If you’ve got an appetite for wine, cuisine and cycling, Martinborough could well be the ultimate destination for your summer adventures
And with the popular upcoming Toast Martinborough Festival taking place on January 19, it’s the perfect time to plan your trip, soaking in the multitude of experiences and delights the region has to offer, and lingering a little longer to explore other parts of Wairarapa on your journey.
1. Toast Wairarapa
If you want to ensure a truly fabulous weekend of decadence, travel down for the weekend of January 19. Toast Martinborough Festival takes places over Wellington Anniversary weekend, allowing plenty of time to enjoy all that the region has to offer. Festivities run from Friday January 17 through to Monday January 20. With such a cast offering of vineyards, there’s simply no way to explore the fine food and wine offerings in one day, so factor this into your timetable.
Pack your walking shoes also, as Festival Road is a picturesque 2.5km stretch meandering along eight of Martinborough’s boutique wineries, and each will have its own wine, food and live music offerings. Closed off to traffic, this scenic walkable route allows you to explore individual wineries at your leisure, with only a 5–10-minute walk between each location.
Motorhomes and caravans are catered for at Tauherenikau Racecourse Holiday Park with powered and non-powered sites booking out fast.
2. Wairarapa Dark Skies
Take some time to look upwards. The night sky in the Wairarapa is officially among the best places in the world to view the never-ending star filled skies. The South Wairarapa and Carterton districts’ night skies were officially certified as an International Dark Sky Reserve in January 2023, under the collective name Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve. The reserve covers an area of 3665 square kilometres.
The Wairarapa now joins 20 other International Dark Sky Reserves around the world, and one other New Zealand dark sky reserve in the Aoraki-Mackenzie region. Only an hour’s drive from Wellington, the reserve is aiming to expand into Masterton as well. Viewing the night sky from special places like Castlepoint is an unforgettable experience. Book in for a local dark sky tour, where guides share their top viewing tips and guide you through the sky with telescopes to help make sense of all that glitter. It’s an endlessly unique experience whether you’re travelling solo, with friends or family, or after something special for a romantic evening for two.
3. Travel Together
Rediscover the charm of an old-fashioned bike ride – with a difference. Indi Bikes Martinborough offer snazzy red quadri-cycles so you can combine your pedal power and enjoy cycling as a group of two, four or six. There are also trikes and single bikes for hire.
There’s a whole host of cycling options in the region and one of the most popular options is to cycle the vines, taking in a vineyard lunch at any number of lovely winery restaurants – The Runholder, Moy Hall, Poppies, Luna, Three Little Words, Colombo, Pallier Estate to name just a few.
4. Walk the Patuna Chasm
For something a bit more adventurous, you can’t go past the stunningly beautiful Patuna Chasm. A 15-minute drive from Martinborough, and situated on a working sheep and beef farm, the walk is a three-hour hike with spectacular views.
The ancient limestone gorge is like entering a prehistoric world. You’ll start the journey with a 15-minute farm trailer ride from the Patuna homestead, along the farm track to the trail head. From there you can guide yourself and walk amongst regenerating native bush before entering the stunning chasm, then stroll along the Ruakokopatuna river where you can see limestone caves, rock formations, beautiful moss-lined waterfalls and native eels.
After three hours, you’ll be picked up and taken back to the homestead. With views worthy of the silver screen, or an Instagram post, it’s an experience not to be missed.
5. Summer Events Extravaganza
The Wairarapa hosts some fantastic events throughout the year. The Music In The Country Festival is a standout one to plan some travel plans around. This annual summer event brings together the top country music acts in New Zealand. Celebrating 10 years running, this year’s event takes place 10-12 January 2025 and features an amazing lineup of some of New Zealand’s finest multi-award-winning musicians.
The festival offers a range of family-friendly activities, including line-dance classes and lawn games, and there’s even walk-up sessions that encourages festival goers to share their songs and talent on stage.
If country music isn’t your jam, check out the Rotary Martinborough Fair, taking place on the first Saturday of February and the first Saturday of March 2025. The fair is one of the largest and most popular craft markets in the southern hemisphere. The fair features 500 stall holders who come from all over the country, so there’s something for the whole family.
6. Road trip to Palliser Lighthouse
Drive the coast road to Cape Palliser, where you can climb a lighthouse, watch a seal colony and enjoy the non-stop views. The road to Cape Palliser is dramatically scenic, from the pounding surf and rocky coastline to the stunning sunsets.
On your way, take a coffee stop at The Land Girl. Stop at the Putangirua Pinnacles and marvel at the rock formations after a hike up the riverbed.
Built in 1897, the Cape Palliser lighthouse steps will test your fitness. Take a deep breath and climb the 250 steps if you can. And to finish off the day, grab some fish and chips for lunch at The Lake Ferry Pub on the way back.
7. Take a break from the road
The classic Martinborough Hotel is full of charm and quirks. Described since 1882 as one of ‘the finest hostelries ever erected in any inland town in New Zealand’, the hotel offers a sense of history, character and comfort. The walls feature historical sketches of Wairarapa personalities, and the front desk is home to a battered suitcase of a gentleman traveller.
Alternatively, treat yourself to a night of luxury at Wharekauhau in Palliser Bay. This luxury hideaway is set in the foothills of the Remutaka Mountain Range and the clifftops of Palliser Bay, and offers guests an unforgettable farm stay experience. Wharekauhau features elegant suites and villas, gourmet meals and a range of activities onsite.
8. Visit Rototawai
Rototawai is a restored homestead amongst tranquil gardens, available to the public (by appointment) to meander through, and enjoy the private art collection of Anna Bidwell. Anna has been a collector for more than 50 years. The development of the Rototawai Collection and refurbishment of the Homestead and gardens has been a passion project for her. The permanent collection is hung in the reception rooms throughout the lower floor of the homestead.
Outside, visitors can explore the expansive grounds, featuring eight hectares of magnificent gardens and historic trees. Established trees are marked for visitors and new planting includes the return of a number of Araucaria bidwillii (commonly known as bunya pine). Birdlife in the park is abundant – the lake has ducks in season, and a resident bevy of black swans.
Keep an eye on local happenings with the official website for Martinborough Village – martinborough-village.co.nz to ensure you don’t miss out on any special activities and local events, as the calendar is constantly evolving with exciting new additions.
