Quick Facts
Martinborough for Families — Overview
Martinborough is a picturesque wine village in the Wairarapa, 1.5 hours from Wellington. The village is built around a central square (Te Whiti Park) and surrounded by world-class pinot noir vineyards. For families, the village square is a lovely picnic spot, several cellar doors are child-friendly, and the drive through the Wairarapa wine country is beautiful.
Top Things to Do in Martinborough with Kids
- ✓ Te Whiti Park (village square) — picnic on the village green, playround for children
- ✓ Palliser Estate cellar door — one of the most family-friendly cellar doors in the region
- ✓ Village cycling — hire bikes in Martinborough and cycle between cellar doors (adult + cargo bike for kids)
- ✓ Toast Martinborough (November) — NZ's largest wine and food festival. Family-friendly day out.
- ✓ Stonehenge Aotearoa (20 min north near Carterton) — a full-scale working Stonehenge replica. $15/adult.
Rainy Day Options — Martinborough
Where to Stay in Martinborough with Kids
The Martinborough Hotel is excellent but expensive. Holiday homes and B&Bs. Book ahead for Toast Martinborough.
Find Martinborough Accommodation on Booking.com →Martinborough Family Budget Guide
Cellar door tastings $5–10/person. Village cycling hire ~$25/day. Good value lunch at the village cafés.
Use the NZ Family Travel Budget Calculator to plan your full trip spend.
Martinborough Family FAQ
Can children join parents at Martinborough wine tastings?
Most Martinborough cellar doors are welcoming to children — they're small, relaxed operations rather than formal venues. Palliser Estate and Ata Rangi are particularly good for families. Children can explore the vineyards while parents taste. Bring a picnic for the Martinborough village square and let kids run around while you visit a cellar door or two.
Nearby Destinations to Combine with Martinborough
All NZ City Family Guides →
Family guides for 33 NZ cities and towns — from Whangarei to Invercargill.