zealand
Greytown bicycle shop front entrance
@stonehenge.aotearoa
@stonehenge.aotearoa

5. Stonehenge Aotearoa is fun and a definite holiday moment

You might feel you want to participate in Druid ceremony or dark sky observation. Then you don’t need to look far, it’s just around the corner in the Wairarapa. To check details click here Stonehenge Aotearoa.

6. Wairarapa is a foodie destination from pizzas to fine dining experiences

Munch on a gourmet pizza while at the movies in Martinborough at Circus, relax at the GreytownWhite Swan roadside seating with a coffee or beer people watching, check out artisan cheeses in Featherstone or indulge in a very special cafe, The Clareville Bakery. The cakes and treats are generous, homemade and sinful with very delicious mouthful.

@theclarevillebakery
@theclarevillebakery
@Huri Huri Bike Wairarapa
@Huri Huri Bike Wairarapa

7. Wairarapa Cycle Trail

This trail Is a gentler ride than the Remutaka Cycle Trail. Masterton through Gladstone, perhaps with a detour to the fabulous Clareville Bakery & Cafe, past vineyards with views of farmland, wineries and quiet settlements the trail finishes near Wairarapa Moana (Lake Wairarapa). For the avid cyclist this route meets up with the intersects with the Remutaka Cycle Trail at Western Lake Road. This road also leads north to Featherston town and the train to Wellington.

Quirky Fell Locomotivel Museums

While you are devouring your deli snacks and cheeses at C’est Cheese Featherston | Buy Cheese & Deli Online – C’est Cheese Featherston you will be checking the heritage Fell locomotive, one of few remaining engines in the world. Right here in Featherston. The hero of the Remutaka incline.

Fell Locomotive Museum. Saturdays/Sundays and Public holidays 10am-4pm. Available 7 days a week for tour bookings.

8. World War two and Japanese prisoner of war camp

Visit Featherston historical museum to listen to narratives about the Japanese break out and life as a prisoner of war in the Wairarapa. Evotative and thought provoking historical museum in Featherston is home to the collection of artefacts about this period in Aotearoa’s history.

Featherston Heritage Museum, Open Saturday & Sunday between 10.00am to 2.00pm.

@Featherston Heritage Museum
@Featherston Heritage Museum

9. Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton

Got kids, it’s the holidays then Queen Elizabeth is a great place to find things to do from a children’s playground with a flying fox, paddle boat hire, a miniature train that transverses the beautiful park, cycle hire within the park to bike the perimeter, a skate park and mini golf. Plenty to keep children entertained.

@thewoolshednz
@thewoolshednz

10. Wool is the backbone of the economy

The Wool Shed Interactive Centre answers all questions you might have about wool and shearing. A reminder of the importance of wool is the enormous next big thing statue of a shearer with his shorn sheep as you enter Masterton. The National Museum of Sheep and Shearing is hands-on, touch, feel and walk through a genuine woolshed. A must see attraction for New Zealand and Australian visitors interested in what is an important part of our economic culture. And it is not boring, a great woolly based gift shop. The Wool Shed Museum is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission fee applies, entrance to the gift shop is free.

Getting there

For more ideas about your Wairarapa holiday check out:

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