Masterton is the largest town in the Wairarapa, about a hundred kilometres north of Wellington, over the Rimutaka Ranges. It has a population of about twenty thousand.In New Zealand, Masterton is best known for hosting the Golden Shears shearing and wool-handling competitions. This happens every March, and brings competitors and spectators from all over the country.
It’s also a good base for exploring one of the country’s best wine regions.
About an hour from Masterton is Castlepoint Scenic Reserve, home to a lighthouse, lagoon and reef, spectacular scenery and many birds and sea creatures.
You’ll also find birdlife at the Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. You can see tuatara and kiwi, but the stars are the kaka at feeding time.A short drive from Masterton is Stonehenge Aotearoa, a huge stone circle that’s used as an observatory just as Stonehenge was in prehistoric times. A presentation here also explains how Maori used and viewed the stars.
