Wairarapa Attractions

Visit Masterton’s Queen Elizabeth Park to enjoy mature trees and beautiful gardens.

Castlepoint. The 162-metre high Castle Rock is one of the most spectacular sites along the Wairarapa coastline. The Castlepoint Lighthouse was one of the last manned lighthouses to be built in New Zealand and started operating in 1913.

Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. Set amidst a pocket of ancient rainforest, the centre runs a captive breeding programme for threatened bird species.

Greytown you can walk the length of New Zealand’s most complete main street of wooden Victorian buildings. There are many fine examples of historic architecture.

Martinborough has become a boutique wine village. Explore the quaint village square where you’ll find several heritage buildings and then, with a trail map in hand, walk to nearby vineyards and wineries.

Cape Palliser you can walk through the forest to the impressive Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve, visit the quirky commercial fishing village of Ngawi and climb 250 steps to the lighthouse. On the roadside see the resident breeding colony of New Zealand fur seals.