The Wairarapa has a host of attractions, from the boutique wineries of Martinborough village to walking trails in the Tararua Range, spotting fur seals at Cape Palliser and stargazing under the Wairarapa's dark skies.

SIP UNDER THE SUN IN MARTINBOROUGH

With over 20 cellar doors, the compact village of Martinborough is a wine lover’s paradise, particularly if you’re a fan of Pinot Noir, the Martinborough terroir produces some of the best across the motu (country).

Many serve excellent food; platters from Poppies, pizzas from Colombo, Asian fusion at Luna Estate and sharing plates from Moy Hall are the stuff of legend and the hearty dinner options at Tirohana Estate can’t be missed!

For those who wish to explore the village at their own pace, bike hire is an excellent way to make your way around the village.

GET OUTDOORS

The Tararua ranges offer a number of walking tracks of varying degrees of difficulty in a wild landscape, the Donnelly Flat loop walk is even suitable for children.

Make a trip to Cape Palliser between mid-November and mid-January and you may be treated to the sight of the North Island's largest New Zealand fur seal colony.

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

With remarkably low light pollution, Wairarapa is ideal for stargazing. A number of providers offer dark sky experiences and a collective effort is underway for the region to gain official accreditation as a Dark Sky Reserve.