Things to do from the Summit Lodge

The Summit Lodge is located in Gladstone, central in the Wairarapa region. There many wonderful and exciting things to do throughout the year in the Wairarapa: concerts, wine and food, walks, cycling, gaze at the stars, sports, markets. Relaxing at the lodge within the gardens both day and night is a tranquil way to spend your time

With minimum ambient light, the night skies are amazing - shooting stars, the Milky Way, satellites and the constellations are all so clear. An added bonus is that we often enjoy the most incredible sunsets - a photographer's dream!

Local Towns

Masterton - 16 mins Carterton - 12 mins Greytown 18 mins Martinborough - 25 mins

Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve - The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is an initiative to protect the dark skies of the Wairarapa region, of which Galdstone sits within. Spend a clear night gazing at the stars from The Lodge, where the vision can be enhanced by booking an onsite visit from Under the Stars or 15 mins away, visit the wonderful observatory at Star Safari.

Food and wine - Gladstone is the smaller of the two wine regions in Wairarapa but punches above it's weight with the quality and uniqueness of the wine it produces. Gladstone Vineyard is open every weekend (or by appointment) and only 3kms from The Summit Lodge; Johner Estate is located a short 15 min drive away; and the soon to be open tasting room at Urlar. We are fortunate to have the Gladstone Country Inn 2km away as a wonderful local country pub serving great food and local wine. There are many other wonderful wineries and restaurants located 25 mins away in Martinborough. And we are fortunate enough to have some wonderful offerings in nearby Greytown, Carterton and Masterton.

Wairarapa as a Destination - There are so many events over the year in the Wairarapa, including within or near Gladstone. Locally we have Scarecrow's Big Day Out, The Great Gladstone Plant Fair (of which The Summit Lodge is a part of with the Gardeners' Collective), Harvest Festival, Wings over Wairarapa, Ballon Festival, Toast Martinborough, Greytown Festival of Christmas, Daffodil Festival, The Martinborough Fair....... check out Destination Waiarapa for upcoming events

Admiral Hill view — *The view from the top of Admiral Road. Great cycling!*

Swing bridge at Waiohine Gorge — *One of the walks in the Tararua Ranges starts by crossing the Waiohine Gorge*

Stone Henge Aotearoa — *A wonderfully captured image of the Wairarapa dark sky. Photographer Pete Monk*

Sport - there are 6 golf courses in the Wairarapa so bring your clubs; there is also local rugby and hockey to watch and a variety of cycling and running events over the year.

Walks - Pukaha National Wildlife Centre is a not-for-profit charity managing an unfenced breeding sanctuary for native wildlife. Their 942-hectare forest is home to wild birds. Inside their aviaries they hatch kiwi, kākā and kākāriki for release across Aotearoa New Zealand. Tararua Ranges (Mt Holdsworth, Mt Dick, Waiohine Gorge) or out at the coast - Castlepoint or Riversdale beach both about an hour's drive , Honey Comb Rock at Flatpoint, Riversdale or a gentle walk around Lake Henley and the wetlands or Carters Reserve;- lots of options! Download the Department of Consevation brochure here .

Cycling - there are several road circuit options from the Summit Lodge through beautiful countryside. There is also the very challenging Admiral Hill climb right on our doorstep.Bring your own bike over or hire one! Check out the many cycling options here.