Hawke's Bay Activity Highlights

Hawke's Bay | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Hawke's Bay Wine Country presents an eclectic mix of visual and sensual experiences, supported by seemingly endless sunshine.

Hawke's Bay Activity Highlights Overview

Supported by seemingly constant sunshine, Hawke's Bay promises you a wonderful time. Come to indulge your love of wine, your enjoyment of food and your sense of adventure.

» Hawke's Bay Activities

Napier, the Art Deco City

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Art Deco Weekend in Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Art Deco Weekend in Napier
Hawke's Bay
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)

After a massive earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style. Today its charm and elegance has been preserved.

Tour the city with a trained guide from the Art Deco Trust. Finish with a trip to the Art Deco Shop
Visit the 1931 Earthquake Exhibition and Nga Tukemata (an exhibition which celebrates the Māori history of the East Coast) at the Hawke's Bay Museum
Experience unique ecotourist entertainment at the National Aquarium of New Zealand
Go on the Classic Sheepskins Tannery Tour
Explore Napier's Emerson shopping street, including Statements Gallery, to view original art work by local artists

» Napier Travel Directory

Wild Escapes aren't Far Away

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers
Hawke's Bay
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)

From Napier you can explore the Hawke's Bay landscape in every direction.

View Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, an accessible mainland gannet colony
Visit local artists and boutique wineries on the Kidnappers Escape Art, Food and Wine Trail
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional village market at the Farmers Market, held every Sunday
Go Hot Air Ballooning—flights take place in the early morning within the first few hours of the sunrise
Book for a Māori Cultural Tour. Overnight Marae* stays are an option

* Marae—Māori settlement including meeting house

Fine Wine and Fabulous Food

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Black Bridge Estate winery, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Black Bridge Estate Winery
Hawke's Bay
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)

As one of New Zealand's key wine growing districts, the Hawke's Bay is ready to show you a good time.

Enjoy wine tasting at over 30 vineyards, many with a cafe or restaurant
Go on the Hawke's Bay Food Trail—a self-guided tour of artisan food producers
Enjoy a cycling tour through the beautiful landscape of the wine growing area
Visit Pernel Fruitworld. Located in the heart of an extensive orchard district surrounding Hastings, Pernel orchard has over 12,000 fruit trees
Call into Arataki Honey—one of the largest bee-keeping enterprises in the Southern Hemisphere

Scenery as Far as the Eye Can See

In the mountains and forests you'll discover the grandeur of Hawke's Bay geography.

Climb up Te Mata Peak. Towering 400 metres above sea level, it offers panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges and Cape Kidnappers
Relax at Morere Hot Springs—hot pools set in a beautiful bush environment
Explore Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve and beach
See Clonkeen Caves—extensive limestone and glowworm caves. Explore and see the stalactites, stalagmites, glow-worms and limestone formations
Wander around Bremdale—Garden of Eden, Nuhaka
Visit the stately house and gardens of Chesterton
Find peace at Tradgaard, an award winning country garden
Smell the air at Casa Lavanda, the lavender farm
Wander the paths of Trelinnoe, one of New Zealand's finest woodland gardens