Wairarapa
Vineyards, Olive Groves and Rolling Farmland
Famous for its pinot noir, the Wairarapa lies at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Its five characterful townships surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and rolling farmland make it home to some of New Zealand’s leading artisan food producers and winemakers.
Vineyards, Olive Groves and Rolling Farmland
Famous for its pinot noir, the Wairarapa lies at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Its five characterful townships surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and rolling farmland make it home to some of New Zealand’s leading artisan food producers and winemakers.
Experience Wairarapa
- Enjoy a Tui HQ tasting and tour experience at the Tui Brewery
- See endangered native species at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, one of the most important of New Zealand’s attractions for nature lovers
- Visit Greytown, a Victorian country village with metropolitan panache plus great food and coffee
- See the world’s last remaining Fell engine, on display at the Fell Locomotive Museum in Featherston
- Follow the wine trail and do a wine-tasting tour, offering many tempting New Zealand attractions for wine enthusiasts, with some of the country’s best wines from the family-owned vineyards around Martinborough
- Drive to Palliser Bay and see the spooky Putangirua Pinnacles, photogenic fur seals and Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Here is a small selection of the accommodation available in the Wairarapa area, but we have many alternative Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs, Motels and Lodges to suit all tastes and budgets.
Peppers Parehua, Martinborough
Contemporary yet classic, Parehua is just a few minutes’ walk to the charming historic Martinborough Wine Village. Its spacious, stylish Luxury Cottages and Villas are surrounded by park-like grounds, complete with tennis court and swimming pool. Some enjoy stunning vistas across the lake and beyond, while others are set among secluded woodlands with rural views.
Garden Cottage
Garden Cottages overlook the retreat’s immaculate gardens and rural surroundings. Each cottage has its own entrance, a designer kitchenette, air-conditioning, cosy open fireplace, private deck and plush King Zip-bed or Twin singles.
Lakeside Cottage
Lakeside Cottages have a rural outlook, with the willow-fringed lake in the foreground. Each cottage has its own entrance, kitchenette with conventional oven (not kitchen), air conditioning, cosy fireplace, private deck and plush King Zip-bed or Twin singles.
Secluded Cottage
Secluded Cottages are ideal for honeymoons, romantic weekends and rejuvenating escapes. Designed with exclusivity in mind, the cottage has its own private, outdoor cedar hot tub overlooking the lake or farmland, a snug open fireplace and a plush King bed.
Winemakers Cottage
Each Winemaker’s Cottage has its own entrance, a designer kitchenette, air conditioning, cosy fireplace, private patio and either a plush King Zip-bed or Twin singles. The bathroom has a large spa bath and underfloor heating.
Woodland Villa – Two Bedrooms
This spacious and contemporary villa has charming décor and personality plus. It’s ideal for families or a group of friends with two King Zip-beds or one plush King and Twin singles. You’ll enjoy exclusive use of the villa, the surrounding garden and private cedar hot tub.
The Martinborough Hotel
This wonderful colonial hotel dates back to 1882 and is located on the Square, in the heart of Martinborough Wine Village. Renovated in 1996, it now offers sixteen individually designed rooms and is renowned for its contemporary cuisine using classical French techniques and flavour combinations. Boutique wineries producing some of the world’s best pinot noirs are within an easy-walking distance of the hotel.
Heritage Rooms
Part of the original hotel, the spacious Heritage Rooms overlook the vibrant Martinborough Wine Village and picturesque courtyard. Utmost comfort awaits, fine quality bed linen, and walk-in showers or clawfoot baths. Step through the French doors onto the wrapping balcony and take a seat on the rattan chairs to see stunning views from any side of the hotel.
Heritage Suites
The Heritage Suites are a combination of old-world charm with accents of contemporary decor. These suites are also in the original hotel building, but are larger than the Heritage Rooms, featuring aged wooden floors, luxurious Persian rugs, Chinese porcelain and some feature deep old fashioned clawfoot tubs. Throw open the French doors and watch the historical picturesque Martinborough Square, and vibrant village life below.
Superior Garden Suite
This suite is over 40 square metres of pure luxury, with a large tiled walk-in shower and clawfoot tub. It is located up a flight of stairs and has a private balcony with sun loungers overlooking the gardens.
Wharekauhau Country Estate, Palliser Bay
Stay in absolute luxury at this award-winning lodge that is recognized as one of the world’s most exclusive retreats. It’s a country estate, modelled on an Edwardian country mansion, and is located on a 5,000-acre working farm, with 16 miles of coastline. The accommodation is provided in self-contained cottages or Estate Houses with stunning ocean views, dotted around the estate to ensure complete privacy, yet all within easy walking distance of the main lodge – the heart of Wharekauhau – where guests dine and mingle.The fine design, sumptuous furnishings, exquisite tableware and outstanding cuisine all combine to satisfy the senses. Only fresh, local produce is used and the food is complemented by a quality wine cellar showcasing the finest New Zealand wines. Plenty of activities is available both on-site and in the surrounding countryside. Guests can choose to take a hiking trail through the estate, encompassing native forest, idyllic lakes and rivers, farmland, and the breath-taking South Wairarapa coast. Or for those seeking an adrenalin rush, four-wheel drive safaris, horse trekking and trapshooting on the private clay-shooting field are all available.
Cottage Suites
The Cottage Suites are perched high above the thunderous surf of Palliser Bay and enjoy dramatic vistas. Relax in absolute bliss with deep sofas, fluffy pillows, heated marbled floors, and homemade cookies to name just a few of the luxuries.
Some of the experiences available in the Wairarapa are outlined below, but there are many, many more, so please ask for details of any other activity you would like to include during your stay.
Cape Palliser Coastal Explorer Walking Tour, Martinborough
This action-packed day departs by van from Featherston Train Station and takes you to visit the spectacular Palliser Bay. Along the way you’ll walk the Putangirua Pinnacle Track, a unique geological feature which you may recognise as a set from the ‘Lord of the Rings’trilogy. You’ll ascend the 242 steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse before getting out among the elements at the seal colonies and Lake Ferry.
Duration: 7.5 hours (includes picnic lunch)
Martinborough Guided Wine and Vine Cycling Tour, Martinborough
If you really enjoy wine and want to know a bit more about Martinborough and its locals, why not spend a day cycling the vines in the boutique Martinborough Wine Village? On this guided tour, you’ll visit three wineries and an olive grove, and meet many of the interesting personalities behind this region’s wine. If biking isn’t for you, you can hop aboard one of the rickshaws.
Duration: 6 hours (includes a vineyard platter lunch)
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