Wellington - Wairarapa

Day 1: Wellington - Greytown

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Wellington, in the afternoon collect a rental vehicle and self-drive from Wellington to Greytown via Featherston, approximately 1 hour.

Alternatively your clients may wish to take the train from Wellington city to Greytown, Carterton or Masterton. A local bus service operates between Featherston and Martinborough.

There are a wide range of accommodation options in Wairarapa. Your clients may wish to base themselves in one town for the duration of their stay; Greytown, Martinborough and Masterton are good options.

Many describe historic Greytown as the prettiest town in the North Island, known for its carefully restored Victorian buildings, designer boutiques, and quirky local stores.

Recommended activities:

• Your clients may wish to stop in Featherston en route to Greytown. Explore the town and visit the Fell Locomotive Museum

Greytown

• Stroll along the main street and browse the designer boutiques, sample delicious chocolates at the local chocolatier, and relax at one of the bustling cafés and restaurants

Day 2: Greytown - Martinborough - Greytown

In the morning self-drive from Greytown to Martinborough, approximately 15 minutes.

Spend the day exploring local vineyards all within walking distance of Martinborough’s village centre. Alternatively hire a bike and enjoy a leisurely cycle around the vineyards.

If sampling wines today, your clients should designate a sober driver, New Zealand has strict laws on drinking and driving and heavy penalties apply.

Martinborough is at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, packed full of boutique wineries and excellent eateries. Award-winning Pinot Noir is a signature variety of the region and the local produce is second to none.

Recommended activities:

• Hire a bike or take a guided tour by Rickshaw around the vineyards with Green Jersey Cycling Tours
• Enjoy a guided Martinborough Gourmet Wine Tour
• Experience a private Martinborough Food and Wine Producers Tour

Day 3: Greytown - Cape Palliser - Greytown

In the morning self-drive the dramatically scenic road from Greytown to Cape Palliser, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Spend the day exploring Cape Palliser.

Alternatively your clients may wish to join the local postman as he delivers the mail along scenic country roads and rugged coastline between the township of Featherston and Cape Palliser.

Recommended activities:

• Stop at the fishing village of Ngawi and see the distinctive fleet of tractors and bulldozers parked on the beach
• Explore Lake Ferry
• Walk the 250 steps up to the Cape Palliser lighthouse
• View the North Island’s largest colony of New Zealand fur seals at Cape Palliser 
• Visit the Putangirua Pinnacles, a filming location for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The walk to the pinnacles will take approximately two hours return. Food, water and sensible walking shoes are advised

Day 4: Greytown - Masterton - Greytown

After brunch self-drive from Greytown to Masterton, approximately 25 minutes, or take the local bus.

Spend the day exploring Masterton.
 
Masterton is the largest town in the Wairarapa region. It is well known for its Golden Shears shearing competition held every year in March.

Recommended activities:

• Enjoy the beautiful gardens at Queen Elizabeth Park
• Visit Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History
• See the rare white kiwi plus other birds and wildlife at Pukaha Mount Bruce, just north of Masterton
• Enjoy a full guided tour of the iconic Tui Brewery in the quaint village of Mangatainoka, north of Masterton

Day 5: Greytown - Wellington

Spend the morning exploring Greytown. In the afternoon self-drive from Greytown to Wellington, approximately 1 hour. Alternatively catch a local bus to Woodside Station in Greytown and board the train to Wellington.

Your clients may wish to continue on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and self-drive from Greytown to Napier, approximately 3 hours.