Top 10 Things to do in the Wairarapa these holiday

From sampling Northern Wairarapa wines to exploring east coast beaches, here is a list of the top 10 things to do in the Wairarapa these holidays. 

1.The new Wairarapa Family Pass provides access to four of the region’s top family attractions at an affordable price. The pass gives entry for two adults and two children to Pukaha Mt Bruce wild life centre, the Genesis Energy Recreation Centre in Masterton, Shear Discovery and Cafe Solway and Golf Driving Range, the latter where families will receive four buckets of golf balls. As an added bonus children will receive free desserts at Apache Jacks family restaurant in Kuripuni. The Pass costs only $60 but is valued at over $100, meaning essentially kids go free. It can be purchased in person at the Masterton or Martinborough i-SITE Visitor Centres or by phoning 06 370 0900. Visit www.wairarapanz.com. 

2. Experience endangered wildlife up close at Pukaha Mt Bruce only 20 minutes drive north of Masterton. You will see what is being done to save kiwi, tuatara, kokako, and kaka as well as experiencing the sights and sounds of an ancient forest in an interactive gallery. Take a walk under the beautiful forest canopy and watch the eels and kaka being feed. Mt Bruce is open daily this summer 9am – 4.30pm. Visit www.mtbruce.org.nz for more information. 

3. The windswept beach at Castlepoint is the perfect spot if you are looking for great Kiwi outdoor fun. Whether you are into walking across the reef to the Castlepoint Lighthouse, fossicking amongst the rock pools; surfing, swimming, golfing, canoeing or fishing this spectacular spot – voted No 75 on the AA’s 101 Must Do’s for Kiwis – is a must. Castlepoint is only one hour drive east of Masterton and best enjoyed from the beach with a feed of fish ‘n’ chips. 

4. For parents and grandparents wanting time out from the kids, spend a leisurely afternoon pedaling amongst the vineyards and olive groves of  Northern Wairarapa with March Hare Cycling. This new cycling experience, located only 1 ½ hours from Wellington, offers visitors the chance to hire bicycles and explore Opaki, one of New Zealand’s up and coming wine regions. Director of March Hare Cycling, Gretchen Bunny, says the self guided cycling tour has been specially designed to give an insiders look around the area located five minutes north of Masterton as well as the chance to sample fresh local produce, a variety of wines and olive oils. Starting at Loop Line Olives visitors cycle cross country on quality and comfortable bikes taking with them an easy to follow map. A well marked route guides visitors across farmland where along the way they can stop and enjoy a picnic of locally sourced produce. Cost is $65 per person and includes bike and helmet hire, a delicious picnic, a route map and exclusive access across private land. www.march-hare.co.nz. 

5. Start the New Year with a country horse racing experience held at the picturesque Tauherenikau Racecourse near Featherston. Picnic under Kahikatea and Totara trees. It’s a great family day and an opportunity to try on your new summer dress. For more information phone 06 308 9026 or visit www.tauherenikau.co.nz. 

6. For those wanting something a little different, Greytown’s Puzzlewood has an extensive range of games and puzzles. Come along and see the holograms, play extra large board games and see yourself in distorting mirrors. There is also a mini maze. Picnic tables are in the garden where you can relax and have lunch and play outdoor games. Puzzlewood is open everyday during the school holidays. www.puzzlewood.co.nz

7. The Wairarapa Art Review is on display at Aratoi Art & History Museum in Masterton and runs until January 17th. The Review, which has been held every two years since 1999, is open to all artists in the Wairarapa region. This year more than 120 entries were received of which 41 were selected for the exhibition with Masterton-based artist Kate Small claiming the supreme award with her painting Dermatology Plus. Aratoi is located on Bruce St, just across the road from the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park, and is open seven days 10am – 4.30pm. 

8. Enjoy an afternoon of Blues & Jazz featuring Erna Ferry and Rodger Fox at Loopline Vineyard just north of Masterton on Sunday January 10. Wine and gourmet finger food will be available with tickets $30. For more information visit www.loopline.co.nz. All proceeds will go to Opaki School. 

9. For those wanting to contemplate the bigger picture these holidays Stonehenge Aotearoa is the perfect place to do so. Situated 10 minutes from Carterton, Stonehenge Aotearoa is a window into the past where visitors can rediscover the knowledge of their ancestors. Built on the same scale as Stonehenge in England. Stonehenge Aotearoa is not a replica.  It is a complete and working structure designed and built for its precise location. People can explore the mysteries of our past and learn how early cultures, including New Zealand Maori, used the Sun, Moon and stars for life and survival. Stonehenge Aotearoa is open December 27th - January 10th from 10am to 4pm with a guided tour at 2pm, except on Sundays when it runs at 11am.www.astronomynz.org.nz/stonehenge/

10. A lifetime of cars and automotive history is on display at Gasoline Heaven, just north of Carterton. From old enamel signs, to fuel bowsers, antique oil cans, boxes, and oil boys this is one of the biggest single collections of its kind in New Zealand. Gasoline Heaven has an extensive range of automotive memorabilia, as well as a range of cars, trucks, hot rods, drag cars and customs which are constantly changing. Owner Bob Wilton also boasts a collection of English Ford Zephyr cars, along with a nostalgia dragster. There is a BBQ and picnic area, and tea and coffee is available. State Highway 2, Carterton. PH: 06 3798933. www.gasolineheaven.co.nz

Okay. So we told you this was a list of the top 10 things to in the Wairarapa but why stop there? There’s so much happening in the region these holidays we’ve thrown in five more exciting events for you.  

11. If aviation is more your thing, a superb collection of vintage World War I & II aircrafts are on display at the Vintage Aviator, based at Hood Aerodrome on the outskirts of Masterton. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour on weekends at 11am, 1 and 3pm. A special Joyous Noel WW1 Air Display is on January 23 from 4.30pm until 7pm with gates opening at 3pm. There will be steam traction rides available as well as other entertainment. Adults $20pp, children under 17 $10pp, families $50. For more information phone Sara Randle on 021 311 606. 

12. The Joyous Noel Air Display is one of many bumper events happening in the Wairarapa on Wellington Anniversary Weekend (January 23 – 25) – so why not pack up the car and come with your friends and family. Other events you can check out include the Greytown Arts Festival (January 23-25) which will showcase visual and performing artists from Wairarapa and further a field while free music, street performances and tours of the historic town’s parks and gardens will also be available. The highlight of the music programme will be the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra, which plays at the Kuranui College Performing Arts Centre (Te Whare o Moroa) on Saturday 23 January. Additional music events include a chamber concert by The Amazon Trio and an American Blues Night. www.greytownartsfestival.co.nz.  

13. Those with a penchant for wine and food will be well catered for during the Meandering Vineyard Lunch. Four Martinborough wineries Croft Wines, Coney Wines, Julicher Estate and Te Hera Estate will share their experiences and passion for wine and the region. Starting by bus in the Martinborough Square at 10.30am and returning at 5pm. Tickets are $135pp and available from the vineyards or Wineseeker, 86-96 Victoria St, Wellington. 

14. Heartland rugby will be on show on January 23 when the Hurricanes take on the Blues in a Super 14 pre-season match at the Mangatainoka Rugby Football Club grounds, right beside Tui Brewery. It’s been billed as a festival of sport with pre-match and post match entertainment. www.tui.co.nz  

15. For those just wanting to chill out, enjoy the scenery and test themselves against nature why not enter the Lake Ferry Fishing Competition beginning at 9am. 

For more information on these events as well other events this summer visit www.wairarapanz.com