Top Things to do in Wairarapa
What to do and see in Wairarapa, North Island: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. The Pointon Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Private Collection of Vintage & Veteran Cars, motorcycles & automobilia displayed to resemble a 1930's country garage. This includes an extensive collection of garage equipment, signs, tools & manuals. All vehicles on display are in driveable condition. An extensive collection of original period clothing (1870 - 1970) is rotated every 3 months & the displays are changed accordingly - this includes wedding gowns, evening gowns, daywear, accessories etc. All visitors are greeted & taken on a tour of the complex - which also includes gardens & craft shop.
Reviewed By Gmacuku - Waiau Pa, New Zealand
Not just about vintage cars. More the wile range of tools and memorabilia from the period. Well worth visiting and if you have a guided tour with the Pointon’s then all the better.
2. Martinborough Wine Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 164 reviews
Tours start at $99 per person. Ranging from half day afternoon tours to our exclusive 'Martinborough in a Day' tour. Take the stress out of drink/driving as all our tours are fully chauffeured. Our Martinborough in a day tour takes you to four vineyards, enjoy a wine-matched lunch and visit an Olive Grove or take the 'Pinot to Palliser Bay' tour for something different. This tour goes to the fishing village of Ngawi and to the iconic Lighthouse at Cape Palliser. Enjoy lunch and a beer or coffee at the historic Lake Ferry Hotel. All tours are conducted in luxury vehicles hosted by a local who knows the region intimately. This is your opportunity to go behind the scenes, meet winemakers and producers not normally available to the general public, while at the same time tasting the fantastic produce and wines of the region.
3. Poppies Martinborough
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 190 reviews
Poppies Martinborough is the tasting room cellar door for our wines we serve a simple but beautiful vineyard platter for lunch that we believe will enhance our wines
Reviewed By fionah108
Poppy and the staff were most welcoming. Our platter was the perfect lunch to have with our chosen wine
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. The Vintage Aviator Museum
7. 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.
8. On Giants' Shoulders
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Braden and Gabrielle Crosby are winegrowers, gardeners, parents and lovers of wine, driven to make textured white wines and perfumed Pinot noir from their four hectare vineyard in the heart of Martinborough. Always happy to see old friends and welcome new ones, we invite you to visit our vineyard to experience our extraordinary wines; and the stunning natural beauty of our vineyard overlooking the majestic Tararua Ranges. Visits are by reservation only. Our tastings are private, intimate and informative experiences guided by either Braden or Gabrielle.
Reviewed By GM007_1 - Auckland, New Zealand
A fantastic tasting with the owner and winemaker (Braden) A small group taken through an intimate tasting. Great to hear the personnel stories of the winery and the stories of each of the wines This is so much more than just a tasting and worth booking And the wines are fantastic as well. If you are a wine enthusiast make a booking you will love the experience.
9. Fell Locomotive Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By TheAngelTree
Small, but very informative museum. Good for anyone interested in social history, not just railway enthusiasts. The guide was welcoming and gave us information we may not have picked up otherwise.
10. 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.
