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The Wairarapa countryside feels like a world away from Wellington
Wellington is one of the world’s best capitals, thanks in large part to its legendary art scene, trendy cafes, and serpentine, beach-laden coastline. Even with all of its charms, however, it’s always nice to escape the city and breathe some fresh country air—wander freely amidst the vines or chase the sound of the wind. One of the best places to get back to nature is in the Wairarapa countryside, a thinly-populated, sprawling hinterland an hour outside of Wellington.
When taking a Wairarapa day trip from Wellington, having your own car or private transport is the best way to get around. Wairarapa is an enormous area and public transport is scarce, and many of the area’s best adventures require a bit of exploring. More so than anything else, the area is known for its wine. The town of Martinborough, one hour from Wellington, is the center of the Wairarapa wine region, and while only 1% of the nation’s wine is grown in the surrounding valley, events such as the Toast Martinborough wine festival in November have put the region on the map. Spend a summer day cycling the vineyards, stopping to rest in the shade of an olive tree or in a dimly-lit cellar door, and the flat terrain of the wine growing area makes it a perfect day trip from Wellington. Continuing inland past Martinborough, the rural communities of Greytown and Carterton are historic, Victorian-era throwbacks, renowned for their shopping, small-town charm, and refreshingly rural surrounds. Between the two towns is the short turnoff for Waiohine Gorge, a deep and lushly forested part of Tararua Forest Park. As the largest forested park on the North Island, the hiking and trekking within the forest is some of the North Island’s best, with far fewer visitors than you will find at trails like the hyper-popular Great Walks. While here, cross the Waiohine Swing Bridge on foot for a deep look down in the gorge, and reflect on how the urban streets of Wellington feel like a world away.
Or, for travelers looking for a coastal adventure for a day trip outside of Wellington, the rugged Wairarapa coastline is one of the country’s most scenic. The day trip can be pretty long, however, as many parts of the Wairarapa Coast are a bit over two hours from Wellington. That said, if you get an early start during long summer days when it’s light until 10pm, it’s still possible to spend a full day exploring the Wairarapa Coast. At Castlepoint, look for fur seals along the white sand beaches at the base of Castle Rock, a 500 ft. tall coastal spire that is ruggedly regal in its remoteness. Or, farther south at Palliser Bay, travel to the very southern tip of the North Island, and watch the waves as they crash on the rocks at the refreshingly isolated outpost. By night, you’ll be back in Wellington enjoying the cuisine or sipping on a drink in a pub—if, of course, the Wairarapa doesn’t charm you into making it an overnight stay.
Wairarapa Day Trip From Wellington from Auckland & North Island Things to Do
