5 o'clock somewhere - Guide Book
Deveraux Park - 5 o'clock Somewhere
Masterton is the Wairarapa’s largest town, 105km north-west of Wellington. Masterton was founded in 1854 by the Small Farms Association.
The small farms association was led by Joseph Masters – after whom the town was named and aimed to settle working people in villages and on the land.
At first Masterton grew slowly, but as its farming hinterland became more productive it began to prosper.
In the 1870s it overtook Greytown as Wairarapa’s major town. It was reached by the railway line from Wellington in 1880. This cemented the town’s position as the region’s main market and distribution centre.
Masterton is filled with great things to do, from shopping to lakeside walks and museums - there's even an alpaca farm tour! and there are plenty of activities that won't cost you a thing.
Welcome to our town and enjoy your stay.
RivenRock is a purpose built and professionally designed Mountain Bike Park for all levels of mountain bikers.
Located on a private 500-acre farm with stunning views of the Tararua Range. RivenRock MTB has a network of trails to suit riders of all styles and ability with beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks.
RivenRock is just 15 minutes from Masterton and Carterton just before the Mount Holdsworth campsite. The park's special topography, great location and incredible views from the tracks back over Masterton and Tararua Ranges make RivenRock a must do.
Rivenrock Mountain Bike Park (see information details on our facebook page)
RivenRock is a purpose built and professionally designed Mountain Bike Park for all levels of mountain bikers.
Located on a private 500-acre farm with stunning views of the Tararua Range. RivenRock MTB has a network of trails to suit riders of all styles and ability with beginner, intermediate and advanced tracks.
RivenRock is just 15 minutes from Masterton and Carterton just before the Mount Holdsworth campsite. The park's special topography, great location and incredible views from the tracks back over Masterton and Tararua Ranges make RivenRock a must do.
Masterton is home to one of the friendliest Aerodromes in the country. It’s not often that you can simply drive in the gate and look at vintage aircraft.
It’s all part of what Hood Aerodrome has on offer, including skydiving, tiger moth flights and aviation history.
Named after Masterton man George Hood who, alongside John ‘Scotty’ Moncrieff, made the first attempt to fly the Tasman Sea in January 1928. The pair’s plane disappeared 12 hours into the flight and Hood Aerodrome was named in memory of George in 1931.
Hood Aerodrome
Masterton is home to one of the friendliest Aerodromes in the country. It’s not often that you can simply drive in the gate and look at vintage aircraft.
It’s all part of what Hood Aerodrome has on offer, including skydiving, tiger moth flights and aviation history.
Named after Masterton man George Hood who, alongside John ‘Scotty’ Moncrieff, made the first attempt to fly the Tasman Sea in January 1928. The pair’s plane disappeared 12 hours into the flight and Hood Aerodrome was named in memory of George in 1931.
The Masterton Motorplex International Drag Strip draws thousands of people to Masterton around 5 times each year!
Cars from across the world come to impress with their machines and quarter mile drag times.
Masterton Motorplex
21 Manaia RdThe Masterton Motorplex International Drag Strip draws thousands of people to Masterton around 5 times each year!
Cars from across the world come to impress with their machines and quarter mile drag times.
Sightseeing
The Masterton Golden Shears is a huge Wairarapa event attracting visitors from across Australasia, all for a shot at the Sheep Shearing Championship.
Golden Shears International Championships Society Inc
The Masterton Golden Shears is a huge Wairarapa event attracting visitors from across Australasia, all for a shot at the Sheep Shearing Championship.
These beaches are among the best you will visit – both are about an hour’s drive from Masterton.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castle Point Lighthouse
These beaches are among the best you will visit – both are about an hour’s drive from Masterton.
At Castlepoint you can venture up to the lookout behind the lighthouse – first lit in 1913, it’s one of the last two remaining beam lighthouses in NZ.
If you’re game, climb the deliverance track up the 162 metre Castle Rock.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castlepoint
At Castlepoint you can venture up to the lookout behind the lighthouse – first lit in 1913, it’s one of the last two remaining beam lighthouses in NZ.
If you’re game, climb the deliverance track up the 162 metre Castle Rock.
Riversdale is south on Wairarapa’s coastline, a friendly and warm community beach hang-out. There are several coastal walks accessible from Riversdale.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Riversdale
Riversdale is south on Wairarapa’s coastline, a friendly and warm community beach hang-out. There are several coastal walks accessible from Riversdale.
The best way to get a view of and access the Wairarapa's Tararua and Rimutaka Forest Parks, rivers, gorges, lakes, valleys and remote huts is by air.
Amalgamated Helicopters NZ ltd
625 Chester RdThe best way to get a view of and access the Wairarapa's Tararua and Rimutaka Forest Parks, rivers, gorges, lakes, valleys and remote huts is by air.
Towns don't get much prettier than Greytown. It's so pretty it's won the award for NZ's Most Beautiful Small Town 2017.
Greytown's known for its great food and sophisticated shopping, cute colonial cottages, historic trees and extra-ordinary chocolate. With its small, owner operated shops that are high quality and distinctive, Greytown offers the antithesis of big box shopping or bland and samey malls you find in many large centres these days. Yep, you need to come and check it out!
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Greytown
Towns don't get much prettier than Greytown. It's so pretty it's won the award for NZ's Most Beautiful Small Town 2017.
Greytown's known for its great food and sophisticated shopping, cute colonial cottages, historic trees and extra-ordinary chocolate. With its small, owner operated shops that are high quality and distinctive, Greytown offers the antithesis of big box shopping or bland and samey malls you find in many large centres these days. Yep, you need to come and check it out!
Carterton (Māori: Taratahi) is a small town in the Wellington Region of New Zealand and the seat of the Carterton District
It lies in a farming area of the Wairarapa in New Zealand's North Island. It is located 14 kilometres southwest of Masterton
Carterton was founded in 1857. Originally known as Three Mile Bush, it served as housing for workers building the road between Wellington and Masterton. It was later renamed after Charles Carter, who was in charge of the building of the Black Bridge over the Waiohine River south of the town.
The town describes itself as New Zealand's daffodil capital, holding a Daffodil Festival each year on the second Sunday in September, with the main event taking place at Middle Run Farm, along Gladstone Road.
Carterton
Carterton (Māori: Taratahi) is a small town in the Wellington Region of New Zealand and the seat of the Carterton District
It lies in a farming area of the Wairarapa in New Zealand's North Island. It is located 14 kilometres southwest of Masterton
Carterton was founded in 1857. Originally known as Three Mile Bush, it served as housing for workers building the road between Wellington and Masterton. It was later renamed after Charles Carter, who was in charge of the building of the Black Bridge over the Waiohine River south of the town.
The town describes itself as New Zealand's daffodil capital, holding a Daffodil Festival each year on the second Sunday in September, with the main event taking place at Middle Run Farm, along Gladstone Road.
Featherston is a town in the South Wairarapa District, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island.
It is at the eastern foothills of Remutaka Range close to the northern shore of Lake Wairarapa, 37 km south-west of Masterton.
Featherston has increasingly become a satellite town of Wellington since the Rimutaka rail tunnel opened in 1955 on the Wairarapa Line
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Featherston
Featherston is a town in the South Wairarapa District, in the Wellington Region of New Zealand's North Island.
It is at the eastern foothills of Remutaka Range close to the northern shore of Lake Wairarapa, 37 km south-west of Masterton.
Featherston has increasingly become a satellite town of Wellington since the Rimutaka rail tunnel opened in 1955 on the Wairarapa Line
Culture
There's always something fascinating at Aratoi in Masterton, the Wairarapa's largest museum. You'll discover national and Wairarapa displays, exquisite Māori taonga/treasures, ceramics, paintings, photography, children's art, textiles, and much more.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History
12 Bruce StThere's always something fascinating at Aratoi in Masterton, the Wairarapa's largest museum. You'll discover national and Wairarapa displays, exquisite Māori taonga/treasures, ceramics, paintings, photography, children's art, textiles, and much more.
Family
Pedal boating across the lake at Queen Elizabeth Park is loads of fun for the whole family. On a kayak, a row boat or a pedal boat there’s nothing like gliding over the water with the ducks.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Reina Isabel, Masterton
Dixon StreetPedal boating across the lake at Queen Elizabeth Park is loads of fun for the whole family. On a kayak, a row boat or a pedal boat there’s nothing like gliding over the water with the ducks.
Boating across the lake at Queen Elizabeth Park is loads of fun for the whole family. On a kayak, a row boat or a pedal boat there’s nothing like gliding over the water with the ducks.
Queen Elizabeth Park Boats
Memorial DriveBoating across the lake at Queen Elizabeth Park is loads of fun for the whole family. On a kayak, a row boat or a pedal boat there’s nothing like gliding over the water with the ducks.
Henley Lake is a favourite with both tourists and locals. The reserve has 43 hectares of wetlands and native plantings and more than 72 different species of birds have been spotted here.
Viewing towers over the lake and wetlands allow for a range of different viewing perspectives.
Take a meander around the lake and soak in the scenery or die the whole of the lake on well formed flat cycle/walkways.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque del Lago Henley
Te Ore Ore RoadHenley Lake is a favourite with both tourists and locals. The reserve has 43 hectares of wetlands and native plantings and more than 72 different species of birds have been spotted here.
Viewing towers over the lake and wetlands allow for a range of different viewing perspectives.
Take a meander around the lake and soak in the scenery or die the whole of the lake on well formed flat cycle/walkways.
For a wonderful animal experience, take a 1.5 hour guided interactive alpaca farm tour where you'll discover the amazing alpaca. Meet our mums and their babies and the majestic males.
Alpacas are very gentle, so you'll be able to get up close and personal to our friendly alpacas! Take an alpaca for a walk! Discover a little about alpacas and the Wairarapa connection to their arrival in N.Z, and then to the western world. See a unique NZ designed alpaca shearing table and chat about how shearing alpacas is different to shearing sheep.
The Alpaca Place
365 Bluff Rangitumau RdFor a wonderful animal experience, take a 1.5 hour guided interactive alpaca farm tour where you'll discover the amazing alpaca. Meet our mums and their babies and the majestic males.
Alpacas are very gentle, so you'll be able to get up close and personal to our friendly alpacas! Take an alpaca for a walk! Discover a little about alpacas and the Wairarapa connection to their arrival in N.Z, and then to the western world. See a unique NZ designed alpaca shearing table and chat about how shearing alpacas is different to shearing sheep.
Trust House Centre in Masterton is a great Wairarapa family thing to do! A place to swim right next to Queen Elizabeth Park and Aratoi Museum.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Trust House Recreation Centre
2 Dixon StTrust House Centre in Masterton is a great Wairarapa family thing to do! A place to swim right next to Queen Elizabeth Park and Aratoi Museum.
Regent 3 Cinemas
230 Queen StRegent movie cinema in Masterton has three theatres showing the latest movies.
Museums & Galleries
The Wool Shed is a glimpse into the farming history of the Wairarapa and the international sport of shearing.
Located in Masterton, across the road from Queen Elizabeth Park, The Wool Shed is a great family thing to do.
The Wool Shed
12 Dixon StThe Wool Shed is a glimpse into the farming history of the Wairarapa and the international sport of shearing.
Located in Masterton, across the road from Queen Elizabeth Park, The Wool Shed is a great family thing to do.
ConArt (Container Art) is a collection of containers creating an exciting gallery and Wairarapa art studio space.
ConArt Gallery & Studios Inc.
Queen StreetConArt (Container Art) is a collection of containers creating an exciting gallery and Wairarapa art studio space.
Food scene
Loopline is the most northern Wairarapa winery with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc varietals.
The stony free draining soils of the Masterton area have produced numerous award-winning wines.
Loopline Vineyard
42 LooplineLoopline is the most northern Wairarapa winery with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc varietals.
The stony free draining soils of the Masterton area have produced numerous award-winning wines.
Cottier Estate is a boutique vineyard offering tastings in a magical location next to the Ruamahanga River near Masterton.
Cottier Estate
290 Dakins RdCottier Estate is a boutique vineyard offering tastings in a magical location next to the Ruamahanga River near Masterton.
Paper Road is in the Opaki wine region north of Masterton. They are famous for their pizzas available alongside an a la carte and kid-friendly menu. Ask for a wine tasting tray, featuring Paper Road's Pinot Noir and other local wines.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Paper Road Winery and Bistro
7 Wingate RdPaper Road is in the Opaki wine region north of Masterton. They are famous for their pizzas available alongside an a la carte and kid-friendly menu. Ask for a wine tasting tray, featuring Paper Road's Pinot Noir and other local wines.
Paulownia Estate is a Masterton vineyard producing very beautiful, distinctive wines.
Paulownia Estate
243B Manaia RdPaulownia Estate is a Masterton vineyard producing very beautiful, distinctive wines.
Enjoy a fresh approach to hospitality by catching a coffee and a snack, some lunch, a drink, dinner, movie and dessert …
It's your call.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Screening Room
435 Queen StEnjoy a fresh approach to hospitality by catching a coffee and a snack, some lunch, a drink, dinner, movie and dessert …
It's your call.
A blend of Latin and some good old New Zealand staples, open for breakfast and lunch.
The coffee is roasted on site with beans from Honduras, Guatemala and Columbia.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Don Luciano Cafe & Coffee Roastery
9 King StA blend of Latin and some good old New Zealand staples, open for breakfast and lunch.
The coffee is roasted on site with beans from Honduras, Guatemala and Columbia.
This family-friendly restaurant and bar is just a short stroll from Masterton's main street, in one of the town's most historic buildings.
Lone Star Cafe & Bar
49 Dixon StThis family-friendly restaurant and bar is just a short stroll from Masterton's main street, in one of the town's most historic buildings.
Apache Jack's Family Restaurant
458b Queen StYou can't go past Apache Jacks for a hint of Tex Mex in Masterton.
Outdoor Activities
Mount Holdsworth is the main entrance to the eastern side of the Tararua Forest Park. With some of the highest peaks in the Tararua Range, Holdsworth offers short walks and longer tramps through forest and into the alpine environment.
Mount Holdsworth Road
Mount Holdsworth RoadMount Holdsworth is the main entrance to the eastern side of the Tararua Forest Park. With some of the highest peaks in the Tararua Range, Holdsworth offers short walks and longer tramps through forest and into the alpine environment.
The Tararua Range provides Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Manawatu with an outstanding variety of tramping, hunting and walking opportunities in a wild, natural landscape.
Tararua Forest Park
The Tararua Range provides Wellington, Wairarapa, Horowhenua and Manawatu with an outstanding variety of tramping, hunting and walking opportunities in a wild, natural landscape.