Masterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand

There is so much more to the Wairarapa region than just Martinborough and Greytown! Drive a little further north and you will find Masterton, the central town in the Wairarapa.

In comparison to the southern villages, Masterton has much more to offer the weekend visitor. A typical weekend can include a visit to the farmers market on Saturday morning at the Solway showgrounds which sells local produce such as olive oil, cheese, beer, specialty bread and, depending on the weather, fresh locally-caught sea food.

There are several vineyards around Masterton with cellar door-sales. Worth a visit are Loopline and Paper Road vineyards just outside the town boundary on State Highway 2. On the way to those vineyards you pass the Little Red Barn which offers gate-sales of their berry fruit and a growing list of other products.

To the south lies the rural district of Gladstone, an area well worth exploring. The award-winning Gladstone Inn offers a true country pub experience. Nearby is the Gladstone vineyard and on the return to Masterton the wineries in the growing East Taratahi appellation.

On the opposite side of State Highway 2 is access to the Tararua Forest Park via the popular Holdsworth walking track. In the same Norfolk Road area is the Riverlea petting zoo, popular with the children, and Bolly Boliger's wood-fired pizza cafe as well as Paul Melser Pottery and Jeremy Bicknell's wooden furniture workshop.

In the city centre itself you'll find Genesis Recreation Centre which incorporates both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and Queen Elizabeth Park with its duck pond, mini railway and hire boats. Or head out to the coast for some sea air at Riversdale and Castlepoint beaches.

Natusch House offers an opportunity to enjoy all that Masterton has to offer. The house is a short stroll to the town centre including restaurants and cafes. It is the only centrally-based self-contained accommodation in Masterton.