New Zealand's capital is a vibrant city and virtually all backpackers pass through here, both to make transport connections between the North and South Islands and to explore the city. However most travellers seldom see the region beyond the city, including the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa Region.

Wellington

Kapiti Coast

The Kapiti Coast starts less than an hour north west of Wellington. The stretch of coastline between Paekakariki and Otaki is a popular daytrip or a stop over if you're travelling north from Wellington.

Coming & Going

Wellington's TranzMetro suburban rail system makes getting to the Kapiti Coast a breeze and the $10 Day Rover travel pass makes it an affordable excursion from the city. Trains run approximately every half hour.

Paekakariki

This sleepy seaside village is the southern gateway to the Kapiti Coast and many people come here just to relax by the sea.

Accommodation

Paekakariki Backpackers

11 Wellington Road, Paekakariki

Train Paekakariki

Tel (04) 902 5967

Sights & Activities

Wellington Tramway Museum

This museum features a 2km tram track and restored vintage trams from Wellington, Wanganui and New Plymouth.

Queen Elizabeth Park, McKays Crossing, Paekakariki

Tel (04) 292 8361

Admission $4

Open 26 Dec-Jan 11am-5pm daily; Feb-24 Dec Sat-Sun 11am-5pm

Paraparaumu

There are nicer towns on the coast but busy Paraperam has a good infrastructure of shops and transport links that make it a good base for exploring the area.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

Coastlands Parade, Paraparaumu

Tel (04) 298 8195

Website www.kapititourist.co.nz

Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Accommodation

Barnacles Seaside Inn

3 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu

Tel (04) 902 5856 or 0800 555 856

Otaki

This quaint little town has a down-to-earth feel about it along with a good beach. It's on the train line and both local and long distance trains stop here.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

Centennial Park, State Highway 1, Otaki

Tel (06) 364 7620

Website www.kapititourist.co.nz

Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm

Accommodation

Nirvarna Backpackers

41 Rangiuru Road, Otaki

Tel (06) 364 0115

Otaki Oasis

33 Rahui Road, Otaki

Tel (06) 364 6860

The Wairarapa

This largely rural region north of Wellington produces some good wines and is home to the Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre. Masterton is the Wairarapa's major town.

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

Visitor Information 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; website www.tranzmetro.co.nz) trains go to Wellington and depart from the train station on Perry Street, north west of the town centre.

Tranzit Coachlines (tel (06) 377 1227) connects Masterton with Palmerston North, going via Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre. Coaches depart from Queen Street.

Accommodation

Chanel Backpackers

14-18 Herbert Street, Masterton

Tel (06) 378 2846

Sights

Aratoi Museum

The Aratoi Museum is an art gallery that focuses on works by artists from the Wairarapa region.

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 $8

Open 9am-4.30pm daily

Martinborough

This small town lies at the heart of the Martinborough wine region, which is renowned for its excellent Pinot Noirs.

Practical Information

Visitor Information Centre

18 Kitchener Street, Martinborough

Tel (06) 306 9043

Website www.wairarapanz.com

Open 10am-4pm daily

Coming & Going

Not many backpackers come to Martinborough and those that do usually drive here.

There are bus connections from Masterton and Featherston, from where you can get a connecting train into Wellington.

Accommodation

Kates Place

7 Cologne Street, Martinborough

Sights

Martinborough Wine Centre

While it's lots of fun to crawl from one winery to another sampling their produce, if time or access to transport is an issue you can come to the Martinborough Wine Centre and taste wines from a variety of Martinborough and Wairarapa wineries. A produce and craft market is held here every Sunday.

6 Kitchener Street, Martinborough

Tel (06) 306 9040

Website www.martinboroughwinecentre.co.nz