Martinborough, New Zealand: Best Things to Do
Discover with us Martinborough, a small town in New Zealand which is famous for wine, but there are many other things to see and do here, that you can easily spend in Martinborough a relaxing weekend. Read our travel guide including top attractions, best activities, and also practical information.
We must say that it was a big coincidence that brought us to Martinborough, a small town on the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island. A town surrounded by wineries. How did we end up in Martinborough for three months?
Before we flew to New Zealand for a year as we had work and travel visas, the only thing we arranged before our arrival was a hotel for the first night, and we even reserved it during a stopover in Hong Kong.
Well, truth is that we could have planned everything a bit more ahead. The other thing we had on our computer was a list we found online when browsing for places that accept seasonal workers. When we landed, we bought a new sim card and started texting some of the numbers we found on the list.
To our surprise, the day after we bought in Auckland a car (which was on our fourth day in the country), we received a message, from a girl (surprisingly she was from the Czech Republic as well) that she has an opening for two starting in two days.
From this point, everything went pretty quickly.
We packed all we had and squeezed it in our car, went shopping, spent our first night in the car near beautiful Taupo Lake, and in two days we arrived in Martinborough. Our home for the next three months.
From the moment we arrived, we knew this was it.
A small laidback town with a peaceful square, surrounded by vineyards, hills and with plentiful options on things to do on weekends in the town's surroundings. Our days in Martinborough were pretty monotonous, but we always could not wait for a weekend, when we had enough time to explore the area.
And believe us, that after three months, we were leaving Martinborough with mixed feelings. Yes, we finally had enough money for a couple of months of traveling, but we knew we will for sure miss this small town and its vibe.
In case you plan on traveling to Martinborough, congratulations, you will for sure have an amazing time. In this travel guide, you can read more about the best things to do in Martinborough and overall in the area, and we will also share with you practical information on where to stay in the town, when is the best time to visit, how to get there, and much more.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN MARTINBOROUGH
If you are looking for the best things to do in Martinborough, you are in the right place.
Wairarapa Region is very picturesque and you won't have a problem with how to fill your days. Thanks to the fact we had spent in the town a longer time than regular visitors, we have plenty of tips for you.
Here is our list of the best things to do and top attractions to see in Martinborough.
Take a Tour around Wineries
Martinborough is a region rich in wines, and you will find a large number of wineries in the area.
It is pretty hard to recommend you only one winery, but as we worked on Atarangi Vineyard, you should for sure not to miss this one, because their wine from 2013 will be simply amazing.
Owners of all estates are absolutely friendly, and they will be glad to tell you more about vineyards, about the process how they grow grapes, what is their story and their mission, and in general, we think you won't make a mistake if you will build your Martinborough itinerary around wine.
Even Martin, who prefers beer over wine almost changed his mind here in Martinborough.
You can either visit vineyards on your own (always check opening hours) or join a tour.
Taste a Beer
Although it might seem that Martinborough is only about wines, it is not true.
Beer has its rightful place here as well. To know more about beer, and also to taste some, head to Martinborough Brewery producing hand-crafted beer.
Biking
One of the most popular ways how to get around Martinborough is on a bike. It is also a popular mean of transport to get from one winery to another, and that's why in summer you can meet a large number of a cyclist around Martinborough.
You can either bring your bike, but there is also a possibility to rent one.
Walk around Martinborough
Yes, Martinborough is a small village and there are not that many things to see and do when it comes to architecture.
But the main square in the middle of the town is for sure worth a couple of minutes of your time, and you should for sure take a short walk around a couple of streets encircling the center, as they are absolutely adorable.
Toast Martinborough
If you plan on visiting New Zealand in November, check out your New Zealand itinerary, and have a look if you happen to be in Wairarapa district on the third Sunday of the month.
If yes, you now know that you should be on that day in Martinborough, because of a famous event, Toast Martinborough.
This is a time when you will enjoy the lively atmosphere, great food, wine, and you will be all day surrounded by same-minded people.
Not only during this time the center of the village is crowded, but also wineries located around Martinborough participate in this event, therefore you can visit several estates, taste multiple wines and pair it with delicious food.
In case you want to enjoy Toast Martinborough, we recommend you to reserve a room as soon as you can because rooms fill up quickly, and as you will most likely be drinking, you should not definitely drive anywhere after this event.
It is also better to book your ticket for Toast Martinborough in advance as you can also reserve a shuttle which will help you visit more wineries during the day.
Visit Cape Palliser
Drive one hour south from Martinborough, and a dusty road along the rugged coastline will take you to the southernmost point of North Island.
Do you know the saying that sometimes the journey is a destination?
Well, we had the same feeling when traveling to Cape Palliser. On the way, we stopped several times just to take a photo, and also we for the first time spotted a sea lion colony in the wild. They just had babies, and it was really cute.
It should go without saying that you should stay away from the animals, males can try to attack you in case they feel threatened.
And then we arrived at a red-white lighthouse towering above the sea. If you can, climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse to get breathtaking views.
Eat Your Way Around Martinborough
Despite its size, Martinborough is a famous culinary destination, and you can find here several nice restaurants, bistros, and cafes.
One of the most popular places to eat in the town is Poppies Martinborough, but you also won't make a mistake if you reserve a table in The Martinborough Hotel on the main square.
To get even more local experience, it would also be an interesting idea to contact one of many wineries in the area, as they are often able to organize a tasting event for you combined with delicious food.
Rapaki Walk
Martinborough is set in a beautiful landscape, and if you want to appreciate the location even more, set off on an easy hike around the village with perfect views of the fields and vineyards.
You will be crossing private farmlands, which is ok, but please note the trail is closed between mid-July and the end of August because of lambing.
Since this is New Zealand's winter, it should not affect many of you.
The track starts at the end of Dublin street on Shooting Butts Road, and should take you approximately two hours to finish.
Explore Tararua Forest Park
Less than an hour drive from Martinborough is Tararua Forest Park where you can stretch your legs and enjoy being in nature while taking in beautiful views.
There are many things to do in the park, but we opted for a 24 kilometers long loop called Holdsworth Track.
We did it in only one day, but there are three huts along the trail, in case you want to enjoy the hike at a slower pace.
At the beginning of the trail is also a cheap campground where you can spend a night, in case you do not want to travel back to Martinborough.
We've written a full post on Holdsworth Track, so check it out in case you want to know more about it. It is definitely worth it.
Visit Putangirua Pinnacles
We do not know many people who do not like the film Lord of the Rings. Actually, this film in many travelers ignited the passion to visit the country.
If you are a fan of this film, we have good news. Not far from Martinborough you can find a place where one of the scenes was shot.
The place is called Putangirua Pinnacles. But hadn't it been for LotR, Pinnacles would have for sure been worth your time anyway. Pinnacles are pointy rock formations resembling needles and are really photogenic.
The visit is free, and you can either choose to walk among the rock formations or climb to a viewing point.
To get the most of this place, we, of course, recommend you to do both.
WHERE TO STAY IN MARTINBOROUGH
Martinborough can seem like a small sleepy town, which we can confirm it is, but thanks to its picturesque landscape and many vineyards in the area, this destination is pretty popular among both travelers and locals who look for authentic experiences.
That is the reason why the city is usually booked on weekends.
The busiest day in a year in Martinborough is the third Sunday in November because of the wine and food festival called Toast Martinborough.
In case you will be in the area during this time, make sure you will book your room well ahead.
We've handpicked three best hotels in Martinborough for every type of traveler.
Budget | Martinborough Top 10 Holiday Park - Only ten minutes away from the main square, this accommodation provides travelers with comfort for a reasonable price. You can choose what type of room will suit you best as there are quite many options.
Mid-range | Martinborough Experience B&B - A lovely place where you will for sure feel like at home. This accommodation has absolutely perfect rating, and when you see the photos, you will understand why.
Luxury | The Martinborough Hotel - When it comes to location, it is hard to beat this hotel sitting right on the main square. But this place has much more to offer. Great food, wine, and beautifully designed rooms are the main reason to make a reservation here.
HOW TO GET TO MARTINBOROUGH
If you are traveling around New Zealand by car, getting to Martinborough is fairly easy.
No matter which direction are you traveling from, follow State Highway 2 and in Featherston turn to road 53 which will take you to Martinborough.
Although we usually travel by public transport when we can as it is more budget-friendly, there are countries where it is much better to rent a car.
As you might guess, one of those countries is New Zealand, and renting a campervan here will give you more freedom, and you will also get to some places much more easily because public transport here is not that great as you might have expected.
If you plan on traveling by bus, be prepared that you will have to change the bus several times, depending on where you are traveling from, but most likely you will have to switch buses in Featherston or Masterton.
One of the most appealing options in case you do not have a car is to take a train from Wellington (you can easily visit Martinborough on a one day-trip from Wellington although we recommend you to stay here longer to explore its surroundings).
Jump on the Wairarapa train in Wellington, which will take you to Featherston. Here a bus waits for the train arrival and will take you to Martinborough.
Tour
In case you are without own transport or know you have really only one day and still want to visit Martinborough, you can take a tour.
Here you can reserve a Martinborough Wine and Food Tour from Wellington.
SAFETY IN MARTINBOROUGH
Well, to be honest, we probably never lived in a more safe place than in Martinborough.
The small-town feel here is real, and because of its size, we had a feeling that almost everyone knows each other.
Of course, vineyards are every year flooded with workers arriving to use their Work and Travel visas, but these people are in the town to work and occasional parties, and we never experienced a single problem.
In Martinborough, it was also for the first time we saw that when coming from work (on a field) people simply left their boots covered in mud in front of the store, did their shopping barefoot, and then found their boots still waiting for them outside the shop!
Only if you plan on doing a trip outside Martinborough, make sure you won't leave anything valuable in your car, just because you never know.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
WHEN TO VISIT MARTINBOROUGH
The best time to visit Martinborough is between November and April, when in general, in New Zealand you can expect pleasant weather.
Although the weather in the country can turn either way we were in Martinborough between late October and end of January, and mostly had nice sunny days with occasional rains and cold temperatures in the morning. It is pretty windy in the area all year round.
Wintertime between May and October is not that bad in Martinborough. Winter months should definitely should not put you off from visiting the town, you should only come better prepared and wear more layers.
When it comes to popularity, the town is definitely busy on weekends between November and April when also visitors from Wellington or other nearby cities like to visit this quaint place with a glass of wine in hand.
The top term in Martinborough is every year the third Sunday in November when an annual celebration Toast Martinborough takes place here.
It is a one-day festival focused on wine, delicious food, but you will also find here many handicrafts stalls altogether with a rich cultural program.
ESSENTIAL THINGS TO PACK FOR VISITING MARTINBOROUGH
No matter when you plan on visiting Martinborough, you should have in your backpack the following things.
A straw hat which is not only fashionable but will also protect you against the harsh sun, the same as sunscreen. To actively explore the surroundings, you should wear trail walking shoes, a fleece jacket , and because the weather can be changeable, waterproof jacket.
Other essential things are water bottle to stay hydrated while tasting all the wine, light daypack for one-day trips or biking around vineyards, and windbreaker.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
