Wairarapa holiday attractions
Hokimai is central to all attractions and entertainment in the Wairarapa. It's only a short walk to the restaurants, bars and shops in Carterton. Hokimai is handy to Masterton, Greytown, Martinborough, Gladstone, Featherston and Tauherenikau. The Wairarapa is a region of spectacular natural beauty, wonderful cuisine made with local produce, world-class wines and olive oils. The region is host to many special events and very popular for weddings.
Base yourself at Hokimai to visit Wairarapa vineyards and wineries, gardens, golf courses, the farmer's market, go ballooning, tramping, hiking, or horse-trekking. Walk in the Tararuas, visit Carter's Reserve, take a guided walk or visit the local swimming pool and river swimming holes. Pamper yourself at a nearby health and beauty day spa, or just relax at Hokimai. The easy lifestyle, local produce, gourmet sensations, outdoor activities, mountains, plains, rivers and marvellous coastline close to Carterton make Hokimai a romantic and charming place to visit, to go out to do and see things, or stay put and relax.
Wines and Vineyards
Wairarapa wines have come a long way during the past 20 years since people passionate about the region's wine-making potential got serious. Now Wairarapa wines are world-reknowned for their quality, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc.
Many vineyards offer cellar doors, wine-tasting and some have restaurants. Near Carterton wine-makers on the Opaki plain and in Gladstone take advantage of the Wairarapa's hot summers, long, dry autumn and low rainfall. The warm days and cool nights create top quality, ripe and elegant Pinot Noir and other early ripening grape varieties. Carterton is one of the charming Wairarapa townships on the road to relaxation and rejuvenation, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, through New Zealand's three main viticultural regions. Vinemakers in Carterton include: Matahiwi; Gladstone Vineyard; Paddy Borthwick, Dakins Rd, Carterton; Loopline;Mebus Estate, Dakins Rd, Carterton, Thomson's Trail, East Taratahi Rd, East Carterton. Toast Martinborough is an annual event show-casing wines from that area.
Farmers' Market
Wairarapa's Farmers Market is held at the historic Solway Showgrounds on Saturdays from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Fresh from Wairarapa paddocks to Wairarapa plates with locally produced vegetables, herbs, cheese, free range eggs, flowers, plants, artisan products, olive oil, cider, organic meat and beer, witloof, watercress and more.
Beauty and Spa
Che Hair and Day Spa, ph 06 377 0606, email: thecheteam, Cnr Perry and Chapel Streets, Masterton. Recommended by the team of Nutrimetics beauty consultant ladies who stay at Hokimai.
Jewellery
Paua World, Kent St, Carterton, is just around the corner from Hokimai and you must visit. Here you will discover how the world's most colorful shell is crafted to manufacture an exquisite range of jewellery, gifts and souvenirs that reflect the iconic status of the Paua shell to New Zealand.
Petrol heads
Gasoline Heaven car museum opened in Carterton in August 2007 and is open on weekends.
Walks in the Wairarapa
You can find some easy walks in the Wairarapa, for example, at Carters Scenic Reserve
Carterton is the gateway to the Mt Holdsworth entrance to Tararua walks and tramps. The Department of Conservation has lots of information about short and long walks, including the following: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=35952
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~fiski/hjc.html
Rumahanga River Walk
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=35971
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=35952
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~fiski/hjc.html
Astronomy
The Wairarapa has big and spectacular skys and is a great place for night-time star viewing. You should also visit Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Ballooning
Carterton is the Wairarapa base for Early Morning Balloons Limited. The launch site at Paua World is just around the corner from Hokimai. Enjoy spectacular scenery on your flight over the Wairarapa at dawn, with views of mountains, rivers, and pastoral land. The Wairarapa International Balloon Fiesta celebrated its 10th anniversary event in March 2008 and 100 yearsof ballooning in New Zealand, with ballooning competitions during five days in the spectacular Wairarapa valley. Each day at dawn balloons launched in Masterton, Carterton and Martinborough.
Historical
If you are interested in honouring our past in Carterton you can visit the historic train station, Carterton Railway Station honour our dead at the Carterton War Memorial and look into the past at Sayer's Slab Whare. Nearby Greytown has the Cobblestones regional museum which is set in two acres of grounds and has a collection of historic buildings, farm implements, and displays. The quaint historic church can be used for weddings.
Directory links
http://www.bluecastle.co.nz/accommodation-1416.htm Blue Castle New Zealand Accommodation
New Zealand Accommodation Travel and Holiday Guide
More about Carterton: http://www.carterton.co.nz/