But first, where exactly is Wairarapa?
The Wairarapa region is a convenient 1.5 hours’ drive from Wellington, tucked behind the Remutaka ranges. We recommend you rent a travel van from maui’s Auckland branch and enjoy a road trip south. Alternatively, you may like to pick up your campervan from maui’s Christchurch branch and north via the Interislander Ferry. You can even pick up your campervan from one branch and drop it off at another.
Image: Miles Holden - Tourism New Zealand
Why you should put Wairarapa on your New Zealand bucket list
The Wairarapa is a popular region to travel by motorhome or campervan. With its picturesque rural scenery and relaxed atmosphere, you’ll be in holiday mode from the moment you arrive. There’s loads to see and do here, from boutique wineries and artisan shops to colourful gardens and off-road cycling trails. Here are a couple of must-do things to do in Wairarapa:
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Spend the day in Martinborough. Hire a bike and cycle from vineyard to vineyard sampling the local wines.
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Enjoy a day of shopping in Greytown. Check out the Designer Clothing Gallery and indulge your sweet tooth at Schoc Chocolates.
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Visit the Pukaha National Wildlife Centre and walk the bush tracks to meet some of New Zealand’s rare native wildlife including the kokako and kiwi.
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The Remutaka Rail Trail makes a wonderful cycling adventure. The trail is a gently graded 18 km walk or mountain bike ride. A bike ride from Kaitoke to the Summit takes about an hour. Enjoy swimming and fishing in the nearby Pakuratahi River.
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Visit the famous Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, a 50-minute drive north of Masterton. Take a guided tour through the brewery then have lunch and a cold brew at the café. Don’t forget to check out the famous loos!
Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park
Known for its divine selection of vineyards, Martinborough is the perfect spot for a winery tour. And the best place to park up your campervan for a relaxing stay is at the Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park. Set amongst the vineyards and recreational reserve, and right next door to the town swimming pool, the holiday park is just 800 metres’ walk to the town centre. The park makes a great base to explore some of the Martinborough vineyards. Martinborough hosts Toast Martinborough in November each year – a very popular event for motorhomers. It also holds the Martinborough Fair – one of the largest and most popular craft markets in the Southern Hemisphere – during February and March. If you plan to visit during these months, be sure to book your campsite early.
Featherston Motels & Camping
Located at the gateway to the Wairarapa, Featherston Motels & Camping is handy to many of the great attractions in the region. The Remutaka Cycle Trail is just 10 km away. It’s just two minutes’ walk to a selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops. While you’re in Featherston, visit the famous Fell Locomotive Museum, home to the only Fell engine in the world.
Greytown Campground
Choose a shady spot under a tree or park up in the Wairarapa sunshine at the Greytown Campground. There are 34 powered and 61 unpowered sites to choose from within a mature native bush reserve – take your pick! The site has fridges, shared dining, toilets, showers, and a laundry. It’s also adjacent to a huge sports ground, playground, public swimming pool, tennis courts, and bush walks. Fancy a stroll into town? Greytown’s historic main street is just 500 metres away.
Gateway Motel Holiday Park
Just 3 km from Lake Ferry Beach, Gateway Motel Holiday Park offers powered and non-powered sites in a quiet country setting. The kids will be well entertained with a playground, swimming pool, and trampoline. Make use of the well-equipped communal kitchen and lounge area. While you’re here, visit the Putangirua Pinnacles. These dramatic rock formations were carved into enormous organ pipe-shaped towers by rain over millions of years. They’re so unusual, they were even used as backdrops in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Kiriwhakapapa Campsite
Escape into nature at the Kiriwhakapapa Campsite within the Tararua Forest Park. Located alongside a creek with a redwood forest trail area nearby, this lush and lovely campsite is perfect for a family getaway. Take the 2 km Kiriwhakapapa Loop Walk which passes through regenerated native forest. The walk takes around 30 minutes and is nice and easy for children too. The campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). You can pay with a DOC Campsite Pass or cash at the self-registration stand at the campsite (or to the camp warden if present).
Holdsworth Camping Area
Just 15 km west of Masterton, the Holdsworth Camping Area is a first-come, first-served DOC site. But with 150 non-powered sites, there is usually plenty of room. The site is a no-frills set-up, but if you’re after back-to-basics Kiwi camping at its best, you won’t be disappointed. The facilities include flushable toilets, fire pits for campfires, and recycling facilities. Located at the eastern park entrance beneath the Tararua Ranges, it’s a great spot for fishing and walking. One of the most popular walks is the Gentle Annie Track. This 4.5 km (each way) track takes around 3.5 – 4 hours return to complete. If you’re feeling a bit hot when you get back, you’ll find some lovely swimming holes around the campsite – perfect for cooling off in summer. There is also plenty of grassed areas for playing a game of family cricket or throwing around a ball.
Mawley Holiday Park
Nestled in a sheltered, peaceful setting on the banks of the Waipoua River, Mawley Holiday Park is an ideal base for exploring Masterton and the Wairarapa. Park up your campervan and enjoy the great facilities including wide open spaces, stunning specimen trees, a playground for the kids, and a barbecue area. Masterton’s recreation precinct is just two minutes’ walk from the park. Make use of the Queen Elizabeth Park, pool complex with hydroslide, skate park, and mini golf.
Carterton Holiday Park
Relax in the park-like setting of the Carterton Holiday Park. The park has 32 powered sites and numerous non-powered sites. It’s nice and close to shops, parks, and the entrances to the Tararua Ranges. The holiday park has all the must-have facilities including a dump station, communal kitchen and dining, laundry, toilets and showers, and WiFi. The kids can make use of the public swimming pool (free admission) and playground just a few minutes’ walk away.
Wairarapa A&P Clareville Campground
The Wairarapa A&P Showgrounds is set in 85 acres of landscaped grounds in the heart of the Wairarapa countryside. It’s home to the famous annual Wairarapa A&P Show. The grounds also include the Clareville Campground which offers powered and non-powered sites. Set within a beautiful rural setting complete with an ornamental pond, ducks, and picnic area, it’s a great spot to park your campervan. It’s also conveniently located with a bakery, gardens, and golf club within walking distance. If you’re keen to hit the trails, take the 15-minute drive to Mt Holdsworth, gateway to the Tararua Ranges and its great selection of scenic walks and tramps. Other attractions within the Carterton region include Paua World, Stonehenge Aotearoa, the Parkvale Mushroom Factory, and a Sunday farmers market.
Waimeha Camping Village
Fancy camping on the coast? Waimeha Camping Village is a campervanner’s dream location. Take in panoramic views of the ocean and Kaikoura ranges, witness incredible sunsets, and enjoy being conveniently close to activities galore. The campsite is just 2 km from the popular Ngawi fishing village and 5 km from the Cape Palliser Lighthouse and its resident seal colony. Enjoy modern facilities including a communal kitchen and bathroom, laundry amenities, activity room with large screen TV, and free outdoor barbecue and dining areas.
Image: Camilla Rutherford - Tourism New Zelaand
Explore Wairarapa with maui
There you have our top 10 campgrounds and holiday parks in the beautiful Wairarapa. Now that you’ve got a list of great places to stay, it’s time to plan your ultimate New Zealand road trip. Take the first step and book your maui campervan hire online and then pick it up from one of maui’s Auckland or South Island branches in Christchurch or Queenstown.
For more help planning your New Zealand campervan holiday, download the free thl Roadtrip app. Access handy travel tips for planning and preparing your trip, find out what to expect on pick up and see a full show-through video of your campervan hire.
Need more inspiration or travel tips to help plan your Wairarapa holiday? Check out more of our helpful blogs: