While you're here... take the long way home.

Greytown Garage doesn't have to end when the cars leave Main Street. If you love a good road, we've put together some of our favourite drives through the Wairarapa — winding roads, spectacular scenery, country stops and plenty of places worth pulling over for.

Drive 1: Coastal Escape

Route: Greytown → Castlepoint
Drive Time: 1 hour 25 minutes (one way)
Total Return Time: Approx. 2.5 hours
Best for: Couples · Weekend Explorers · Nature Lovers · Families · Relaxed Day-Trippers · Motorhomes

The route in detail: This scenic countryside drive winds through classic Wairarapa farmland before opening to one of the North Island’s most striking coastal destinations, with plenty of options to stop and stretch your legs along the route.

Start your journey in Greytown, Aotearoa’s first inland town, in the heart of the Wairarapa. Head north along State Highway 2 to Masterton. Head east and make your way into the countryside, where the road will wind down through farm land and forestry.

You’ll reach the quaint Tinui village, home to the Tinui Pub, The Tinui Food Forest and the historic Tinui ANZAC Walkway loop - a hike to the first ever ANZAC memorial site, which all make great options to break up your drive.

Continue along the twisting road which will climb over a forested range, and eventually open out to the Castlepoint Golf Course and then the Whakataki Hotel, a great stop for a cold beverage or bite to eat.

A few minutes beyond the Whakataki you will descend into the iconic Castlepoint beach village, famous for the lighthouse, first lit in 1913, is one of the last two remaining beam lighthouses in New Zealand.

Pick up some fish and chips or an ice cream from The Store, drive to the end where you’ll find a free carpark. Then explore the village and surrounding beach area by foot. Most popular is the Lighthouse Walk and Deliverance Cove Track Loop. Try fishing off the reef, swimming in the sheltered lagoon or surfing in ‘The Gap’.

Fancy a longer drive back? Ten minutes past Tinui, take a left turn onto Langdale Road for a detour south via Whareama to Riversdale Beach. Use your Navigation to guide you on this detour.

Don't forget to stop at Rewanui Forest Park on the route back to Greytown - a series of loop walks through a 334-hectare farm, taking in native bush and pine forest.

Where to Stay:

The White Swan Hotel:
Boutique charm in the heart of Greytown village.

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park:
Spacious and ideal for larger groups or family stays.

Castlepoint Holiday Park & Motels: Cabin and campsites right in the heart of Castlepoint Village. Great options available for larger groups.

Castlepoint Bach: Baches and holiday house at Castlepoint or further up the coast at Mataikona for something quiter.

Where to Eat: The White Swan Hotel, The Castlepoint Store, Tinui Pub, Whakataki Hotel

For ‘What’s On’ and to learn more about the region visit Destination Wairarapa.