Discover Masterton District

This makes it possible to plan your trip around different interests—from museums and public art to a scheduled event or time on the trails. The cultural and recreational offerings mentioned are in Masterton itself.

Sheep farming, art and regional history

The Wool Shed is a hands-on local history museum about the history of New Zealand sheep farming and shearing. On display are two authentic old woolsheds, transported there from local farms, as well as equipment for sheep farming, shearing and wool processing. The historic sheds and tools are presented alongside the history of the activities covered by the museum. Spinning and weaving demonstrations take place on Wednesday mornings and by appointment; the visitor programme may change. If you plan to attend a demonstration, check the latest information before your visit.

There are different themes to explore in art and regional history. Aratoi: Wairarapa Museum of Art & History explores the region’s history and stories through exhibitions of national significance. The exhibitions change. The Public Art Trail lets you visit numerous public artworks for free. A digital map helps you find your way and provides background information about the artists and their inspirations. This way, visiting the artworks also offers insight into the ideas behind their creation.

Events and when to visit

A recurring date in the events calendar is the Golden Shears: every March, Masterton hosts this world championship in shearing and wool handling, regarded as the world’s leading event of its kind. Several events are also held in Masterton every year at Christmas, including a parade. These different dates can help guide your trip planning: the Golden Shears takes place in March, while the other events are held over the Christmas period. Check the latest event dates for your travel dates.

Recreational trails and getting around

Masterton’s recreational trails are another focus. The completed trails extend for more than ten kilometres and are shared by walkers, cyclists, runners, horse riders and dog owners. This makes them suitable for different kinds of activity, without reserving them for any one group of users.

For getting around, there is also the Discover Whakaoriori app, with interactive maps and self-guided tours around Masterton. The Public Art Trail digital map and the app answer different questions: the trail map helps you visit the artworks and provides information about the artists and their inspirations; the app offers maps and tours for exploring the area around Masterton independently. Which of these tools is more useful to you depends on whether you want to focus on public art or take a tour.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Masterton, Whakataki, Castlepoint, Lower Hutt City, Wellington City, Gladstone, Upper Hutt City, South Wairarapa District.

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