Trifter

Martinborough, situated in the valley of the South Wairarapa. A great place to visit and a wonderful to place to be at any time of the year! Here you will experience a rural township with fabulous people and great sites, surrounded by the luscious farmland, vineyards and mountain ranges. Here’s a little guide of things to see and do … just to motivate you a little more!!

Eating Out

Toppy’s Bar & Cafe (formally The Flying Fish) situated on The Square. A personal favourite of mine! They have a lovely outdoor dining area and do takeaway meals also. Fully licenced and BYO (even a children’s sandpit and menu to entertain!). Gorgeous menu, including gourmet burgers. They are open for brunch, lunch and dinner. With the new interior and extensions done to maximise clientele, this is definately a hot spot.

Lake Ferry Hotel is situated on Cape Pallisers’s rugged coastline of Lake Ferry. It has spectacular views and an extensive seafood menu. Accomodation is also available. Excellent food and very reasonable. Tried and tested …. And loved!

Pukemanu Tavern is located on The Square. Has a separate bar and restaurant. Meals are very well priced and you get a good hearty meal! The blokes will love it.

Alana Estate.  A beautiful vineyard restaurant situated along the golden-mile of Vineyards on Puruatanga Road. Award winning wines, impeccable service and a tantilizing meal for all occassions. The view is spectacular, overlooking vineyards and dining can be enjoyed both inside by the roaring fire or outside in the summer. Alana Estate also cater for special events and offer this venue for more formal events such as weddings.

Of course there is The French Bistro, The Martinborough Hotel, The Wine Centre, Café Medici, Est and more!

Activities

McLeod Quad Adventures offer bike rides through rivers and over farmland (to 700Ft), so the views are fantastic. Full training given and tours are guided. You can also have a go at Clay Bird Shooting. BBQ meals and function venue are on site. Great for a teambuilding work exercise or just to head out for fun with the family or friends!

Kayaking your thing? Then head to Kahutara Canoes in Featherston … not very far from Martinborough (about a 20 min drive). Kayak down the Ruamahange River, half day or full day trips. All ages and social clubs and corporate groups are taken. No experience necessary.

While you are there, enjoy browsing around the Kahutara Taxidermy Gallery.

Like Golf? Then try something a little different with Golf Cross. A new game played with an oval ball using goals, not holes. The course is on a working farm in a beautiful river valley. Use your own clubs or hire theirs. Catering available upon request.

There is a highly regarded golf course, squash & tennis courts, smallbore rifle and many many other sites to see … too many to list them all, but for the fun and adventurous there are lots of things to raise the adrenalin. Or if relaxing is your thing, then sit back with a cool glass of chardonnay and enjoy the serenity.

There are many walks to indulge in and enjoy the views and countryside and also the Glow Worm Caves. The Hau Nui Wind Farm is 21km south east of Martinborough on the Tora/White Rock road. NZ’s first commercial wind farm!

The Seal Colony is the only one of its kind in NZ and is located at Ngawi. You get to see them in their natural habitat – a truly wonderful experience. Just remember to respect their space especially when they have young.

What Else?

The Country Markets are held every Sunday from 10am – 2pm at the Martinborough Wine Centre on Kitchener Street and provide a range of Wairarapa grown produce, handcrafts, wool products and lemon, lavender and silk products. Rustic furniture, olive oils and preserves.

Also there is the Toast Martinborough held in November of each year. Tickets through Ticketek and watch out for more details on their website! Definitely worth going to! TK Day is hosted by Te Kairanga Vineyard and is a day of fun, live music, great local wines and should be a must on your calendar (usually held in January each year). The Martinborough Country Fair is held on the first Saturday of February and March and this popular fair is one of NZ’s largest. A huge variety to be seen and extensive array of things to buy!

Accommodation

Martinborough is full of places to stay, but for special events it pays to book early! Martinborough is popular! Martinborough Motels, Claremont Motels, Martinborough Hotel, Margrain Vineyard Villas, Brakenridge etc! Or choose from the numerous B&B’s scattered both in town and the country! Ring the Information Centre for more details on places to stay and they will be able to advise on availability and what best suits your needs, or phone direct.

Wine

There are simply oodles of vineyards to visit during your stay … all in close proximity to the town. Also Olive Groves and a beer brewery (if that’s your thing!). You won’t be disappointed …. Many award winning wines come from Martinborough. Drive there yourself, or do a tour (either by bus, coach or the old-fashioned way … horse and carriage! Enquire at the Information Centre).

Shopping

Arty? Barrows Gallery, Nestegg Gallery. Or jewellery? Then head to Inspiration – Jewellery by Sarah …. Something fabulous to wear? Soeur Design and Thrive (designer fashions). Need to relax? Try Au Spa Belge! Just to name a few! Complete with 4 Square Supermarket, two dairy’s (including Kitchener St which also does some great lunches!), bakery and deli … you have everything you need!

So there you are … now all that’s left is for you to put some gas in the car or grab that flight ticket and head to Martinborough and experience it for yourself! Enjoy!!

Donna Malneek