"Wairarapa - New Zealand’s Capital Country" Wairarapa by vtveen

Wairarapa Travel Guide: 91 reviews and 210 photos

Wairarapa is situated in the south east of the North Island. About 100 km’s away from Wellington and 240 km’s from Napier. This region of the country is more or less a hidden treasure, surrounded by the Rimutaka Range (south), Tararua Range (west) and the Pacific Ocean (east).

Excellent destination for a day trip from Wellington, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Or for a stop on the way between Napier and the capital of New Zealand.

Scenery and wildlife

Fur seal colony

Wairarapa has a very diverse scenery with mountains, hills, plains, valleys and a rugged coastline. Ideal for exploring on foot, bicycle or car. Tracks and walks can be found around the area. Along the coastline of Palliser Bay is an easy accessible fur seal colony. North of Masterton is Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.

Townships

Greytown

Wairarapa has some small towns. Masterton is the biggest and Martinborough the smallest, famous for its wineries. Greytown has some unexpected Victorian buildings along the main street. Carterton has a paua shell factory and is well known as the ‘daffodil capital of New Zealand’.

Pros and Cons

Pros:very quiet, amazing scenery, rural pace

Last visit to Wairarapa: Feb 2004
Intro Updated Oct 7, 2009
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Reviews (10)

Paua from the factory Shopping (1)

This shop or factory has everything what has been made of paua (or abalone). And believe that is a lot. Most of them are... more travel advice

Burnside Church Off The Beaten Path (4)

On the way from Martinborough to Lake Ferry and Palliser Bay we passed the Burnside Church, more or less in the middle... more travel advice

Greytown: victorian building - Wairarapa

Greytown - Victorian buildings Things to Do (4)

Greytown is the oldest town in the Wairarapa established by Senator George Grey in 1853. Greytown has some old... more travel advice

Martinborough - wine village Things to Do (4)

Martinborough is a little town with a couple of shops, hotels and restaurants, all more or less around the town square.... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
a real homestay

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Comments (3)

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craic Apr 18, 2009 at 9:22 AM

it's a lovely place - the wairarapa
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nickandchris Oct 28, 2006 at 12:07 PM

This is SO much my scene. Wonderful scenery, no tourists and the best thing....seals!!!!
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salisbury3933 Oct 7, 2006 at 3:12 PM

Great page on the Wairarapa.