Things to Do in the Wairarapa: My Favourite Places + Food
The Wairarapa is just over an hour from Wellington, but it feels a world away from the city.
I lived here for most of my life, from growing up in Carterton to working summers in Martinborough.
That means I know the local favourites, and also the things you can skip.
Here are the best things to do in the Wairarapa, with my favourite places to eat and drink.
Quick Answer: My Top Wairarapa Picks
⭐⭐⭐ Where should you stay? ASURE Oak Estate Motor Lodge in Greytown puts you right in the middle of the region, with Martinborough and Masterton both a short drive away. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ Best thing to book? The Martinborough Winery Tour, so you can enjoy the tastings without worrying about driving. Check availability →
Just over an hour from Wellington, the Wairarapa is the perfect getaway if you are looking for somewhere a bit quieter and want a rural experience.
What to Do in the Wairarapa
You have to hike up Rocky Lookout at Mt Holdsworth and also Mount Dick lookout in Carterton. I share both (plus four more) in my post on the best Wairarapa walks.
If you are not a hiker, I highly suggest a night tour at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre to see and hear kiwi out in the wild. They only run in winter, so make sure you book well in advance!
You can also visit in the daytime and feed the eels or see the rare white kiwi! This is one of my favourite things to do in the Wairarapa.
Another suggestion is to hire a bike in Martinborough and do wine tastings!
Most cellar doors charge a small tasting fee, and it’s a great way to see the scenery while drinking some good quality wine. Foodies should also book a day at Lavender’s Green cooking school near Featherston.
If you are a beach goer then Castlepoint Beach might be the one for you. It’s a great beach with lots to do but bring a picnic with you as there are no food shops out there anymore!
When you’re done exploring what to do in Greytown, Castlepoint Beach is less than a 90 minute drive away. It’s one of the best free things to do in Wairarapa!
There is a pub just outside of the town at the Castlepoint Hotel. It’s pretty cheap and good for decent pub food.
Another hike I also love in the Wairarapa is the Putangirua Pinnacles Track.
Where to Eat in the Wairarapa
1. Martinborough
If you’re on the North Island and wondering about things to do in Wairarapa this weekend, you have to go to Poppies Martinborough. It is set in a beautiful location in the vines.
Poppies is a tasting room for their dazzling wines but they also offer a seasonal vineyard platter for lunch to complement them.
It’s worth it for the service you get, and you will probably spend most of the afternoon here.
Poppy and Shane are the highlights of the place though, so tell them Anita says hello!
If you are looking for a quick snack, pop into Kitchener’s, one of my favourite Martinborough restaurants, for a bacon buttie. It’s cheap and it’s where the locals grab food on the go!
A wine tasting in Martinborough is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the Wairarapa and shouldn’t be missed, and there are plenty of other things to do in Martinborough too.
2. Masterton
Cafe Strada in Masterton is also an excellent option and one of the top things to do in Masterton. They have a great selection of food, smoothies, lovely coffee and wine for you to try!
It is right next door to the theatre which I mention below as well. My favourite is their creamy chicken, bacon and mushroom fettuccine!
There is also a great place to get amazing wood fired pizza! It’s called The Farriers Bar & Eatery. Reasonably priced and it will leave your belly more than full!
3. Greytown
When you’re not enjoying your Greytown accommodation and attractions, it’s time to make the most of the Greytown eateries!
Eating your way through Greytown is one of my top things to do in the Wairarapa for anyone who loves food as much as I do.
Greytown has some amazing places to eat including The French Baker. It has great coffee and delicious French pastries that make my mouth water!
It’s right on the high street so you can have a bite to eat and people watch at the same time.
Need a dessert fix? Head to Schoc Chocolate. They offer delicious chocolate that’s made on site.
They have over 60 flavours including pink peppercorn, whole lime and salt and smoke paprika! You can taste the chocolate before you buy it as well! It’s located on Main St in Greytown.
As you can see, there are many delicious things to do Greytown offers foodie visitors!
Where I’d Stay in the Wairarapa
(⭐⭐⭐ = my top pick)
⭐⭐⭐ ASURE Oak Estate Motor Lodge: Pick this one if you want a central base. It’s in Greytown, handy for the cafés on Main Street, and it has a 9.2 rating from over 450 reviews. Check prices & availability →
⭐⭐ History @ Renall: Pick this one if you want to stay in Masterton. It’s close to town, the rooms look out over the garden, and it has a 9.1 rating on Booking.com. Check prices & availability →
⭐ The Castle: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. Yes, it’s really called The Castle, and it’s one of the highest-rated stays in Greytown. Check prices & availability →
What Not to Do in the Wairarapa
There’s what to do in the Wairarapa, and then there’s what NOT to do in the Wairarapa. Here are a few things to keep in mind when explore all the things to do in the Wairarapa.
- Don’t hang around the McDonald’s car park late on a Friday or Saturday night. All the locals will probably laugh at that comment. 3 words: full of drunks.
Also, trying to find a car park on the weekend in Greytown is manic!
- Don’t forget to bring your manners. When hiking or doing walks it’s always nice to say thank you if someone has let you pass or even say a friendly hello.
- Don’t drop your rubbish. New Zealand’s landscape is impeccably clean compared to most other destinations I have visited. Let’s keep it that way!
3 Wairarapa Experiences I’d Book Right Away
🍷 Martinborough Winery Tour: Pick this one if you want to taste the Pinot Noir this region is famous for. It’s a half-day tour with a 4.9 rating from over 200 reviews. Check availability →
🧀 Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: Pick this one if you love food as much as I do. It takes you around the wider Wairarapa with tastings along the way. Check availability →
🚲 Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Explorer: Pick this one if you want something a little unique. You ride the old railway line over the Remutaka Range on an e-bike, through tunnels and over bridges. Check availability →
Other Fun Facts About the Wairarapa
- In the summer (December to February) the Wairarapa is usually in drought season. Be conservative with water and please DO NOT chuck your cigarette out of the window. Remember, don’t start an open fire in the campsites in drought season, it’s a huge fire risk!
- The national sheep shearing competition (Golden Shears) is held in Masterton every year in March. The fastest time to shear a sheep was 39.31 seconds!
- If you want to go to a traditional ‘old school’ movie theatre, head to the Regent 3 in Masterton. The building is amazing and very traditional. You have to have popcorn as well, it is the tastiest in all the land! Don’t forget to look up when you first walk in, the ceiling is amazingly decorated.
- Extra fact! 3 of the biggest Hollywood directors live in the Wairarapa! Peter Jackson lives near Masterton, Vincent Ward lives somewhere in Greytown and James Cameron lives just out of Featherston. James Cameron also owns a vegan shop in Greytown called Food Forest Organics.
- Ngawi is a rugged stretch of coastline in the Wairarapa, about an hour and a half’s drive from Carterton. It is home to the largest seal colony in the North Island! Make sure you block your nose when you stop to see them.
Note: The Wairarapa has a bad transport system so if you would like to get about I suggest you hire a car.
Taxis are very expensive and there are simply not enough buses and train services to get you to the most beautiful places.
My Number One Tip: Hire a Car for Full Flexibility
If you’re staying a few nights, the Wairarapa is much easier if you have your own wheels. The buses and trains won’t get you to most of the places on this list, so I’d pick up a car in Wellington.
Check here for the best car rental companies and prices for your Wairarapa trip →
I hope you enjoyed this travel guide on the best fun things to do in the Wairarapa! You must visit if you are heading to NZ.
