landmark
Castlepoint Lighthouse
Lighthouse on a reef-backed headland on the Wairarapa coast, reached by a 68 km sealed road east from Masterton.
49 km · about 55 min drive
OceaniaNew ZealandWellington Region
Masterton
Wellington Region, New Zealand · Oceania
About Masterton
Masterton sits on the route: 5 minutes from Solway, 49km from Castlepoint Lighthouse.
Masterton is in Wellington Region, New Zealand, with about 29,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Solway, about 4 km away.
Masterton (Māori: Whakaoriori) is a town in the eponymous Masterton District of New Zealand. It serves as the seat of the Masterton District Council and is the largest town in the Wairarapa. It is situated on the Waipoua River between the Ruamāhunga and Waingawa Rivers and is 100 kilometres north-east of WellingtonRead more
and 40 kilometres south of Eketāhuna.
Masterton has an urban population of 22,600, and a district population of 28,900 (June 2025).
Masterton businesses includes services for surrounding farmers. Three new industrial parks are being developed in Waingawa, Solway and Upper Plain. The town functions as the headquarters of the annual Golden Shears sheep-shearing competition
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Masterton?
Within an hour or so of Masterton: Castlepoint Lighthouse (49 km), Southward Car Museum (53 km).
Are there any good drives near Masterton?
The nearest famous roads are Queen Charlotte Drive.
Where is Masterton?
Masterton is in Wellington Region, New Zealand, about 4 km from Solway.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 28,900
- Continent
- Oceania
- Country
- New Zealand
- Region
- Wellington Region
- Timezone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Coordinates
- -40.9597, 175.6575
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in New Zealand
Many rural bridges are single-lane. Give way as signed.
Full driving guide for New ZealandTags
Worth the detour from Masterton
2 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Southward Car Museum
One of the Southern Hemisphere's largest collections with over 400 vehicles spanning a century of motoring.
53 km · about 60 min drive
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