Masterton, Wairarapa’s largest town, is a popular base for exploring the region. Alongside a number of visitor attractions Masterton hosts a varied summer event calendar. The town has a good range of quality eating options and accommodation to suit all budgets.
Established through the small farm movement of the 1850’s, Masterton remains a service centre for the agricultural industry and proud of its rural history. It is home to the New Zealand Shear Discovery Centre and the annual ‘International Golden Shears competition’.
Close together find Aratoi, the distinctive Wairarapa museum of art and history, providing a focus for a thriving community of artists; Masterton’s recently redeveloped leisure complex and the QEII park. As old as the town the park remains popular, complete with café, adventure playground, skate-park, mini-putt golf course, miniature steam engine, paddle boats and summer pony rides.
The sprawling main street offers a huge range of shops, Masterton’s northern and southern gateways are both enhanced by vineyards.
Click on a town or region to discover what makes the Wairarapa unique.
