One of New Zealand's premier wine-growing regions just 50km north of Wellington. The surrounding towns have developed antique shops, cafes and book stores.

Check out tuatara and long-fin eels at Puhaka National Wildlife Centre or explore their walk-through aviary, take a guided or cultural tour, and see carvers in action at the whare whakairo (carving workshop)

Visit Cape Palliser, the southernmost point of the North Island, to see fur seals, Lake Ferry, Ngawi fishing village and the lighthouse. Or take a walk into the spectacular Pinnacles.

Surf, swim, fish, play golf at Riversdale and Castlepoint - or walk up to the Lighthouse at Castlepoint.

Check out Wairarapa's amazing Dark Sky with an Under the Stars astronomy tour or visit Stonehenge Aotearoa for a full-scale working adaptation of Stonehenge or take their Star Safari and learn about the stars.