Wairarapa Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
region in New Zealand
About Wairarapa
Wairarapa takes it name from Lake Wairarapa, the largest lake in the region. According to local Maori legend, the lake was discovered by Haunui while chasing his cheating wife Wairaka and her lover across the lower North Island. While he rested at the top of the Rimutaka Range, he looked down towards the lake to see it glistening with the reflection of the sun, hence he named the lakeWairarapa(glistening waters). Haunui also named the region's five major rivers - Tauwharenikau (corrupted to Tauherenikau), Waiohine, Waingawa, Waipoua and Ruamahunga. Commuting between Wairarapa and Wellington began after the opening of the 8.8-km Rimutaka rail tunnel in November 1955, and today over 1000 people make the daily commute "through the hill" to work in Wellington. Before the tunnel opened, trains
Top Attractions in Wairarapa
Explore the best things to see and do in Wairarapa:
- ★Borderlandz Paintball
- ★Cape Palliser
- ★Fell Locomotive Museum
- ★Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre
- ★Putangirua Pinnacles
- ★Stonehenge Aotearoa
Wairarapa Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: