Masterton is the largest city in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand. A bit under two hours north of Wellington, Masterton offers an escape from the hustle of bustle of NZ’s capital city. It has an excellent line up of cafes, restaurants and bars for brunch, lunch and dinner.

The Wairarapa region is well known for its wine and agricultural heritage. As one of the earliest inland settlements, it has lots of historical sites to discover. You can see vineyards, working farms, country gardens, and wild coastline complete with seal colonies.

The rugged Tararua Mountains to the west and the wild Pacific Ocean coastline to the east create a sense of isolation and wonder. The untamed coastline from Palliser Bay in the south to Akitio in the north is rich in Maori mythology.