About the local area
Experience the beauty of the Wairarapa countryside
Wairarapa
From wild trails to star-studded skies, Wairarapa offers adventure for everyone. Savor local wine, cheese, and olives, cycle scenic routes, enjoy boutique shopping, or plan a romantic escape.
With towns and attractions close together, you can pack your days with fun—from rugged coastlines to the Tararua Ranges and charming vineyard villages.
Year-round events, from gourmet festivals to family-friendly activities, ensure there’s always something happening!
Autumn
March - May
Wairarapa Balloon FestivalThursday 17 to Monday 21 April 2025. This Easter, hot air balloons fill the skies for five days, with morning take-offs from different towns. The Family Carnival at Solway Showgrounds features live music, kids' activities, food trucks, and an Easter egg hunt. After dark, watch balloons glow in sync with music.
Greytown Gin Hootenanny17-27 April 2025. For 10 days, Greytown transforms into a gin-lover’s paradise with tastings, cocktails, and themed events.
Featherston BooktownFriday 9 May to Sunday 11 May 2025. Celebrate books, ideas, and storytelling in Featherston, a literary haven just an hour from Wellington. This beloved festival features author talks, workshops, and more. Explore eight bookshops, stroll between venues, and enjoy a cozy autumn weekend immersed in literature. Book early for this cultural highlight!
Winter
June - August
Matariki at StonehengeFri 20 Jun. Celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, marked by the appearance of the Pleiades star cluster. at Stonehenge Aotearoa. Discover its significance in Māori and Polynesian traditions, hear ancient legends, and explore the stars' physical nature. Bookings essential.
Spring
September - November
Spring Equinox23 September 2025. Celebrate the Spring Equinox with us! Watch the sunset from within the henge (weather permitting), learn how ancestors viewed the equinox, and explore the night sky.
Legends of Matariki1 November 2025. Explore Māori and Polynesian constellations, legends, and the stars' physical nature on a guided evening tour at New Zealand's Stonehenge. Led by experts with laser pointers, uncover ancient navigation techniques and the mysteries of the night sky in a captivating blend of mythology and astronomy.
Rathkeale Christmas Fete1 November 2025. Join us for the 22nd annual Christmas Fête at Rathkeale College! Enjoy over 120 stalls featuring Christmas decorations, arts, crafts, food, and more. Treat yourself to gourmet food, Devonshire Teas, and live music, while kids enjoy face painting and magic shows.
Summer
December - February
Trust House Summer HummerFeb 2026. Masterton. Join us for a fun-filled day at Queen Elizabeth Park, with miniature train rides, pedal boats, the new skatepark, and live music. Food trucks will be onsite, or bring your own picnic. Entry is a $2 donation. To avoid disappointment, pre-reserve your spot online with a gold coin donation. Once capacity is reached, no further entry will be allowed.
Toast MartinboroughJan 2026. Toast Martinborough, New Zealand's premier wine and food festival, takes place over Wellington Anniversary weekend in January. Celebrating 30 years, it features top vineyards offering wine and food pairings, live music, and stunning outdoor settings. Enjoy a mix of classic favorites, exciting new vineyards, and local craft beer, all complemented by the region’s finest food and entertainment.
Flyfishing
The Wairarapa region is a hidden gem for fly fishing enthusiasts, offering pristine rivers and streams teeming with brown and rainbow trout. With its stunning landscapes, from rolling hills to crystal-clear waters, anglers can enjoy both challenging and rewarding fishing experiences. Whether you're wading in the Ruamahanga River or exploring remote backcountry streams, the Wairarapa provides a serene escape for those seeking the thrill of the catch.
Wairarapa dark skies
Our Wairarapa skies are filled with epic action and stars galore.
Wairarapa is an official Dark Sky Reserve status meaning our night sky is among the best places in the world to view the never-ending star filled skies above. We’re pretty lucky to have a Dark Sky Reserve right on our doorstep and only an hour’s drive from Wellington.
We can all spot the Southern Cross and the Pot but there’s much more to see! Experts at local dark sky tours, can guide you through the sky with telescopes to help make sense of what’s up
Wairarapa wine harvest festival
Feb 2026
Kick off the grape harvest season with wine, food, and entertainment at the Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival!
Held at ‘The Cliffs’ on the Ruamahunga River, just 10 minutes from Masterton and Carterton, the festival offers a unique, vineyard setting with easy access to public transport.
Note: Tickets for the 2026 Wairarapa Wines Harvest Festival are not yet available. Stay tuned for updates and be sure to grab yours once they’re released!
Golden shears 2026
4-7 march 2026
New Zealand will host the 20th Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Masterton in 2026.
The event will take place over four days, from March 4-7, 2026, alongside the Golden Shears International Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, which have been held annually in Masterton since 1961.
Further details will be available closer to the event. Stay tuned for more information on schedules, participants, and ticketing.
Places to visit year round
Explore Martinborough Wine Village
Martinborough charms with its colonial heritage and over 20 walkable wineries, renowned for world-class pinot noir. Stroll the village square, browse boutique shops, and enjoy local cafés and restaurants.
Pick up wines at Martinborough Wine Merchants or tour family-owned vineyards by foot or bike. Visit Olivo Olive Grove, home to the region’s oldest olive trees. For a guided experience, join a wine tour or visit in January for Toast Martinborough, a top wine, food, and music festival.
See rare wildlife at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre breeds and protects endangered species. Watch wild kākā at their 3pm feed, eels at 1:30pm, and spot kiwi in the nocturnal house.
See rare birds like kōkako, stitchbirds, takahē, and kākāriki, explore interactive exhibits, and enjoy scenic forest walks among giant rimu and rātā trees.
A day at Castlepoint Beach
A local favorite, Castlepoint offers stunning coastal adventures. Climb 162m Castle Rock, visit the historic lighthouse, and explore the fossil-rich limestone reef.
Spot rare Castlepoint daisies and watch for fur seals, dolphins, and even occasional whales in the waters offshore.
Discover the charm of Greytown
This historic 1854 village blends heritage with modern style. Stroll its Victorian main street, shop unique boutiques, and explore art galleries and antique stores.
Indulge in Schoc Chocolate, fresh pastries from The French Baker, and local café delights. Hire a tandem bike to explore the countryside or visit Cobblestones Museum for a glimpse into pioneer history.
Additional Activities
There are plenty of activities in the area, including fishing, golfing, and horseback riding. If you're interested in any of these activities, please let us know and we'll be happy to help you arrange them.