Graytown Attractions

20km southwest of Masterton is Graytown (pop. 1,800), once the center of the fertile Wairarapa area (fruit growing, vegetables). The township was founded by small farmers in 1854 and named after Governor George Gray, who had supported the Small Farm Association in its efforts to help workers on the land own their own holdings.

The dense primeval forest was cleared for cultivation, but because of the unpredictable nature of the Waiohine River the railroad was built at some distance from Graytown and the town's development was brought to a halt.