Greytown Area Guide
Greytown lies on the river plains of the rural Wairarapa, a 70-minute drive over the Rimutaka Hills from Wellington, a prime destination for visitors heading north to sample the area's fresh cuisine and fine wines, and shop in its antique stores.Greytown was New Zealand's first planned inland town, and the main settlement in the Wairarapa, until the railway line bypassed the town in the 1870s. The main street is lined with the original Victorian wooden buildings, neatly protected by the lack of development here during the first half of the 20th century. Greytown's layout dates from the original land survey in 1853, when 120 one-acre sections, 60 on either side of Main Street, were parcelled up and sold, along with farm blocks, to British settlers.
For an insight into Greytown's history, visit the Cobblestones Early Settlers' Museum on Main Street at the south end of town. The museum is housed in the old coaching stables which were used by horse-drawn mail coaches in the 19th century, and is a veritable treasure trove of old colonial buildings, horse-drawn vehicles and vintage farm machinery.
Greytown's main attraction for visitors though is not its history, but its shops, cafes and restaurants, which make the town a delightful place to visit on weekend escapes into the rural heartland of the Wairarapa. Explore its culinary delights with a gourmet walking tour, or simply stroll the main street, pausing for a drink at the elegant White Swan Hotel, or stopping at one of the cafes along the main street, leaving plenty of time for browsing in the art and craft and antique stores and boutiques.