Warm still days, blues skies and cooler evenings. Add gorgeous colours in rows of vines and avenues of trees and there’s a wow in Wairarapa in Autumn. Pick your own crunchy apples, celebrate books and reading and look up, up, up, for hot air balloons across the valley. Contact our friendly isite team here to book your Autumn visit.
Autumn highlights...
- WHAT'S ON
- EXPERIENCE
- EAT
- DRINK
- PEDAL
- SHOP
- STAY
Wairarapa Balloon Festival - this much-loved festival fills the Wairarapa skies with glorious balloons over Easter weekend from Thursday 17 to Monday 21 April, providing loads of fun for the whole family and entertainment right across the region.
Greytown Gin Hootenanny - for ten glorious days, Greytown village transforms into a gin-lover’s paradise, with botanical delights and frivolity. From Thursday 17 April to Sunday 27 April.
Greytown Apple Harvest Festival - good old-fashioned family fun set amongst Molewood Orchard, mid harvest, it’s a fresh and fruity day out on Easter Sunday 20 April that celebrates locally grown, with a community focus.
Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival - a wonderful event filled with books, ideas, conversations, workshops, stories and inspiration for all ages from Friday 9 May to Sunday 11 May.
Manuka Honey Beekeeping Experience - join Greytown Honey to experience your very own Manuka Honey make its journey from beehive to jar. You'll get to explore a real working beehive, step behind the scenes of the factory and participate in a full tasting of New Zealand Honey.
Wilderness Whitewater Rafting - experience the wild and untamed forest in the Hutt valley offering unparalleled beauty mixed with the excitement and thrill of Grade 3 wilderness rafting. Step out of your comfort zone and spend the day traversing through Te Awa Kairangi's gorge!
Rahui Coastal Loop - take a bunch of mates, sprinkle with a sense of adventure, put the city aside and feed your soul on the unique e-bike adventure that is Rahui Coastal Loop - ebiking the picturesque Tinui Valley over to Mataikona and Castlepoint Coast.
Wairarapa eats - discover our top foodie spots right across the region.
The Grill at Solway Park - known for its contemporary country cuisine using fresh, high quality local produce - be sure to try a gourmet platter on their deck at lunchtime!
Brac & Bow - a restaurant and bar in The Royal Hotel, an 1868 historic hotel in the heart of Featherston full of NZ Colonial and Victorian architecture, serving fresh local produce and cafe style food.
Cape Palliser Bar and Grill - visit Cape Palliser Bar and Grill at the Waimeha Camping Village, known for its incredible seafood where you can sit outside and take in the stunning views of Cape Palliser.
Main St Deli - a great little cafe that's easy to spot on Greytown's Main Street, well known for its great food made from fresh seasonal ingredients, artisanal deli foods and sunny courtyard!
Boutique vineyards - Wairarapa is at the heart of the Classic NZ Wine Trail with a range of vineyard experiences to suit all taste-buds.
Check out this cellar door list with a handy wine map and get exploring!
Take a guided wine tour to really get behind the scenes, and taste to your hearts content.
Wairarapa Trails - autum is a great time of year to jump on your bike and get pedaling.
Cycle the wineries - mix your cycling with wine tasting around Martinborough Wine Village.
Greytown Woodside Trail - come by train from Wellington? Pop your bike on and cycle the scenic Greytown trail. You can walk it too!
Remutaka Cycle Trail - from one day to multi-day trips. Pick a section to match your abilities and what you're after.
Choose beautiful NZ crafted products from the Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History shop and ConArt Gallery & Studio just around the corner.
Featherston books - grab a must-read for these cooler days from NZ's Booktown with it's wide range of bookshops.
Greytown Village - retail therapy is good for the soul! Browse the designer clothing boutiques, shoe stores, homeware, antique, and art stores in character filled Greytown.
Local Artisinal Food - while you're here pick up some local goodies from The Grocer in Martinborough and C'est Cheese in Featherston.
Stay and make the most of your Wairarapa visit. From boutique hotels and cosy bed & breakfasts, to budget friendly options, we have the perfect place to stay.
Need some local advice or recommendations? Our isite Visitor Information team can book your accommodation and help you plan your trip.