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New Zealand
> Wairarapa
Situated on the
south east coast of the North Island, the
Wairarapa is the outdoor playground of New
Zealand's capital city Wellington.
The region is bordered by the Tararua Range to the
west and the Pacific Ocean to the east and is an
area that gives you a feeling of being off the
beaten track, one almost of isolation from the
rest of the country.
Renown as a
country escape, Wairarapa is a large area
featuring uncrowded space, a low population and
where the pleasures of a country drive are easy to
experience. One of the best ways to encounter the
rural charm is to stay in one of the over 100
cottages or rural homestays that are available in
the region.
From Akitio in
the north to Palliser Bay in the south the wild
coast has been the graveyard of many a embattled
ship and here you will experience nature as
closely as you dare. There are lighthouses, a seal
colony, coastal mountains, and well-serviced beach
communities. With the waters off Wairarapa being
rich in marine life there is outstanding fishing
and some of the best surfing to be found in New
Zealand.
Recreational
hunting brings many overseas visitors to
Wairarapa. Deer, pig, goat and possum hunting all
aid in the conservation work in the area. Hunting
is permitted all year round with a hunting permit
and access to all three Wairarapa forest parks is
readily available.
For those who
really enjoy an adrenaline rush, there is kayaking
and canoeing on the Ruamahanga River, rafting,
abseiling, bridge swinging and caving. Historic
Greytown has established itself as the adventuring
activities centre of the region. From here you can
set off to experience quad-biking, jet boating,
hot air ballooning, gliding, flying, diving with
seals, clay target shooting, high ropes courses,
sky-diving, horse-trekking or a Patuna Chasm walk.
If you would like to try rock climbing in a safer
way, Masteron's Oasis Climbing Wall confronts
novice climbers or experts alike, with slabs,
verticals and dizzying overhangs.
For those who
would prefer more leisurely pursuits there are a
large number of established golf courses, with
degrees of difficulty and prices to the suit the
beginner and experienced player alike. Wairarapa
also has a reputation for garden visits and tours,
They range from country homestead gardens to
cottage gardens in towns. Some gardens are open
all year round, but many only open from September
to April and some even provide teas.
The
Martinborough wine village is fast becoming a
‘must see’ destination on any New Zealand
excursion.
This
area (originally known as Martinborough or
Wairarapa) has emerged in a remarkably short space
of time as one of New Zealand’s most prestigious
winegrowing regions. It is the coolest of the
North Island’s winegrowing regions but it is also
the driest and escapes some of the late summer and
autumn rains that cause problems in Gisborne and
Hawkes Bay.
A high proportion
of red wine grape plantings have given rise to a
flow
of chardonnays, rieslings, pinot noirs and other
varieties of excellent quality.
The
first modern era Wellington wines were bottled in
1984 and wine
tasting and tours of the boutique wineries in the
area are available.
Whether your
passion is communing with nature and exciting
outdoor activities or the more genteel pastimes of
discovery shopping, relaxing at a rural retreat,
or experiencing quality wines or an excellent
choice of multi-cultural food menu options,
Wairarapa will delight you. Be sure not to limit
yourself to the main road or you will miss many of
the attractions.
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