Greytown, New Zealand - an alluring Victorian village

 80 Kilometres North East of Wellington and on the other side of the spectacular Rimutaka Ranges, lies the picturesque and charming village of Greytown, population 2300.  Greytown has long been a favourite get away destination for Wellingtonians and today more and more people are moving from the city to retire there, and who can blame them?

This tiny shop was
originally
a boot maker's 

Established in 1854 Greytown was New Zealand's first planned inland town. Today it is one of the prettiest towns in the North Island winning the title of "Most Beautiful Small Town in New Zealand" in 2017. The early settlers who moved to Greytown looking for affordable plots of land to farm would marvel at the trendy bars, cafes, and designer stores now lining the main street, the settlers' great legacy being the wide streets and the number of Victorian heritage buildings still in use today. It is these heritage buildings, so lovingly preserved and cared for, the tree lined streets, the beautiful surrounding countryside, with its wineries, olive groves, farms and rivers which make Greytown irresistible.

                            

Left and right: The Borough Council Building (1892) is now a bicycle shop

Below: Heritage buildings on Main Street. On the left is the former blacksmith's home parts of which date from 1861.  It is thought to be the oldest remaining structure in Greytown. On the right, the former Bank of New Zealand (1875)

I was fortunate enough to spend a few days in Greytown recently to attend my nephew's wedding. It had been a few years since I had been there and I was excited to be going back, I wasn't disappointed. It is always a pleasure to wander Main Street, picking and poking in the various stores, and reading the plaques on many buildings detailing their history.  Greytown must have more designer stores than any other town its size, it is fun to browse them but my favourite thing to do is to get up early in the morning and walk the quiet back streets admiring the homesteads with their beautiful gardens, rambling roses and cherry blossoms. 

Above, left and right: Some of the pretty houses and cottages.  The cottage on the right was originally a shop

 

For a real step back in time go to Cobblestones Museum, which is laid out as an early settlers village with 14 heritage buildings to visit.  Feel like a sweet treat? Then go to Schoc Chocolate shop where you can buy an astonishing array of delicious, if rather pricey, chocolate and who can resist sitting with friends at the beautiful White Swan Hotel in the heart of town with a glass of wine, good conversation and a passing parade of strollers?  There are plenty of dining options and  I highly recommend the Aroma India Restaurant on Main Street where we agreed we had one of our best ever Indian meals at only $21 a head.

The White Swan Hotel, originally a railway workshop, transported over the steep and winding Rimutakas in 6 pieces

The iconic Eucalyptus

If you are a lover of trees Greytown even has a Heritage Tree Trail (you can pick up a map for this at the Information Centre). The town boasts many grand and beautiful trees but the jewel in the tree crown is the huge Eucalyptus on Main Street which was transported by wheelbarrow all the way from Wellington and planted in 1856. Also worth a visit is the Soldiers Memorial Park for a leisurely walk along the pretty, shady lime tree avenue.

I loved my stay in Greytown and know I won't leave it so long to visit next time. If you are in Wellington I suggest you take a day out and visit Greytown.  You will be very pleased you did. While there pick up an Historic Greytown map at the information centre.  It denotes 37 points of interest, a surprisingly large number for such a small town.

 www.greytownheritagetrust.com   www.cobblestonesmuseum.org.nz     www.whiteswan.co.nz    www.schoc.co.nz