Come to the Wairarapa and experience some of the best food and wine in New Zealand.
Sitting at the southern end of the North Island, the Wairarapa region is also home to several nature reserves and has a wild, rugged coastline.
History The Maori people have a long association with the region and it is believed that Maori first settled there more than 800 years ago. 
The name Wairarapa means the "land of the glistening waters", and according to legend, Maui, the explorer, hooked the North Island (a fish). What is now known as Palliser Bay is the fish mouth and Lake Wairarapa is the eye of the fish. Captain James Cook, the English explorer, visited the region in 1770, and named the southern area after his friend Sir Hugh Palliser. European settlers began colonising the region from around 1841. Life for the early settlers was particularly hard, and records show that in 1844, local farmers drove a flock of sheep along the coastline and onto the beach at Palliser Bay, where they then had to carry each sheep through the waves and over rocks at Mukamuka. The arrival of Scandinavian settlers in the 1870s saw the construction of railways and roads, and the clearing of forest for farmland. One of the world's steepest rail lines, the Rimutaka Incline, has a gradient of 1:15. It was completed in 1877 and opened a link with Wellington. Food and Wine The region's pinot noir and pinot gris wines have won many awards, but the area's favourable climate and soils also support several other varieties including merlot. 
The towns of Martinborough and Greytown have both built a reputation as centres where fine foods and wine are readily available. Visitors to either have a wide choice of dining and winery options, and guided winery tours are a great way to meet the locals and sample the best of the regions's produce. Martinborough's location is unique in that many wineries are just a short walk from the picturesque village square. Visitors can sample wines at the Martinborough Wine Centre, and you can even take a leisurely cycle or horse drawn carriage tour around the wineries. Fine dining experiences abound, and at the time of writing, two local restaurants, Wendy Campbell’s French Bistro, and The Martinborough (located on site at Peppers Martinborough), have won New Zealand national food awards. Where To Stay? The Region Has Something To Suit All Tastes And Budgets A relaxed lifestyle, a beautiful natural environment, and wonderful dining and wine options make the region the perfect holiday destination. But where to stay? Your accommodation options cover the full range, from camping grounds, to hotels, to apartments and B & Bs, and even luxury lodges. 
The historic Peppers Martinborough is a lovely boutique hotel with the added advantage of an award winning restaurant. The Wharekauhau Country Estate is a working sheep station which overlooks beautiful Palliser Bay. As one of New Zealand’s top lodges, it's the perfect indulgence if budget allows. The lodge offers farm tours, a spa, guided horse treks and a wonderful dining experience. Click on the following link to view a wide range of Masterton accommodation. Click on the following link to search for Martinborough accommodation. Wairarapa Nature and Wildlife If you want to experience New Zealand's natural environment, this is the place for you. A combination of rugged coastline and extensive forests provides the perfect conditions for some of New Zealand's iconic wildlife to thrive. 
The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre is a sanctuary for native birds, many of which are endangered. Visitors can see the iconic kiwi, the kokako and the kaka. At Cape Palliser, fur seals frolic, particularly during the breeding season from October to January. Walkers are well caterd for with the Lake Wairarapa wetlands and the Aorangi, Rimutaka and Tararua forest parks. And romantics will love the Sunrise at Castle Point. Thrill seekers have a wide range of activities available including surfing at Castle Point, kayaking and rafting on the Waiohene river, surf fishing, and abseiling (at Waiohene gorge). Here Are A Few More Activities In The Wairarapa Region * Visit the Early Settler's Museum at Greytown for a feel of what life was like in the 1800s. 
* Learn all about the Rimutaka Incline at the Fell Locomotive Museum, which houses the only remaining Fell engine in the world, and the only piece of the original track. * Every March, Masterton hosts the Balloon Fiesta, attracting over 15,000 visitors to view the gathering of hot air balloons, with many unusual designs on display. * Shear Discovery in Masterton, is the nation's only museum devoted entirely to the wool industry. Enjoy! Some Interesting Wairarapa Facts * In 2005 a southern hemisphere "Stonehenge" opened near Carterton. The a full size replica of 
the original Stonehenge incorporates ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Indus Valley astronomy, Polynesian navigation, and Celtic and Maori star lore.
* Martinborough’s central streets were designed in the shape of a Union Jack by British patriot and farmer John Martin. * The Putangirua Pinnacles, which were featured in the Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, are over 1000 years old. Heavy rain has eroded the soft rocks which lose around one centimetre each year. * The annual Toast Martinborough wine and food festival attracts more than 10,000 people to the region each November. To learn more about the Wairarapa region, click here to go to the Tourism New Zealand's web site.
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riding distance of numerous wineries, and makes a perfect base from which to explore.
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