Renowned for its namesake wine region in New Zealand’s North Island, Martinborough has another unique claim to fame: streets named after world cities. Look out for Venice, New York, Dublin, and others as you wander around. Wine tasting and vineyard tours are undoubtedly the most popular things to do in Martinborough; there are about 20 wineries to visit, most of which specialize in the region’s acclaimed pinot noir. You can also explore on a bike tour, enjoy a farm-to-table lunch, or visit nearby Cape Palliser or the Putangirua Pinnacles.
You can visit Martinborough year-round, and most wineries offer wine tastings throughout all four seasons. However, the best weather is from November through April, with the town attracting the most visitors on sunny summer weekends in December and January. If you don’t mind the crowds, the annual Toast Martinborough wine, food, and music festival is the town’s biggest event, held each January, while a second Taste of Wairarapa wine festival takes place in November.
The small town of Martinborough is easy to get around on foot, and there are several wineries within walking distance of the central Martinborough Memorial Square. The most scenic way to get around is to rent a bike and cycle through the vineyards. Otherwise, you’ll need a designated driver: Either get a taxi or join one of the many wine-tasting tours.
Martinborough is the ideal basecamp for exploring the South Wairarapa District, where highlights include the 19th-century Cape Palliser Lighthouse on the southern coastline, the Remutaka Cycle Trail, and the jagged rocks of the Putangirua Pinnacles, seen in the Lord of the Rings movies. The nearby Aorangi Forest Park also has plenty of options for hiking, camping, and stargazing—the entire region is protected as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
