Flying to the Wairarapa from the North?
A neat way is to Fly Palmy and pick up a car from the Palmerston North Airport abd drive to Masterton - it’s good! And it's just 1 hour 30 minutes.
Take the Saddle Road to Woodville through Te Apiti Windfarm. It’s astonishing to be close to the 70m high wind turbines! Pull into one of the parking bays and check them out. At Woodville connect with State Highway 2, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. From here head south towards Masterton, it takes about 50 minutes.
It’s just a 5 minute drive from Woodville to Mangatainoka, a tiny town with a big reputation as its home to the legendary Tui Brewery. Discover what goes into the liquid amber on their guided brewery tour before enjoying a cold beer and lunch in the garden bar.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is home to some of New Zealand’s most endangered wildlife including tuatara, eels, kaka, kōkako and kākāriki .Hear conservation stories from rangers at the daily wildlife talks and walk through with the birds in the free flight aviary. There’s a great café too and it's a good spot for a leg stretch for those driving from Hawkes Bay (Pukaha is half way between Napier and Wellington).
Travel to Masterton by Shuttle
Wai Shuttles offer the most frequent Airport Shuttle Services to Palmerston North Airport twice daily return, 4 times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Learn more here.
20 minutes on to Masterton - perfect for the family.
Staying the night in Masterton? Book you accommodation here.
Masterton to Carterton
Stop in Carterton, 10 minutes from Masterton- visit Heart of Arts and don't miss Stonehenge Aotearoa, a working adaption of the original English Stonehenge.
Carterton to Greytown
An easy 10 minute drive from Carterton is Greytown Village known for sophisticated shopping, great food, cute colonial cottages and extra-ordinary chocolate at Schoc.
Greytown to Martinborough Wine Village
Pop on to Martinborough, 20 minutes from Greytown, famous for its 20-odd vineyards, most within walking or cycling distance of the village square. Jump on a bike and cycle the vines - a fun way to check out our vineyards.
Staying in Greytown or Martinborough? Book your accommodation here.
Martinborough to Featherston
Make sure to stop in Featherston home to Featherston Booktown and filled with lots of cute bookshops. While you're there a must stop is C'est Cheese an artisan deli specialising in terrific NZ made cheeses - the perfect place to create a top notch antipasto platter!
Heading onto Wellington?
From Featherston Wellington is only an hours drive away.