Carterton - an introduction

Just over an hour from Wellington, Carterton township straddles State Highway 2 in the centre of the Wairarapa valley, while the Carterton District stretches from the Tararua range in the west to the Pacific Ocean in the east. To the north the Waingawa River separates Carterton from Masterton District, while in the south the Waiohine River forms part of the boundary with South Wairarapa .

The town of Carterton was originally known as Three Mile Bush and began life as a settlement for workers employed on the road between Greytown and Masterton from 1857. It was later named after Charles Rooking Carter, a successful builder and politician with large landholdings in the area, and a benefactor of the new settlement.

The district has craggy mountains, tumbling rivers with dramatic gorges, undulating hills, forests, a coastal plain and a long sweeping coastline. It's well worth a visit!

Property sales in Carterton are lively, with rural properties particularly in demand, and a number of recent subdivisions bringing new families into the district. The population of the entire district is around 7,000, with almost 5,000 residents living in the town itself.

Since the first Europeans settled in the area, farming has been the dominant local activity and the township of Carterton the area's supply centre. Dairying, wool growing, and beef and lamb production have been the mainstays of the local economy, while today you’ll also find deer, llamas, dairy goats, ostriches, emus and other animals on farming properties throughout the district.

Vineyards, too, are growing in number and size, with new plantings at Gladstone and East Taratahi , while other crops such as olives are also finding favour with Carterton landowners, particularly newer residents with "lifestyle" blocks.

Tourism is on the increase, with visitors coming to enjoy weekends or extended holidays in Carterton. There’s a wide choice of accommodation including homestays, B&Bs, motels, hotels and camping sites.

Popular activities include tramping and climbing in the Tararuas, jet-boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, horse-riding and ballooning. For those who prefer a more restful stay there are a number of gardens, farms and wineries to visit, antiques and crafts to buy, and a wonderful variety of scenic drives.