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.

A true off-the-beaten-track adventure from Greytown to the remote shores of Akitio. Choose the scenic River Road (fully sealed) for a smoother journey, or take sections of quieter single-lane rural roads for a more authentic backcountry feel.

This is a drive for those who enjoy space, solitude and discovering the lesser-known corners of Wairarapa.

Route: Greytown → Masterton → Mount Bruce → Mangatainoka → Pongaroa → Ākitio
Drive Time: 2.5 hours one way, Approx. 5 hours return
Road Notes:
Some sections are single-lane rural roads. River Road provides a fully sealed alternative.
Where to Stay and Eat: Tui Brewery, Pongaroa Hotel, Marainanga Farm Stay
Must-do:
Akitio: A remote east coast settlement with dramatic ocean views and a true “end of the road” feeling.
Mangatiti Falls: Just 6.5km from Pongaroa — a rewarding waterfall stop surrounded by native bush.

Waihi Falls: another spectacular waterfall 45km east of Danniverke  
Pūkaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre: Native bird encounters and conservation experiences along State Highway 2.
Tui Brewery: An iconic New Zealand brewery stop for food, drinks and a relaxed break in Mangatainoka

The Route in Detail: for the fully sealed route, head north on SH2 from Greytown (don’t forget to stop at Pukaha and Tui Brewery) and continue all the way to Woodville. Turn right on SH2 at Woodville and head to Danniverke. Turn right again onto Millar Street, which turns into Weber Road. Continue on 28km to Weber, a small rural settlement.

From Weber head on until you meet SH52. Take the right, and the road will wind along beside the river until you reach Waione. It is along this stretch of road that you will see the stop for the Waihi Falls, a must-do stop along this road.

At Waione, take a left and continue along this winding rural road all the way to the coast, where you will come to Akitio, a coastal fishing settlement with iconic kiwi baches, a large river mouth and secluded beach, station woolsheds and a fishing club.

I‍f you prefer an alternative route home, head back to Waione, and take the left turn towards Pongaroa and on to Makuri along Pahiatua-Pongaroa Road until you reach Pahiatua and SH2. If you wanted to continue on the back roads from Pongaroa, head to Tiraumea and on to Alfredton and then Eketahuna along SH52. These roads are un-sealed in places.

Return to Greytown along SH2.

For ‘What’s On’ in the region visit Destination Wairarapa.