A renowned international travel publisher has singled out two New Zealand locations in its global recommendations of where to visit in 2026.
In Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026, the North Island has earned a place among the top places hot list, while Wairarapa’s stargazing, food and wine experiences have been included in the top experiences hot list.
The annual best in travel listings highlight places to go and things to experience in the year ahead. The 2026 edition, launching today, has placed Wairarapa on its list of 50 essential picks worldwide.
The region, stretching from the east of Wellington to the bottom of Hawke’s Bay, has been named next to experiences such as exploring the Grand Canyon in the US, staying in a traditional ryokan in Japan, and going on a culinary tour of Old Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Wairarapa was labelled as “not just an after-hours destination”, but a place where day and night can deliver “unforgettable experiences”.
“By day, Wairarapa offers award-winning food and wine, boutique shopping, outdoor adventures and charming towns with plenty of accommodation options. At night, visitors can step outside and marvel at the pristine skies or join guided tours led by expert local astronomers,” Lonely Planet said.
In 2023, several districts in Wairarapa were named as a dark sky sanctuary, in an effort to protect its night skies from light pollution.
Lonely Planet said it was only one of 22 international dark sky reserves in the world, and called it “arguably the most accessible”.
“Wairarapa offers a range of stargazing options with the comforts of civilisation close by. Just an hour’s scenic drive or train ride from Wellington, it’s the perfect place to enjoy starry skies with world-class hospitality.”
Destination Wairarapa chairman Roger Wigglesworth said: “Being selected for this prestigious list is a remarkable achievement, especially alongside experiences such as rafting the Grand Canyon and tracking elephants in Namibia.
“Being selected for this prestigious list is a remarkable achievement, especially alongside experiences such as rafting the Grand Canyon and tracking elephants in Namibia.”
For more on why Wairarapa made the list, tune into Seven Sharp on Friday at 7pm on TVNZ1 or TVNZ+
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