Springtime in the Wairarapa
From $1300.00 per person
The Wairarapa is a farming area east of the rugged Tararua Ranges where sheep graze and in the south fine wines are produced. The coast is wild, noted for fishing, surfing, and seals. Orchards and market gardeners sell from roadside stalls while the commercial centre of Masterton hosts the annual Golden Shears International Shearing Competition. Many fine private mansions and gardens are open to the public, as well as numerous arts and crafts outlets.
Day 1 - HAMILTON - MASTERTON (D) We depart Hamilton travelling through the King Country with our morning tea stop at Taumarunui. After morning tea we continue south and have the views of the mountains accompanying us through to Ohakune and Waiouru. Our lunch stop today (own expense) is at Flat Hills, Ohingaiti. We tour on passing Vinegar Hill Domain to Cheltenham and Fielding then cross the Tararua Range via the Paihatua Track to Masterton. On arrival in Masterton we will have a brief tour of the town area before arriving at our accommodation for the next three nights. Nestled in the lush Wairarapa Valley framed by the towering Tararua Ranges, Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park is set in 24 acres of gardens and native bush on the outskirts of Wairarapa's largest town. The hotel has a café, driving range, fitness centre and indoor pool. Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park, Masterton - 3 Nights
Day 2 - LOCAL SIGHTSEEING (BLD) We commence our travels today with a visit to Te Parae. Designed and built in 1905 the homestead is still owned and operated by fourth generation family members. The 600sqm two storey home is set in extensive park-like gardens featuring 100 year old oaks, weeping elms, taxodium, Wellingtonia, and liquid amber trees, with a ten acre lake forming a picturesque vista. Step back in time and enjoy a guided stroll around the extensive gardens and stables followed by a peek inside the homestead. A country style morning tea will be served following the tour, where guests can sit and enjoy the surrounds, whilst listening to a brief history of the family & property, as told by Angela Irving, your host and fourth generation family member of Te Parae. We will stop at the Clareville Bakery – renowned for its pies – for you to purchase something for lunch before having some free time in Carterton. We then continue on to Stonehenge Aotearoa which is unique in New Zealand and internationally, as a place of science and wonder. Built by members of the Phoenix Astronomical Society with the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand the purpose of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The Henge is a window into the past, stone circles played an important part in the history of almost everyone. The stones are neutral and welcome people of all cultures, beliefs, faiths and religions. We then continue on to Martinborough to visit Olivo – the Olive Grove. Olivo is the oldest commercial olive grove in the Wairarapa where you’ll be able to taste internationally renowned olive oils. This gorgeous English-style, well-established park-like garden is around 20 years old and sweeps out to the well-known olive grove. This garden has many interesting features including sculptures, large borders, the potager and it even has its own orchard. You’ll see lots of interesting plants and flowers including romneya poppies, spring bulbs, flowering cherry trees, and fabulous artichokes in the potager. Your host is Helen Meehan and their beagle dog is Sophie.
Day 3 - LOCAL SIGHTSEEING (BD) Travelling out this morning we first of all visit Kahikatea Gardens. A 900-year old Kahikatea, Totara and Titoki trees, once part of the original bush that extended down from the Tararua Ranges provide a wonderful backdrop to this garden. Rhododendrons, camellias and other flowering trees and shrubs provide a continuous range of colour throughout the year. A highlight is the petting farm area with donkeys – (Jordan and Petra) and alpacas (Miss Peru and Bolivia). The miniature horses and pet sheep love to be pampered and given a treat or two as well! Travelling through Greytown we stop to visit the Cobblestones Historic Village. The Cobblestones Regional Early Settlers Museum is located on the original site of the stables operated by Cobb & Co and the Hastwells to provide a mail and passenger service between Wellington and the Wairarapa from 1866. We also have time to visit Schoc Chocolate. Schoc is a unique artisan chocolate studio located at Cobblestones Village Museum, which has over 50 flavours including caramel tequila, lavender and lime and chocolate salt. A stop will then be made at the smart country ‘pub’ - The Tin Hut at Tauherenikau, for lunch (own expense) in an attractive outdoor setting. We then visit Fernside - an English style country garden on a grand scale. Fernside's gardens were established in the 1870s and now new owners have spent the last 5 years restoring, re-establishing and further developing this glorious garden. You will be amazed at the new Secret Garden, the formal rose garden, the sunken garden, bridges and lake. Fernside was transformed into Lothlorien in the first Lord of the Rings film. Time permitting we will have a stop at Parkvale Mushrooms to allow you to purchase some wonderful mushrooms before returning to our accommodation in Masterton.
Day 4 - MASTERTON - NAPIER (BD) On leaving Masterton we travel north stopping at the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Park, a centre developed by the Department of Conservation for the protection of our native species. Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre is a nationally and internationally recognised captive breeding facility for a number of threatened bird species including Kiwi. We will take in the highlights of the Pukaha Tour, guided by a Department of Conservation ranger. Next, visit the Kiwi House where adult kiwi, including Manukura, our very special and rare little White Kiwi can be viewed in their nocturnal habitat. Learn all about these wonderful endangered birds before taking a seat in the Kiwi Theatre to view short entertaining films. Next, visit the other birds and animals of Pukaha including the Kokako, Kahurangi, eels and Tuatara. Continuing on we pass through Kopuaranga where we stop to view the Scandinavian Camp Memorial Plaque recording the hardships of the Scandanavian Bushman. We travel back via Pahiatua, Woodville and Dannevirke then follow State Highway 50 we continue on to Napier where we will have a brief tour before arriving at our accommodation. Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier
Day 5 - NAPIER - HAMILTON (B) Today after a leisurely breakfast we depart Napier following the Esk Valley we tour through Taupo back to Hamilton and our home cities.
Day 2 - LOCAL SIGHTSEEING (BLD) We commence our travels today with a visit to Te Parae. Designed and built in 1905 the homestead is still owned and operated by fourth generation family members. The 600sqm two storey home is set in extensive park-like gardens featuring 100 year old oaks, weeping elms, taxodium, Wellingtonia, and liquid amber trees, with a ten acre lake forming a picturesque vista. Step back in time and enjoy a guided stroll around the extensive gardens and stables followed by a peek inside the homestead. A country style morning tea will be served following the tour, where guests can sit and enjoy the surrounds, whilst listening to a brief history of the family & property, as told by Angela Irving, your host and fourth generation family member of Te Parae. We will stop at the Clareville Bakery – renowned for its pies – for you to purchase something for lunch before having some free time in Carterton. We then continue on to Stonehenge Aotearoa which is unique in New Zealand and internationally, as a place of science and wonder. Built by members of the Phoenix Astronomical Society with the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand the purpose of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The Henge is a window into the past, stone circles played an important part in the history of almost everyone. The stones are neutral and welcome people of all cultures, beliefs, faiths and religions. We then continue on to Martinborough to visit Olivo – the Olive Grove. Olivo is the oldest commercial olive grove in the Wairarapa where you’ll be able to taste internationally renowned olive oils. This gorgeous English-style, well-established park-like garden is around 20 years old and sweeps out to the well-known olive grove. This garden has many interesting features including sculptures, large borders, the potager and it even has its own orchard. You’ll see lots of interesting plants and flowers including romneya poppies, spring bulbs, flowering cherry trees, and fabulous artichokes in the potager. Your host is Helen Meehan and their beagle dog is Sophie.
Day 3 - LOCAL SIGHTSEEING (BD) Travelling out this morning we first of all visit Kahikatea Gardens. A 900-year old Kahikatea, Totara and Titoki trees, once part of the original bush that extended down from the Tararua Ranges provide a wonderful backdrop to this garden. Rhododendrons, camellias and other flowering trees and shrubs provide a continuous range of colour throughout the year. A highlight is the petting farm area with donkeys – (Jordan and Petra) and alpacas (Miss Peru and Bolivia). The miniature horses and pet sheep love to be pampered and given a treat or two as well! Travelling through Greytown we stop to visit the Cobblestones Historic Village. The Cobblestones Regional Early Settlers Museum is located on the original site of the stables operated by Cobb & Co and the Hastwells to provide a mail and passenger service between Wellington and the Wairarapa from 1866. We also have time to visit Schoc Chocolate. Schoc is a unique artisan chocolate studio located at Cobblestones Village Museum, which has over 50 flavours including caramel tequila, lavender and lime and chocolate salt. A stop will then be made at the smart country ‘pub’ - The Tin Hut at Tauherenikau, for lunch (own expense) in an attractive outdoor setting. We then visit Fernside - an English style country garden on a grand scale. Fernside's gardens were established in the 1870s and now new owners have spent the last 5 years restoring, re-establishing and further developing this glorious garden. You will be amazed at the new Secret Garden, the formal rose garden, the sunken garden, bridges and lake. Fernside was transformed into Lothlorien in the first Lord of the Rings film. Time permitting we will have a stop at Parkvale Mushrooms to allow you to purchase some wonderful mushrooms before returning to our accommodation in Masterton.
Day 4 - MASTERTON - NAPIER (BD) On leaving Masterton we travel north stopping at the Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Park, a centre developed by the Department of Conservation for the protection of our native species. Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre is a nationally and internationally recognised captive breeding facility for a number of threatened bird species including Kiwi. We will take in the highlights of the Pukaha Tour, guided by a Department of Conservation ranger. Next, visit the Kiwi House where adult kiwi, including Manukura, our very special and rare little White Kiwi can be viewed in their nocturnal habitat. Learn all about these wonderful endangered birds before taking a seat in the Kiwi Theatre to view short entertaining films. Next, visit the other birds and animals of Pukaha including the Kokako, Kahurangi, eels and Tuatara. Continuing on we pass through Kopuaranga where we stop to view the Scandinavian Camp Memorial Plaque recording the hardships of the Scandanavian Bushman. We travel back via Pahiatua, Woodville and Dannevirke then follow State Highway 50 we continue on to Napier where we will have a brief tour before arriving at our accommodation. Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier
Day 5 - NAPIER - HAMILTON (B) Today after a leisurely breakfast we depart Napier following the Esk Valley we tour through Taupo back to Hamilton and our home cities.
