Free and nearly free

There's nothing like having fun on a tight budget. Check out these ideas - they're all free or cheap as chips. 

Cheap as Chips
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Swimming
Get into the local pools or the Trust House Recreation Centre, Masterton for just a couple of coins each, or save your cash and head to some of the great swimming holes around the region.

Mountain Biking
A gold coin will get you entrance to the purpose built mountain bike park near Mt Holdsworth

The Woolshed
Check out NZ's national museum of sheep and shearing - a great experience straight off the sheeps back!

Cobblestones Museum
Cobblestones Museum in Greytown will take adults back to a more simple time and leave the kids astonished! Plus it's right next door to Schoc Chocolates were you can grab a beautiful handcrafted sweet for a couple of dollars.

Fell Locomotive Museum
Fell Locomotive Museum in Featherston is home to H199, the only fell locomotive of its kind in the world! Plus if you head up the road to Cross Creek and walk in you can see fantastic remains of the workpits from back in the day that this engine was actually used!

Pointon Collection
An outstanding look at cars, machinery and clothing from the past and all of it has a Wairarapa story behind it.

Middleton Model Railway
One of the largest model railways in New Zealand.

A Wine Tasting 
The Wairarapa is filled with beautiful wines and you can enjoy a tasting at any one of these for about $5 (some don't charge at all).

Gardens
The Wairarapa region is well known for its beautiful gardens - from formal topiary to blowsy cottage blooms. Pack a picnic and make a day of it.

Absolutely FREE
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Aratoi Museum of Art & History
Based in Masterton, Aratoi tells the history of the Wairarapa through stories and art. They have some spectacular exhibitions on display and are always looking to help out local talent.

Walks
A walk in the Wairarapa can be anything from an easy stroll around a town lake through to a multi day tramp through the Tararua Ranges. Take one of the walking trails that weave through native bush reserves or make your tracks along a Wairarapa beach.

Queen Elizabeth Park
Take some time out and watch the kids play on the awesome playground at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton. Walk the swing bridge to visit the deer and feed the ducks on the lake. There's also a great miniature train that goes for a spin each Sunday - it's not free though, about a dollar per rider, must be one of the few things in the world that's only a dollar!

Swimming
Head to some of the great swimming holes around the region.

Cycling
Take advantage of the Wairarapa's fantastic free cycling tracks!

The Marty Mural Trail in Martinborough is best explored by bike. Get a map from the Martinborough i-SITE Visitor Centre.

Carrington Park
Carrington Park in Carterton has a skate park, a play area for the smaller kids and one for the big kids. A big sports field at the back surrounded by a pathway and fitness equipment mean it's a great spot to kick a ball around.

Greytown Memorial Park
Greytown Memorial Park is great fun for the kids with a sportfield, playground, tennis courts and plenty of magnificent trees to save them from that hot summer sun.

Carterton Mountain Biking Track
A mountain bike track suitable for the whole family, this little ripper is just outside of Carterton in the farming area of Dalefield.

World War I Self-guided Tours
Pick a story which resonates with you and drive to the story's points of interest and explore the Wairarapa at the same time.

Trust House Recreation Centre
Trust House Centre in Masterton is a great Wairarapa family thing to do! A place to swim right next to Queen Elizabeth Park and Aratoi Museum.
Tararua Forest Park
The Tararua Range provides Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Manawatu with an outstanding variety of tramping, hunting and walking opportunities in a wild, natural landscape.
A Family at War
This self guided tour follows the story of two brothers and a sister who each saw very different sides of World War I. You will need to allow at least 60 minutes.
A Bootmaker Goes to War
This self guided tour follows the story of a tradesman who headed off to World War 1. You will need to allow at least two hours.
World War I; Wairarapa Wide
This self-guided tour takes you to many of the Wairarapa’s towns and villages on a scenic tour of the region. The itinerary is best done over a couple of days but you could squeeze it in with a busy day.
Marty Mural Trail
Check out the eight vibrant murals around Martinborough as you walk or cycle around the village.
Remutaka Cycle Trail
The Remutaka Cycle Trail connects Wellington with Wairarapa, winding through a variety of stunning landscapes: a river valley, rolling foothills, bush-clad ranges, old railway tunnels, lake-sides, farm land and a rugged coastline. Choose to ride parts of the trail in one day or ride the whole trail over several days.
Remutaka Cycle Trail day rides
The Remutaka Rail Trail is one of the region’s most rewarding off-road trails. It can be ridden end to end (allow 4-5 hours) or broken up into two smaller sections - beginning and finishing on the Wellington side of the Remutaka Ranges or beginning and finishing on the Wairarapa side of the ranges. 
Remutaka Rail Trail
The Remutaka Rail Trail is a gently graded 18 km bike ride close to Wellington - it's also a hugely popular walk. 
Remutaka Cycle Trail whole
Riding the entire Remutaka Cycle Trail gives you a bike ride packed with variety, terrific scenery and neat places to stay - all so close to Wellington. 
Remutaka Cycle Trail explore more
Cycling holidays don’t mean you need to ride every day. Give yourself a break from the saddle and explore. There’s plenty to do and see near the Remutaka Cycle Trail and you’re close to the Wairarapa’s five towns Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown, Carterton and Masterton.
Pick Your Own Lavender
Every year in January, Lavender Abbey hold popular "Pick Your Own Lavender" days at their property in Carterton. In 2020 you can pick your own bunch of gorgeous lavender from 4-5 January, and possibly the following weekend as well, depending on the stage of flowering.  
Martinborough Star Gazing and Pick Your Own Lavender
Come along with your telescope, a torch, and evening picnic as Becky Bateman, Astronomy Guide from Under The Stars helps you navigate the stars, then pick some laveder as you watch the sun set. 
Cruise Martinborough
Cruise Martinborough is a classic and muscle car event spread over several days in summer, next on from Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 January 2020.