Drive over the Rimutaka Hill from Wellington and you enter a different world as the Wairarapa Valley opens up before you. This is still 'Capital Country' but without the stress. Here you can enjoy a slower pace - a happy blend of latté and lifestyle, wine and wilderness.
Castlepoint, 65 km east of Masterton, is a summer retreat amidst dramatic lagoon and lighthouse scenery where soul-uplifting and mind-clearing walks are de rigueur. The sandy beaches and craggy headlands, mark the only significant break in 300 km of desolate, wind-battered coastline from Cape Palliser to Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay.
Masterton promotes itself as being a 'World Away Over the Hill' but still offers all the amenities for a perfect holiday retreat. The 32 hectare Queen Elizabeth Park is perhaps its most endearing asset for families. Attractions include a superbly designed lake, an aviary, children's playground, mini-golf, swing bridge, glorious gardens and a deer park.
Masterton's commercial centre is strung along three parallel roads - Chapel, Queen and Dixon Streets. The wining and dining scene is excellent with modern restaurants, cafes and bars. The superb Aratoi Art and History Museum has a pleasant cafe. Cafe Solway, behind the Copthorne Resort, is fully licensed with a blackboard menu.
New Plymouth is certainly blessed with an unusual beauty rarely found in other parts of the world. The majestic volcanic cone of Mt Taranaki provides an incredible backdrop to the stunning coastline
Surrounding Districts If you and your friends are up for real adventure then take a ¾ hour drive out of town to Waitomo Caves. Surrounded by picturesque native bush, here is where you can take on more courageous pursuits.
Separated from the Tasmania’s main island by the Mercury Passage, the former penal settlement of Maria Island is a dedicated national park.
