Top Things to do in Carterton
The 10 Best Things to Do in Carterton, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in Carterton, New Zealand including Stonehenge Aotearoa, Paua World, Fensham Bush Reserve, Gladstone Vineyard, Waiohine Gorge Suspension Bridge, Wallowing Heights, Mount Bruce Pioneer Museum, Borderlandz Paintball, Awaiti Gardens, Carterton Railway Museum.
Restaurants in Carterton
1. Stonehenge Aotearoa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 132 reviews
Take a tour into the past and discover the secrets of lost civilizations. Although similar in size and appearance to the Stonehenge on Salisbury plain, Stonehenge Aotearoa is not a replica. It is a complete and working structure designed for its precise location in New Zealand. Seasonal so check the website. Generally as follows: Peak summer: everyday, spring and autumn: Wed to Sun, Winter: weekends. Open most public holidays.
Reviewed By Allgoodthyngs - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Don't arrive thinking its all about looking at a replica of UK's Stonehenge. This is so very different and so much more because you are presented with a fully working Astronomical clock. Not only that but also be given the information you will need to understand how it all worked. This knowledge may change your understanding of the universe and the calculations of the seasons for all time.
Very much the brain child of Richard Hall one of New Zealand’s foremost astronomers but actually built by The Phoenix Astronomical Society providing voluntary labour over a period of two years to make the construction. Kay and Richard are both extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject and will enthuse you with old concepts and ideas that help you to take a more educated look at what you thought you knew!
Find out how our ancient ancestors were able navigate and calculate the seasons for harvests. Learn about how to calculate your true Zodiac sign- you may be surprised and of course there is so much more to learn here.
Give this place all the time it needs, watch the introductory movie but be sure to take a full guided tour and have your mind opened and educated as you take a trip through the celestial array and find out what it all means. This Henge is unique as it links with Maori astronomy and the navigational points of the Maori star-compass important for navigating to and from New Zealand and around the Pacific.
The location is absolutely stunning and Kay and Richard will give you the warmest of welcomes.
Ample parking and toilets also a gift shop where you can get books and calendars to take home and peruse. Kay is also a keen gardener so you might pick up something for you garden here too. Bring a picnic and enjoy the whole arena of the landscape.
Wouldn't have missed this for the stars in the universe!
2. Paua World
Overall Ratings
4 based on 57 reviews
Paua World, experience the magic of NZ’s iconic unique shell the Paua. DVD and factory visits, extensive gift shop with factory priced souvenirs and park like grounds. Their is something for everyone including stunning Paua Shell jewellery, NZ Greenstone, Possum Merino which is 30% warmer than Cashmere and NZ's best beauty products made from Manuka Honey, Bee Venom, Lanolin, Olive and Rotorua Mud. You will LOVE our prices!!! All Companies Have a Beginning. Ours was in an old chicken shed in 1979 in the town of Masterton – North Island, New Zealand, population 20,000. Two years later the company and factory was moved South some 14 kilometers to its present purpose built site in the small rural town of Carterton, population 4100. We now have 2 companies, NZDimensionz, Which is our Manufacturing and wholesale company and Paua World-our retail tourist attraction.
Reviewed By Trenham Ian Weatherhead - London, United Kingdom
We passed through the area to have a meal and visit Paua World, worth a short visit and close to Stonehenge Aotearoa (not Stonehenge in the U.K.)
Worth stopping by for an hour.
3. Fensham Bush Reserve
Overall Ratings
5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Phillip B - Palmerston North, New Zealand
Recently did the one hour circuit walk at Fensham Reserve. The track is suitable for people of any fitness and well worth the effort for the view right through the valley. The track is well maintained and clearly sign posted. Take some lunch and enjoy the outdoors.
4. Gladstone Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Gladstone Vineyard is a family business with an international reputation for distinctive, high quality wines of finesse and complexity. Located an hour north of Wellington in the Wairarapa district of New Zealand’s North Island, our principal varieties are Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Free tastings of our award-winning Gladstone Vineyard and 12,000 Miles wines are available at cellar door or purchase a tasting tray of our current release red or white wines to enjoy in our wine garden. We also welcome larger groups (10 people or more) for tastings and winery tours. Please call ahead or email us to book ($5 pp for tasting, $10 pp for a winery tour and tasting). All our wines are available by the glass or bottle to be enjoyed in our relaxed and family-friendly setting with a petanque court and childrens' play area. New Zealand cheeses, local pate and crackers are available to purchase. We also operate a Reverse BYO – which means you are welcome to bring a picnic as long as you purchase your beverages from us. Accommodation is available in our self-contained winery apartment overlooking the vines.
Reviewed By Chairmanblau - Where ever the wind takes me
Went with a group of family members (all adults) to try their wines and also have lunch.
Although I do not drink, apparently the wines were not all that flash and the ones people wanted to try they couldn't.
The food looks like it has been completely scaled back. The burger and their platter looked like the best thing the chicken Cesar salad was small as anything for $18. The salad had slices of smoked chicken and lettuce with carrots and some other vegetables but had no egg, no croutons, no cheese or anchovies. So not actually a Cesar salad
Service was terrible. I ordered a salad but never received it and when I saw the other people get it I told them not to worry about my order. Also we mentioned about the Cesar salad and the owner didn't even apologies or bat an eyelid.
5. Waiohine Gorge Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By RoyOz2016 - Perth, Australia
Amazing views up and down the Waiohine River. A fun experience crossing the bridge. Cautions are listed for excessively windy conditions. For those spending a day here or camping, you can go on one of several trails that involve several hours walking.
6. Wallowing Heights
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By NI_Travellers_12 - Te Awamutu, New Zealand
If you love animals - Wallowing Heights is THE place to go. I am getting on in years, but felt like a big kid visiting this fabulous place. I was able to hold a rabbit, puppy and kitten. Allowed to lead a miniature horse for a while and scratch the back of one enormous pig (didn't realise how big pigs grow and this one was not fully grown - will be going back in a couple of years to see the result of his great lifestyle !). The owners were wonderful and more than happy to give us plenty of time and knowledge of their caring of gorgeous creatures. If I lived near to Wallowing Heights I would certainly volunteer to help out with the animals. I am certainly going back one day for another great time with these lovely animals.
7. Mount Bruce Pioneer Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
This Pioneer Museum is one of the largest private collections in the country. There are various displays including old fire engine, 1919 Moline Tractor, 1927 International truck. Telephone exchange and a large variety of old phones, typewriters and computers. A rock collection, Man powered milking machines, old books and washing machines. Old dentist and photography gear. Chain saws, old farm equipment, a blacksmith shop and much more. The Museum is at Mt Bruce Masterton and _NOT CARTERTON___as shown as the city.
Reviewed By Tracey011 - Masterton, New Zealand
We visited the museum, which is close to Pukaha Mount Bruce, after hearing one of our guests rave about it. We were glad we did. Such an eclectic collection of 'stuff' - from typewriters, phones and other office equipment, the household appliances, manually operated farm equipment (eg a peddle-powered milking machine), medial and dental equipment - and so much more! We were constantly taken back to times such as childhood at grans, first office job, wash-day with mum (wringer on top of washing machine)...truly a trip down memory lane.
you could spend anything from an hour to a day here - fabulous.
8. Borderlandz Paintball
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Established in 2011, Borderlandz Paintball is a family run business in the heart of the Wairarapa. We use the latest paintball markers offering Low Impact & Traditional paintball. Our field is rated as one of the best in New Zealand and offers, trenches, tunnels, bunkers and barricades. We pride ourselves in what we do and strive to give you, the player, the best Paintball experience possible.
Reviewed By okato79 - Okato, New Zealand
A group of us from Taranaki decided to make the trip to borderlandz after drooling over their field photos on Facebook for a fair chunk of time. On the trip down we encountered hail and near zero degree temps, wondering what we had got ourselves into we pulled into the field gates and dragged ourselves out of our cars for the first glimpse of the field, OUTSTANDING is the only description. Clearly there have been a lot of thought and planning put into the construction with plenty of bunkers and trenches to slow up close battles, I think it’s as close to trench warfare as you will get without having to avoid real lead firing machine gunners. All in all my only regret is the fact it’s an 8 hour round trip to get there and back, but rest assured I will be back
9. Awaiti Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Julie M - Wellington, New Zealand
We are garden lovers enjoying the tranquility and beauty of this expansive garden with its series of "rooms" leading from one to the other. Each brings its own stunning picture. This time of year the rhododendrons are in full bloom. Their splendour is breathtaking, colours brilliant against the lush green foliage and expansive lawns.
Awaiti, means 'little stream' in Maori. The Gardens were named after the gentle stream which meanders through them and the large waterlily filled pond, complete with water wheel. On this visit we wandered happily through much of the garden, following curving pathways, stopping to take countless photos of the beautiful river stone walls, mass plantings of trees and shrubs. Birdsong added to our enjoyment and we watched several beautiful species of our native birds in flight and feeding in the branches.
Awaiti Gardens are a hidden treasure, not visible from the road, and therefore a wonderful surprise to first time visitors. We enter through a gift shop full of enticing Christmas goodies at this time of the year. The welcome is warm. Hospitality at its best! We happily pay a token fee to visit the Gardens and stay as long as we wish (till 10.00am - 4.00pm Thursday - Sunday and public holidays in summer months). Hours vary at different times of the year so it is a good idea to check opening times.
Their Gardens and the work involved in turning 6 acres of bare farmland into such an exquisite experience for visitors like us, is an extraordinary achievement spanning almost 40 years. Indeed a beautiful ongoing labour of love by the Gates family. We were invited to bring a picnic next time ... That will be wonderful!
You can visit on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday too (appointment only)
10. Carterton Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By neich2014 - Carterton, New Zealand
I have often viewed this wonderful museum, its well worth a visit in Carterton.. many folk do not realise there is such a good museum in the town! Everything is displayed so well. It is on my list to any visitor I meet up with, and I meet dozens per month!
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