Masterton is one of the oldest inland towns in New Zealand. The town stands on relatively flat ground and straddles the Waipoua River, and is the largest town in the Wairarapa area, a mostly rural and farming region in the south-east of New Zealand’s North Island. Masterton is located approximately 100 kilometres north-east of Wellington and is a thriving rural community of 19,500 residents. It is the main commercial and market centre of the Wairarapa region, and a hub for government offices, hospital services, schools and transport.
Located centrally within the diverse and sparsely populated region of Wairarapa has enabled Masterton to become a popular destination for nature lovers and trampers, and a rural family retreat for all ages. The Wairarapa region is comprised of three main geographical areas, the western mountainous zone formed by the Rimutaka Range, the central lowlands and rivers that include Lake Wairarapa, and the eastern uplands which include the Waewaepa and Puketoi ranges, these beautiful scenic areas ensured that Masterton can offer a broad range of outdoor activities. These range from canoeing to mountain biking, tramping, sky diving, rafting, ballooning, jet boating, abseiling, fishing, surfing and scuba diving. For the less energetic opportunities exist to enjoy a game of golf, a guided tour of a working farm, country garden visits, heritage walks or one of the arts and craft trails. Within close proximity to Masterton are a number of forest parks and reserves, several lakes, numerous rivers and a stretch of wild Pacific Ocean coastline which is home to several seal colonies and the picturesque Cape Palliser lighthouse. Masterton is known for hosting the annual international shearing competition known as the ‘Golden Shears’.
Apart from the outdoor activities which exist in the Masterton area, the town offers interesting attractions such as Aratoi, the Wairarapa Museum of Art and History which displays art works and historic objects that tell the stories of the Wairarapa and its people - the Museum of Childhood which portrays aspects of childhood in New Zealand from the 1840’s onwards - the Pointon Collection of vintage and veteran cars, tools and costumes - the historic Jubilee Fire House and the nearby Henley Lake. One of Masterton’s main attractions for the family has to be the Queen Elizabeth Park which contains, within its 30 hectares, not only mature trees and well tended gardens but a beautiful lake, aviary, children’s playground, mini golf and a deer park. Just to the north of Masterton can be found the Mount Bruce Pioneer Museum where you can see many items from the early days of New Zealand farming, and the Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre which is famed for its bird sanctuary and breeding programs for endangered species.
Masterton was founded in 1854 by the Small Farms Association which was led by Joseph Masters, after whom the town was named. After a slow start, the town began to grow which was a reflection of the productivity of the local farming community, eventually becoming the major centre in 1870 over its rival, the local community of Greytown that lies to the south. During the 1870’s Masterton became a borough and in 1880 the town was connected to Wellington by the railway which established the importance of this rural centre within the Wairarapa area. This railway is well known for the Rimutaka Incline Track which was at one time New Zealand’s steepest track and today is a popular walking and mountain bike trail. If railways are your thing, it could be worth to take some time out and visit Featherston’s popular Fell Locomotive Museum. The museum houses the rebuilt and unique H199, the only remaining Fell engine from the six that once serviced the Rimutaka Incline over a period of 77 years, and the rebuilt Fell brake van F210. The museum also houses the full history of the Rimutaka Incline and its Fell locomotives, recalled through photographs, models, memorabilia, films and a spectacular audio-visual presentation.
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