Wairarapa & Wellington
Chris McLennan
The capital of New Zealand, Wellington is also a cultural centre. It is home to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and national treasures such as the original Treaty of Waitangi and Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace.
Napier has one of the finest collections of 1930s buildings in the world.
T
he city is compact and interesting, set between a scenic harbour and bush clad hills. Martinborough, a short drive from Wellington, is a popular wine growing area— specialties include pinot noir and riesling.
Classic New Zealand Wine Trail While this touring route has a food and wine focus, you’ll also find plenty of culture, adventure and scenery. From Hawke’s Bay to Marlborough, it’s a journey of the senses. Find country scenery, forest parks, wildlife encounters and indulgent food experiences while you journey from Hawke’s Bay in the North Island to Marlborough in the South Island. Taste your way through three significant wine regions, discover the cultural entertainments of Wellington city and enjoy the rural hospitality of Tararua, famous for its iconic brewery.
Route Summary The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a sign-posted 380km (240 mile) selfdrive touring route that leads travellers off the beaten track. Travel through five
of New Zealand’s most interesting and scenic regions, including three major wine growing areas that account for more than 70% of the country’s wine production.
KEY FEATURES On this touring route you’ll have the opportunity to taste and shop at more than 120 cellar doors, as well as a multitude of vineyard restaurants and cafés. Hawke’s Bay is the land of robust cabernet sauvignon and merlot; in Wairarapa, pinot noir gets star billing; Marlborough is blockbuster sauvignon blanc country. Another appealing aspect of this journey is the chance to visit a variety of provincial towns and cities. Hastings and Napier have some of the finest Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture in the world, courtesy of a major rebuild following a catastrophic earthquake in 1931. You’ll also find an Art Deco masterpiece in the middle of Tararua’s lush countryside—the Tui brewery’s brick brewing tower isn’t in use today, but it marks the spot for brewery tours and a beer or two. Around the Wairarapa region there are charming historic townships to discover: Greytown, Featherston, Carterton and Martinborough. In the South
Island you can explore the port town of Picton, where life revolves around the sea. Marlborough’s main centre is Blenheim, a friendly town that looks after the local wine industry with great restaurants and interesting places to stay (you can even stay in a convent). Recently, a new museum opened in Blenheim—it houses the world’s largest private collection of WWI aircraft. The most urban element of the trail is Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. You can browse the exhibits at Te Papa, the national museum; catch a cable car to the botanic gardens and observatory; stroll around Oriental Parade to Mount Victoria; and see the extraordinary Beehive, the centre of political power in New Zealand. The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail can show you some fascinating wildlife. Hawke’s Bay has the world’s largest mainland gannet colony. In Tararua you can hike in the forest park or visit the Mount Bruce wildlife centre. And if you need to burn off some calories, hiking, biking or kayaking the beautiful Queen Charlotte Track is one of Marlborough’s most satisfying adventures. 11