Masterton: Art, History and Recreation

Masterton offers several themes to explore during a stay: art and exhibitions at Aratoi, the history of sheep farming at The Wool Shed, and public art and recreational activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Masterton, the themes of your stay can help guide your choice. The options mainly differ in what you’d like to discover or do while you’re there.

Art and History in Masterton

Aratoi hosts between 25 and 30 exhibitions each year. Aratoi’s collection is the only public art collection in Wairarapa. This means that Masterton’s art offerings centre on both changing exhibitions and a distinctive public art collection.

Aratoi is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm and closed on Mondays. Check the opening hours before you arrive. The public galleries are all on one level and are accessible to wheelchairs, walking aids and mobility scooters.

The Wool Shed is an interactive local history museum about the history of sheep farming and shearing in New Zealand. It features two authentic old wool sheds from local farms, as well as a gallery building with equipment from the sheep industry. This includes tools for shearing sheep and processing wool. The exhibition brings together the buildings themselves and the tools related to the subjects it covers.

Public Art and Recreation

Masterton’s Public Art Trail offers free visits to public artworks. A digital map makes it easier to explore, and entries provide information about the artists and their inspirations. The Discover Whakaoriori app also offers self-guided walks around Masterton, including maps of recreational routes. App availability and features may change, so check before using it whether the app is available and offers the features you want.

Masterton Minigolf is an 18-hole course on Dixon Street, next to Kids Own Playground and the Croquet Club. The course is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. This makes it easy to distinguish this activity from art and museum visits, without having to plan another longer activity.

At Queen Elizabeth Park, RotoCycle rents bikes for adults and children. Rentals range from two hours to a full day. If renting a bike fits your plans, check the current rental arrangements before your visit, as they may change.

Demonstrations at The Wool Shed

The Wool Shed offers spinning and weaving demonstrations on Wednesday mornings and by arrangement. Sheep-shearing demonstrations are available by arrangement. Confirm demonstrations with the operator. These arrangements help you plan your museum visit around the demonstration you want to see, rather than assuming one will be available at any time.

The different themes offer different ways to spend your time in Masterton: exploring the art collection and exhibitions, learning about the history of the sheep industry, or combining public art with recreation. The stated hours and arrangements are particularly relevant when planning individual visits.

Discover more destinations: Castlepoint, Whakataki.

See the main travel overview: Masterton District.