Stroll around Greytown's now famous art, craft and antiques shops, cafes and restaurants. Salute is our favourite Greytown place for eats, but pays to book well in advance. We can arrange that for you.

Favourite cheap eats place is Cafe Trends (Open 9am to 4pm 06-304 8550)

Visit Greytown's historic village within a village, Cobblestones Early Settlers Museum includes a church, settler's cottage and country school.
Greytown's famous Schoc Chocolates Shop is nearby on the main street, an artisan chocolate studio full of wonderful treats.

Hot air ballooning is an amazing experience, and is just 7 mins away located outside the Paua Factory in Carterton. It's an early start with a flight time of one hour over stunning farmlands and vineyard country, and the picturesque Tararua Ranges provides the backdrop. phone 027 224 8696

Paua World offers multi coloured jewellery and gifts, along with a short film and a behind-the-scenes tour.

The Cape Palliser day trip is our out-and-out favourite - in all weather moods too. Rain, hail or shine! The lighthouse was built in 1897 and the view is worth the hike up 258 steps.
Just before you reach the Cape Palliser lighthouse, you will spot the fur seal colony. You can get out of your car and get quite close to the seals, but a word of caution, the expert advice is not to get between them and their escape to the sea.

The rugged fishing village of Ngawi is also on the way to Cape Palliser, and another compulsory stop is "weird and wonderful" Putangirua Pinnacles, formed by 120,000 years of erosion - In Middle Earth the pinacles are on Dimholt Road in the Return of the King.

We love the wild sea scenery by the iconic Lake Ferry Pub, which is our lunch stop on the Cape Palliser trip. They are world famous for their fish and chips, and also offer whitebait, crayfish and paua when available. ph: 06-307 7831

It's only 15 minute drive to experience the Martinborough Wine Trail - which features over thirty largely family-owned wineries, most within walking distance of the village. Martinborough is a popular weekend destination where you can enjoy the premium wines, boutique stores, olive groves and quality restaurants. Explore the vineyards of Martinborough on foot, by bicycle, London cab or even a horse and carriage.

Our favourite Martinborough cheap eats stop is Siam Kitchen Thai Restaurant 06-3068068

We love the Gladstone Valley (20 mins away) and think it's really under-rated with its pretty landscapes, and emerging vineyards. Gladstone Vineyard is the perfect spot for lunch at weekends and has nice reasonably priced meals. Great atmosphere. 06 379 8563

Other Gladstone Vineyards on the Wairarapa Wine Trail are:
Fairmont Estate 06 379 8498
Johner Estate 027 230 3008
Cottier Estate 06 370 3328
Mebus Estate 06 377 3696
and Thomsons Trail 06 370 2518.

Carter's Scenic Reserve near Gladstone offers easy walking through a rare mix of habitats once typical of the Wairarapa. There are 2 short walks Kahikatea Walk: This 30 minute loop walks takes you through a flooded forest remnant in the Wairarapa.
Ruamahanga River Walk: This easy 20 minute walk follows the boardwalk through the Carter Scenic Reserve, a recovering wetland in the Wairarapa

Meet the locals at the famous Gladstone Inn - known as 'The Gladdy' by the locals. We reckon it's the best country pub in New Zealand.
It has great food, is warm and cozy inside in winter, and has a beautiful outdoor setting for summer where you can admire the dramatic views of the cliffs and surrounding countryside. You won't want to leave ! Ph 06 372 7866

We always pick up a $10 box of fresh Parkvale Mushrooms on the way back from Gladstone for breakfasts back at the cottage. Amazing value.

Also by Gladstone is Stonehenge Aotearoa - not so much a replica of England's ancient Stonehenge as a practical, open-sky observatory.
The astronomer tour guides are world class: Saturdays: 2pm, Sundays: 11am
Bookings essential 06 377 1600

Relive some of New Zealand's rail history at the Fell Locomotive Museum in nearby Featherston. It houses the world's only Fell engine used on the Rimutaka Incline.

One of the region's most popular attractions is Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a 20-minute drive north of Masterton. There are wonderful walks through the native forest with close encounters with threatened wildlife. Feeding time for the eels is usually 1.30pm, and the wild kaka at 3pm. You can also encounter Kiwi in the nocturnal house. Open daily 9am to 4.30pm except Xmas Day

Keep driving north to Wairarapa's famous Mangatainoka's Tui Brewery- you can book a tour or drop into the bar and souvenir shop.

Book a Tranzit tour of distinctive gardens – Both the formal Richmond Gardens in Carterton and Assisi Garden high in the rural Gladstone hills are listed as NZ Gardens of National or Regional Significance. Tour includes lunch at the Gladstone Country Inn, and a wine tasting at one of Gladstone's vineyards

Castlepoint Beach is a spectacular day trip, with its giant limestone reef, lighthouse and landmark Castle Rock. It's Wairarapa's most spectacular beach and a popular summer camping ground.

Riversdale Beach is another day trip, with its long sandy beach, and has been a family resort for more than 50 years. There's good swimming, surfing, fishing and a friendly golf course

Waiohine Gorge, south of Carterton, makes a scenic entrance to Tararua Forest Park. Test the new swing bridge – reputed to be one of the country's longest.

North of Carterton, Mount Holdsworth, is the gateway to many famous tracks, offering anything from an hour's walk to several days tramping. There's plenty of shelter and picnic areas and you can swim in the crisp, clear rivers.