Martinborough: Vineyards, Trails and Local History

Martinborough combines winegrowing with trails through farmland, art in the streetscape and a prominent local history. There are more than 20 vineyards here; many are within walking or cycling distance of the town square. When choosing holiday accommodation for your stay, you might therefore start by considering whether wine tastings, outdoor activities or cultural discoveries will shape your travel plans.

Experience Wine – on Foot or by Bicycle

Martinborough is a stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. On the Martinborough Wine Walks, small groups of up to 10 people usually go behind the scenes: visitors meet winemakers and winegrowers, hear their personal stories and taste wines directly with the producers. Margrain Vineyard is located in the heart of the Martinborough wine region and offers a comprehensive wine experience. Another way to discover the wine region is Toast Martinborough: the festival is held exclusively at The Runholder and brings together wineries, producers, artists and culinary talent for a day.

You can also plan a cycling trip among Martinborough’s vineyards. Green Jersey offers bicycles for hire, including for rides like these. You can choose between a stay featuring personal encounters on the Wine Walks and exploring independently by bicycle. Many vineyards are within walking or cycling distance of the town square.

Walking Trails and Discoveries in Town

The Rapaki Walk is a circular walk across farmland. Along the way, it offers views of the Wairarapa Valley and Martinborough’s vineyards; an optional viewpoint overlooking the Te Muna Valley is also included. The Palliser Vineyard Walk is listed as a 50-minute circular walk in Martinborough. Its route loops around Palliser Vineyard to the river and then returns through the middle of the vineyard. The two trails therefore offer different highlights: farmland and wide-ranging views on the Rapaki Walk, and a circuit through wine country on the Palliser Vineyard Walk.

In town, the Martinborough StoryWalk® runs from the upper end of Considine Park, at the corner of Kitchener Street and Princess Street, to the exit at Vintner Lane. The Marty Mural Trail can be explored on foot or by bicycle through Martinborough Village and takes you to eight colourful murals. If you are particularly interested in history, you can include the Martinborough Heritage Trail; it visits historic sites within the town only.

Local History and Public Spaces

The Martinborough Museum collects, preserves and presents material and information about the natural and cultural heritage of Martinborough and South Wairarapa. Its building was designed by architect Charles Natusch. It opened as the town library in 1894 and became a museum in 1978. The historic quarter in the town centre also contributes to the character of the town. The Martinborough Hotel, also historic, was built in 1882.

Memorial Square, also known as Union Square and Martinborough Square, is in the heart of Martinborough. Considine and Centennial Park Reserve has a different character: covering 6.47 ha, it offers open recreational spaces, a swimming pool, a campground, equestrian facilities, a trail and notable trees. These different offerings give your trip different focuses – from visiting the town and enjoying outdoor trails to recreation spaces and wine experiences.

The focus you want for your trip can therefore be a helpful starting point when choosing holiday accommodation in Martinborough: think about which experiences you want to make central to your stay, then compare suitable accommodation options. More places: Greytown, Kahutara, Pirinoa.

For the broader travel overview: South Wairarapa District.