Atrações de Wairarapa

Explore the wine village of Martinborough

Full of colonial charm, Martinborough has more than 30 wineries, most within walking distance of the exotic village square, which is represented at Union Jack. Some of New Zealand's best pinot noirs come from the vineyards owned by friendly families in the city.

• Stroll around the village square and admire the city's historic heritage buildings, then explore the boutiques, cafes and restaurants, whose menus contain dishes prepared with local produce.
• Visit the Martinborough Wine Center, where you can taste various wines from the region's wineries in the same place. Wines can also be purchased here and sent by post to your home.
• With a map of wines in hand, enjoy a walk or cycle through the region's family-owned vineyards and discover why Martinborough is famous for its pinot noir. Don't forget to visit one of the municipality's award-winning olive groves.
• Relax on a guided wine tour, such as the "Martinborough Gourmet Wine Tour", held daily by Tranzit Tours, great for those who have limited time in the region and want to have a different representation of the vineyards. You can also come in November to Toast Martinborough, a major festival of wine, food and music.

Discover the charm of Greytown

Greytown is a metropolitan-style Victorian country village. Established in 1854, it was the first planned city in the interior of New Zealand, but in recent years it has been transformed into a sophisticated village with free Wi-Fi spots on its Main Street.

• Don't forget your credit card. Greytown's eclectic mix of independent boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and cafés make it one of the top shopping destinations.
• Refuel at the chocolate studio, Schoc Chocolate. Sample fresh pastries from The French Baker and enjoy local produce in a number of stylish cafés and restaurants.
• Rent a tandem bicycle to explore the countryside.
• Walk along New Zealand's most complete main street, lined with Victorian wooden buildings. There are several good examples of historic architecture.
• Visit Papawai Marae, the site of the first Maori Parliament, with a wharenui (meeting house) dating back to 1888.
• Visit the Cobblestones, the Early Settlers Museum in Wairarapa, where the city's pioneering history comes to life.

Sharpen your Carterton skills

Carterton was established in 1857 and is quickly becoming known as an art center.

• Carterton is an access point for art and craft lovers. Stroll on High Street, with its thrift stores, art galleries and cafes, or visit a local artisan working in your home studio.
• Explore Stonehenge Aotearoa , a modern and functional version of Stonehenge in England.
• Take a short drive north and explore the wine producing areas of Gladstone and Dakins Road.
• Stroll through historic Carrington House and Gardens, which boasts 12 acres of gardens designed by renowned landscape architect Alfred Buxton (open from September to April, for group bookings only).

Masterton family fun

Masterton , the largest of the five municipalities that make up Wairarapa, is a friendly, vibrant and family-friendly city. It has long been an important service center for farms in the region.

• Queen Elizabeth Park is home to the fabulous Kids Own Playground, the flying fox, mini golf, Skate Park and the suspension bridge that leads to Deer Park. It is a great place to have a picnic.
• Take a trip back in time with The Vintage Aviator Collection(opens in new window) (TVAL), located in the historic Hood Aerodrome, and see one of the world's largest collections of original World War I aircraft.
• Head north through central New Zealand and be amazed by the height of the Tui brewery's seven-story tower. Visit Tui HQ(opens in new window) and enjoy a coffee or beer tasting.

A day at Castlepoint Beach

Spending your holidays on Castlepoint's wild beach is part of the local culture of Wairarapa.

• Climb to the top of the magnificent 162 meters high Castle Rock.
• Walk to Castlepoint Lighthouse, one of the last manned lighthouses to be built in New Zealand.
• Castlepoint Reserve is home to one of the rarest daisies in the world, Castlepoint Daisy, also known as Brachyglottis compactus.
• Investigate the fossil-rich limestone reef.
• The waters of the beach are frequently visited by fur seals and several species of New Zealand dolphins. Occasionally, small whales can be seen.

See rare wildlife at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Center

Pukaha Mount Bruce is where some of New Zealand's endangered species are bred and returned to the wild.

• Find wild kakas when they leave the forest for their daily food at 3pm.
• The eels stir the water during their daily feeding, at 1:30 pm.
• See the kiwi peering through the litter in its nocturnal habitat.
• Many rare native birds, such as kokako, araponga, takahe, kakariki and black mallards, can also be seen in their leafy kingdom.
• Children will also love the audiovisual presentation that works continuously, in addition to the interactive educational exhibitions.
• Go on one of several short walks in the forest with the giant rimu, rat, kahikatea and tawa.

An expedition to Cape Palliser

Cape Palliser is the southernmost point on North Island. Take your camera, prepare things for a picnic and spend the day there.

• Walk through the forest to Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve and see some scary rock formations.
• Visit the eccentric commercial fishing village of Ngawi, where tractors line up on the beach.
• Climb the 250 steps of the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, built in 1897.
• At the side of the road, see New Zealand's largest fur seal breeding colony.
• A rich history of early Maori occupations is still evident in the landscape. Look for terracing and kumara wells.

A day at Castlepoint Beach

Vacations on the wild beaches of Castlepoint are part of the local culture of Wairarapa.

• Climb to the top of the impressive Castle Rock - 162 meters high.
• Walk to Castlepoint Lighthouse, one of the last manned lighthouses built in New Zealand.
• The Castlepoint Reserve is home to one of the rarest daisies in the world - the Castlepoint Daisy, also known as Brachyglottis compactus.
• Investigate fossil-rich limestone coral reefs.
• Offshore waters are frequently visited by New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphins. Sometimes, you can see little whales.

See wildlife at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Center

Mount Bruce Pukaha is where some of New Zealand's endangered species are bred and returned to the wild. 

• Meet wild kaka while diving out of the forest at 3pm, their daily meal.
• The eels rippled the water during their daily meal at 1:30 p.m.
• Look at the kiwi sticking out among the litter of leaves in her nocturnal home.
• Many rare distinctive birds - kokako, stitchbirds, takahe, kakariki and black teal can also be seen in their lush world.
• Kids will always love the continuous audiovisual presentation and interactive educational display.
• Be sure to take one of the many short walks through the forest with rimu, flat, kahikatea, and gigantic laughter.

Expedition to Cape Palliser

Cape Palliser is the southernmost point of the North Island. Grab your camera, go on a picnic, and enjoy your day.

• Walk through the forest to Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve and see some creepy-looking rock formations.
• Visit the quaint commercial fishing village of Ngawi, where tractors line the coast.
• Climb 250 steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse, built in 1897.
• From the side of the road, observe the largest colony of resident fur seals on the North Island.
• The rich history of the early occupation of the Maori people is still evident in this landscape. Look for terraces and kumara pits.