Destination guides > Pacific Islands > New Zealand > Wellington Region > The Wairarapa > Masterton
Masterton
Home to around 20,000 people, Masterton is the largest town in the region and is worth a stop if you’re driving through. It has a couple of interesting sights but is probably best known as the home of the annual Golden Shears sheep shearing competition held at the end of February.
Practical information
Masterton i-SITE Visitor Centre
5 Dixon Street, Masterton
Tel (06) 377 7577
Website www.wairarapanz.com
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
Coming & going
The train is the best way to get to Masterton. TranzMetro (tel (04) 801 7000) trains go to Wellington and depart from the train station on Perry Street, north west of the town centre. The one-way fare is $14; a day return is only $15 but it is not valid on some early morning services.
Local buses connect Masterton with other towns in the Wairarapa region. Bus 200 goes to Featherston where you can transfer to bus 205 to Martinborough.
Hostel accommodation
Chanel Court Backpackers
14-18 Herbert Street, Masterton
Tel (06) 378 2877
Empire Lodge
94 Queen Street, Masterton
Tel (06) 377 1902
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Aratoi Museum
Masterton’s Aratoi Museum has exhibits on local history plus artworks by local artists.
Corner Bruce & Dixon Streets, Masterton
Tel (03) 370 0001
Website www.aratoi.co.nz
Admission $1-2 donation
Open 10am-4.30pm daily
Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre
This conservation centre, 25 minutes north of Masterton, is where endangered wildlife including kiwi, kaka and tuatara are bred and looked after before being released into the wild.
State Highway 2, Mount Bruce
Tel (06) 375 8754
Website www.mtbruce.org.nz
Admission $10
Open 9am-4.30pm daily
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