Breadcrumb
Destination view

Masterton

Masterton is the Wairarapa's largest town and is rumoured to be the warmest Wairarapa town during the summer. The town was founded by the Small Farms Association, and named after its leader Joseph Masters.  There is still a strong link to farming as the town of Masterton is surrounded by working farms and is the main hub for the smaller rural communities.  Sheep farming is what Masterton was built on and this is celebrated with the town hosting the annual Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition, the world's premier shearing and wool handling championship.

Pūkaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre General Admission - Open-Dated Voucher

Pūkaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre General Admission - Open-Dated Voucher

Set in 940 hectares of forest, Pūkaha is on State Highway 2, half way between Napier and Wellington right at the heart of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. A perfect and special stop off point to learn about New Zealand’s very special environment. At Pūkaha, they are dedicated to restoring the forest and protecting and nurturing endangered birds and animals – particularly kiwi, kokako, kaka and tuatara. Pūkaha has a very successful breeding programme and is home to the only white kiwi in captivity in the world, Manukura.
Your entry fee covers seven daily wildlife talks and feeds as well as entry to the nocturnal house where you will see Manukura, the worlds only white kiwi in captivity. Also in the nocturnal house is Turua, another North Island Brown Kiwi. Enjoy a walk through free flight aviary where you can experience the bush as it was hundreds of years ago. Enjoy the birds flying around you while viewing the Whio (Blue duck) and Pateke (Brown Teal) on the river run.

The Wool Shed Museum of Sheep & Shearing

The Wool Shed Museum of Sheep & Shearing

The Wool Shed is the New Zealand's National Museum of Sheep and Shearing. The museum prides itself on being hands-on, not your typical museum. You can touch and feel most of the exhibits, watch interactive displays and see physical woolsheds both old and new. Out the back there is even a rebuilt wool shed in the traditional style. Wool has been a backbone of the New Zealand's economy for a century and a half. You'll learn why wool has been so important in New Zealand's history and what makes us one of the best wool producers in the world. The Wool Shed Museum showcases wool in all its forms, from carpet, to clothing, fashion knitwear and other unique uses. There is an extensive gift shop with all manner of sheep and wool related products, great for that unique souvenir.

Check out our travel blogs here

Get inspired with stories and advice on visiting New Zealand.

Planning your New Zealand touring holiday
Let the experts at Discover New Zealand help

Our team of New Zealand specialists can help you create the perfect touring itinerary. Whether you want to explore the South Island on a self drive holiday or the North Island on an escorted coach tour package we can design or recommend the best options. We have a huge range of accommodation ideas to suit everyone and our first hand experience of destinations and activities means that we can give the best, most up to date honest advice.

About Discover New Zealand

Discover New Zealand is part of the New Zealand Fine Touring Group of companies. It specialises in self drive, seat in coach and guided coach touring holidays across New Zealand's North & South Islands. We have hundreds of tour ideas listed to inspire you or give you an indication of what is possible to achieve on your New Zealand adventure. Whether it is a luxury fully guided coach tour or a self driven off the beaten track adventure, we have something suitable for everyone. Our wide range of tour lengths and tour prices give you options and are tailor-made so we can build the itinerary to suit your interests and needs.
Our team of consultants are all 100% Pure New Zealand Certified specialists and are passionate about designing your New Zealand holiday. Our consultation service is free and our quotes are provided with no obligation. Based in the heart of Wanaka you can be assured you will get the best local advice when planning your dream holiday to New Zealand. Contact one of our experienced team today.
Discover New Zealand is also Qualmark Gold Certified. This is Tourism New Zealand's official measure of how our business impacts the environment and our team are proud to have achieved the highest level of quality.