|
masterton
 Masterton
is the commercial heart of the Wairarapa farming area, the
archetypal ‘true blue’ Kiwi sheep country.
Expansive plains and rolling grasslands curve away to the distant
skyline where small, silhouetted forms stand motionless. Closer
observation shows that the thousands of seemingly lifeless forms
are the ubiquitous New Zealand sheep.
The town is an easy day trip from Wellington and is popular as a
country escape for the capital city’s residents. It is also
a good stopover point for travellers wanting to explore the rural
scene. There are hotels and motels available plus farm-stays,
country cottages and exclusive lodges.
The most popular attraction in town is the picturesque Queen
Elizabeth Park. Take time to stroll through the grounds, which
feature a lake (with boats for hire), mature trees,
children’s playground, suspension bridge, miniature railway,
aviary and aquarium.
Masterton was the site of New Zealand’s first sheep station.
This farming heritage is celebrated with pride when the city
hosts the annual Golden Shears Festival. The reputation of this
event ensures that the world’s best shearers flock to this
competition in droves.
North of the town is a ‘must see’ nature reserve where
captive-breeding programmes are helping to save our endangered
native birds. The Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre has some
of the world’s rarest birds - kokako, saddleback, kea,
kakapo, kiwi and takahe housed in aviaries along a one kilometre
walk.
To the south you can visit a number of small Wairarapa towns
which have their own distinctive features. Carterton is renowned
as the ‘Daffodil Capital’ of the country.
Greytown has an outstanding main street of genuine wooden
buildings of Victorian design. Featherston has two unique museums
based on the railways and local heritage. Martinborough is famed
for its international award-winning pinot noir wines.
If you wish to spice up your visit with a taste of excitement the
Tourism Wairarapa centre in Dixon Street, Masterton can direct
you to classic Kiwi adventures such as jet boating, fishing on
local rivers and surfing on the untamed east coast. Or you can
try hot-air ballooning - the sky’s the limit.
|
