Masterton Guide
Masterton is the biggest town in New Zealand's Wairarapa region. It is a thriving community with three industrial parks and numerous attractions for visitors.
- Queen Elizabeth Park - This huge park contains a playground, train ride, skating rink, and miniature golf course, and makes for a great day out with the kids.
- Aratoi Museum of Art and History - It has modern art collections and hundreds of artefacts relating to the history of the area, especially from the native Maori culture.
- Museum of Early Childhood - A popular attraction of Masterton, this unique museum exhibits everything from dolls' houses to children's hand-made toys.
In Masterton, there are many restaurants, cafes, bars and bistros where you can grab a bite or settle down to a three-course meal with fine wines and excellent service. Curry Planet is renowned for its delicious Butter Chicken specialty and the Top Jade Restaurant does the best Chinese in town, with set menus, buffet lunches and takeaways. Try the Japanese Thai Restaurant and Takeaway for some of the best-prepared fried pork, chicken and sushi on the planet.
Masterton offers a great location in the midst of breathtaking natural surroundings, and there are numerous outdoor activities for kids and parents to enjoy doing together. Get a Wairapa Family Fun Pass to access four activities free. See holograms, games and puzzles at Puzzlewood or take a stroll in the vast Queen Elizabeth Park. Go walking and tramping, ride the Rimutaka Incline Track, one of the steepest train rides in the world, and try rafting and canoeing on the rivers.
The Waitingi Day Origins Festival features a series of challenges and obstacles between local colleges, musical line-ups and other cultural activities. The Summer Hummer showcases international and local bands and the Balloon Festival in March is a fiesta attended by balloon pilots from across New Zealand and overseas, with a balloon basket parade in the evening and numerous associated activities. It makes for a great day out for young and old alike and is one of the highlights in Masterton's calendar.
In this wonderful holiday location, there are many different types of Masterton accommodation that will suit a range of tastes and budgets. From budget motels to beautiful, luxury residences, you will find all accommodation in great locations to help you take advantage of the cultural and natural attractions of this beautiful, friendly and vibrant city. If luxury isn't what you're after, maybe you're on a whistle stop tour of New Zealand? If so, there are many cheap hotels in Masterton to suit your stay.