The towns of Wairarapa are fun to visit, especially for those interested in local food and wines. You can’t miss Featherston, at the bottom of the Rimutaka Range. The cheese shop itself is worth the stop.
Martinborough is the centre of the modestly sized but high-quality local wine industry. It is best known for its Pinot Noir. There are also several good cafes and restaurants.
Greytown won a ‘Best Small Town in NZ’ award. The galleries, cafes and eateries are also excellent.
Masterton is bigger and not quite as cute, but it has a nice park and a collection of small art galleries on Queen St.
You can easily visit the towns along State Highway 2, with a deviation on State Highway 53 to Martinsborough. Alternatively, catch a train from downtown Wellington and take a bike.
