Wairarapa

With its five characterful towns Wairarapa has terrific shopping, a thriving art and culture scene, a beautiful and at times dramatic coastline, and of course – at the heart of the Classic NZ Wine Trail – superb food, beverage and accommodation.

Just a short drive over the hill from Wellington, the region is super easy to get to.

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.

Many of these businesses are housed in sensitively restored colonial buildings. Learn all about Greytown’s rich history at Cobblestones, a charming historic village and museum on the main street at the southern end of town.

While there, treat yourself to something sweet at Schoc Chocolate studio where owner Murray Langham has created over 80 flavours of his tablet bars, including the most popular lime and chilli.

Neighbouring 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, with the annual Booktown Festival in May.

Another “Feathy” favourite is the Fell Locomotive Museum which houses H199, the only locomotive of its type in the world and presents a unique aspect of New Zealand’s railway heritage.

The locomotive is one of six engines designed for use on New Zealand’s famous Remutaka Rail Trail. The fascinating history of the Remutaka Rail Trail and its Fell locomotives is recalled in the museum with photographs, models, memorabilia, films and an audio-visual presentation “Rimutaka 1949”.

Completing the South Wairarapa’s trio of towns is Martinborough, a true wine village, hemmed by boutique vineyards with 24 cellar doors, many offering wonderful vineyard dining experiences.

Closely knitted together, getting from one vineyard to another is easy - within walking distance, or better still, a quick pedal with “cycling the vines” which is popular among visitors, (note, electric bikes are available).

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 it is an arts precinct as good as any 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 southern-most point.

For more on the region, visit: www.wairarapanz.com.