Top Things to do in Wairarapa
What to do and see in Wairarapa, North Island: The Best Free Things to do
Lush Wairarapa, in the southeast of New Zealand's North Island, is about an hour from Wellington. Its a scenic train ride past Lake Wairarapa to Palliser Bay and the Aorangi Ranges. Explore the forests with birdsong and babbling creeks as a soundtrack. Bask on sandy shores with fur seals. Visit country fairs, pick cider apple and tour vineyards. Day spas, hot air balloon rides and quirky rural golf courses are other relaxing options. Quad biking and rafting offer more up-tempo diversions.
Restaurants in Wairarapa
1. Johner Estate
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By BellsNZ - Feilding, New Zealand
This is our favourite vineyard and we have been visiting on a regular basis for the last six years. The team here produce some fabulous wines, which we are proud to serve to guests - if there are any left in the cupboard. The Johner staff are so welcoming and almost feel like family when we visit. Their on-line ordering and delivery service was a life-saver during lock down - well sanity saver anyway. Take the back road to Johner - you will not regret it.
2. Castlepoint Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 179 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Judave - Tauranga, New Zealand
A place that has been on our bucket list for a while an amazing spot, wild and wonderful scenery. Make the most and climb up to the lighthouse, really worthwhile the scenery is amazing from the vantage spots around the lighthouse.
3. C'est Cheese
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By DorotaB270 - Munkebo, Denmark
we are cheese lovers from Denmark..we drve by on our way to ferry and damn we planned to stock up on our way back to Auckland. It was charming little shop with wonderful owner who guided us thru different flavours. Our best were cumin gouda, smoked blue cheese. and vintage gouda//we also tried some goat sausages and cheese !! Hightly recommended!
4. Fensham Bush Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By CycleKerry - Wellington, New Zealand
Terrific walk not far from Carterton. Well done Forest and Bird for maintaining easy to walk tracks wth a fantastic lookout over the Wairarapa.
5. Mt Holdsworth - Jumbo Circuit
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip. See website for the price of accommodation on this track.
6. Ventana Creative Collective
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Ventana Creative Collective brings organised group creative events (e.g.: nude figure drawing - handsome model can be arranged!, paint the masterpiece sip by sip, silver ring bands, leather sandals, paper flowers, batik silk scarf painting and many more creative workshops), gallery shows and uniquely curated items for the home and self to the thriving Martinborough vineyard town.
7. Palliser Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
The first Winery you come to on State Highway 53 as you enter Martinborough. Look for the white gates on your left. We offer tastings and sales 7 days a week. In Summer, our Chef prepares beautiful fresh platters and lunch offerings to match with our wines. Enjoy a glass or two and friendly game of Petanque in the sun. -Winery tour $30 per person – 50min to an hour – 5 wines to taste while walking around Palliser’s site. -Barrel tasting $55 per person - 50min to an hour – Pinot noir OR chardonnay tasting, conducted in the barrel room, sampling wines from 4 barrels and finish with a taste of one of our Estate wines in the underground cellar -Wine and Cheese pairing – (12 persons max) $50 per person - 50min to an hour –Learn about the beauty of pairing with 5 Estate wines matched to 5 NZ cheeses -Group tasting – (10 to 25 persons) $20 per person
Reviewed By spidernz - Gisborne, New Zealand
After a morning visiting Cape Palliser, what better way to spend the afternoon than drinking wine at Palliser Estate. Friendly and attentive service, delicious wines - we started with tasting selection, then decided to confirm (several times :) ) our favs, just a delightful way to spend an afternoon in the sun. Totally recommended in a beautiful setting.
8. Micro Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
9. Gladstone Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Gladstone Vineyard is the first and foremost vineyard in Gladstone. Enjoy The Flying Winemaker and Gladstone Vineyard Estate wines with a tasting at cellar door or by the glass . Our beautiful Single Vineyard wines are available to purchase by the bottle. We also welcome larger groups ( 15 people or more) for tastings and functions. Please call ahead or email us to book . Enjoy your wine in our relaxed and family-friendly wine garden with a petanque court and if its cold in front of the fire in our function room. New Zealand cheeses, pate ,cold meats , crackers and relishes are available to purchase for a delicious platter with your wine. We also offer Reverse BYO – which means you are welcome to bring a picnic as long as you purchase your beverages from us. Cellar Door is now closed for the winter months.
Reviewed By edwardh518 - Carterton, New Zealand
Superb wine tasting made even better by our sommelier Dra. The insights into each of the wines was extensive. We will go again.
10. Queen Elizabeth Park Boats
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
This delightful urban park offers visitors a lake, an aviary, a children's playground, mini-golf, a swing bridge, gardens and a deer park.
Reviewed By cpcog - Wellington, New Zealand
The boats rental would only opened when the weather is suitable. So, better check before going. We went there on Boxing Day after heavy rain. Sad to say nothing was opened although the rain stopped. We went again on New Year Eve and finally we could experience the double kayak! My daughter loves kayaking very much and wants to do it with me. Queen Elizabeth Park Boats allowed us to kayak together. It was $17 for 2 people. (20 minutes) The duration is long enough for us to have the "journey" around the lake once. The staff was so nice. He helped us from choosing the life jacket to collect everything back. It was nice to kayak there with the ducks and other boats. Other than kayak, you can ride different boats or swan peddle craft. Great for family, lovers or friends. you can also wave your hands to the passengers riding on the mini train! The lake has quite a lot of seaweed. Just be careful about them. We enjoyed the time there! We can use card to pay for the boat rental but you must have cash for the mini train ride.
