Masterton Attractions
100km northeast of Wellington, on the fairly steep eastern slopes of the Tararua Range, is the town of Masterton (pop. 20,000), an important communications hub and supply center. It is named after Joseph Masters (1802-74), leader of the Small Farm Association, which opposed the settlement plans of Edward Wakefield and the New Zealand Land Company and demanded that poor immigrants should also be able to acquire and work small areas of land. Masters won the support of Governor Grey, whose name is commemorated in the little township of Greytown, 23km further south. In 1853 the association bought land from the Maoris, divided it up and sold it on to small farmers.
Wairarapa Arts Centre
The Wairarapa Arts Centre, which incorporates a Methodist church of 1878, has a collection of local and regional art.
Masterton Surroundings
Honeycomb Rock Walkway
50km south of Masterton, at Falt Point, is an 8km trail along the Pacific coast, passing curious honeycombed rocks.
Tararua Range
West of Masterton are the rugged hills of the densely wooded Tararua Range, which lies between the Wairarapa area and the west coast. There are a number of peaks, such as the Mitre (1571m).
Castlepoint (Riversdale)
Castlepoint (70km northeast) and Riversdale (c 60km east) are the only bathing resorts on the long stretch of inaccessible cliff coast in the southeast of the North Island.
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Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre
30km north on Highway 2 is the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre, run by the Department of Conservation. It is famed for its bird breeding station, which is particularly concerned with the survival of the endangered takahe.
Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre
RD1 State Highway 2
Masterton, Wellington
New Zealand
RD1 State Highway 2
Masterton, Wellington
New Zealand
Hours
April 3 to December 24
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
December 26 to April 2
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always closed on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Mount Holdsworth Reserve
22km west of Masterton, on the eastern fringes of Tararua Forest Park, is Mount Holdsworth (1474m), the central feature of an important nature reserve.
Tararua Forest Park
Some 100,000ha of the range constitute Tararua Forest Park, within which are a number of walking trails, with overnight accommodation in mountain huts.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
