Food, Wine & Stargazing Itinerary

Lonely Planet has selected Wairarapa’s stargazing, food and wine as one of the world’s top experiences for 2026. We're over the moon, come and celebrate with us!

Have a weekend full of flavour, relaxation and stargazing wonder in Wairarapa. Wander farmers markets, enjoy long vineyard lunches, explore charming boutique towns and unwind under the brilliance of our Dark Sky Reserve.

Day 1: Evening

Arrive in Wairarapa - just over an hour from Wellington and Palmerston North on State Highway 2 The Classic NZ Wine Trail, rolling into Masterton, Carterton, Greytown, Featherston or Martinborough.
Fancy a gin after your travels? Wairarapa is fast becoming a hub for gin distilleries with a number to choose from. Enjoy a tasting at Greytown Distilling Company - they even have their very own Dark Sky gin.
Dinner - enjoy the evening at one of our many restaurants championing local produce. Try The Captain’s Dining Room at The White Swan in Greytown, or The Runholder in Martinborough. This is just the start of our dining options.
Nightcap under the stars – even from your accommodation, get set for some stargazing magic where you will see never-ending star filled skies above.

Day 2: Morning

Farmers Markets - start the day wandering the market at Featherston or the Wairarapa Farmers Market in Masterton. Pick up freshly baked bread, local honey, cheeses, preserves, and fresh produce - delicious!
Coffee & boutique browsing - exploring the charming towns of Wairarapa is an absolute delight! Each town has its own unique personality, and the best part is that they're all just a short drive away from each other. Greytown’s main street is lined with stylish shops, cafes, even a chocolatier. Perfect for mid-morning browsing.

Day 2: Afternoon

Explore our wineries - taste delicious, award-winning drops at our vineyards and wineries beginning in Opaki, north of Masterton, travelling through Gladstone, before ending at the wine village of Martinborough.
Martinborough Wine Village – hire a bike or join a guided wine tour. Flat, quiet roads connect over 20 wineries.
Vineyard Lunch - settle in at a winery like Poppies Martinborough, Urlar Gladstone, Moy Hall Martinborough or Le Gra Masterton for a long lunch in the vines.

Capture Studios

Day 2: Evening

Dinner – take your pick from restaurants across the region or laid back eats from a local food truck.
Stargazing experience – join a guided stargazing experience in our Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve. Under the Stars can come to your accommodation or keep the exploring going and head to Star Safari, 15mins from Martinborough or Carterton.

Day 3: Morning

Coastal Escape - our stunning coastline offers breathtaking views and unique experiences from Castlepoint and Riversdale to Cape Palliser.
At Cape Palliser, grab a bite to eat at The Land Girl or enjoy a seaside lunch at the Cape Palliser Bar & Grill or Lake Ferry Hotel.
You're sorted for lunch at The Homewood Storeroom, Riversdale or Castlepoint Hotel.
Farmers Market – catch the Carterton Farmers Market, for super local produce.

Grant Sheehan

Day 3: Afternoon

Stock up on all of our Wairarapa goodness to keep the tasty treats going once you return home. Wairarapa wineries, C’est Cheese, Schoc Chocolates, Martinborough Wine Merchants and Blue Earth Estate olive oils are just the beginning.

There are so many eats, drinks and stargazing experiences to enjoy in Wairarapa, it’s hard to fit it all into just one weekend. All the more reason to plan your return visit, each season brings new flavours, new skies and new food & wine events to come back and try.