MASTERTON

The great survivor

Saturday, December 15, Aratoi Museum of Art and History, Masterton. 1.30pm doors, 2pm show

Travel possible ex Wellington, Hutt Valley or Wairarapa

Tickets here

How is it that there is no train between Hamilton and Auckland, and yet Masterton, with a population of only 25 000 people, holds it’s interurban rail service with Wellington? When almost all other services were closed, Masterton even had a service to Palmerston North as late as 1988.

However they’ve done it, a trip through the engineering marvel that is the Rimutaka tunnel, and through the sunny fields and country towns of the Wairarapa, is a true wonder, and something to celebrate. Especially when you can take this 1 hour, 41 minute journey on the Wairarapa Line (WRL) for as little as $11.12 each way on an off peak ten trip fare.

Itinerary

The service on a weekend is not frequent, so this trip will require good planning and punctuality - there is only one chance each way.

To make the show, you'll need to take the morning service to Masterton - this leaves Wellington at 9.54am and arrives at 11.35am. You then have a leisurely amount of time to take lunch.

Doors at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History are at 1:3opm, music will start at 2:00, and the show will finish by 4:00.

Trains leave Masterton Station for Wellington at 4:45pm. Please note, it is a 20 minute walk to the station, and this is the last service for the day.

This journey is most affordable if you use Metlink 10-trip tickets. For these shows, you can use off-peak 10-trip tickets. Cash is also accepted on board Metlink Trains (without discounts), but there is no EFTPOS.