Hawkes Bay

Bicycle Wine Tours

Over 200km of flat cycle trails link 30+ cellar doors across Hawke's Bay's wine country, the first stop on the Classic New Zealand…

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Visits

Tractor tours along the beach reach the world's largest mainland gannet colony at this rugged headland, where thousands of birds n…

Te Mata Peak Hikes

Trails ascend this 399m peak for 360-degree views over vineyards, farms, and ocean, with Māori legends tied to its craggy ridges a…

Napier earns its title as New Zealand's Art Deco capital through buildings rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake in striking geometric styles, offering guided walks and vintage car rides that capture the era's glamour.[1][2] The annual February festival amplifies this with thousands dressing in 1930s attire for parades and events.[1][3] ★★★★★ | Summer | Mid-range

Over 200km of flat cycle trails link 30+ cellar doors across Hawke's Bay's wine country, the first stop on the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, ideal for tasting reds and chardonnays amid rolling vineyards.[1][2] Trails weave through easy terrain from Napier to coastal spots.[1] ★★★★★ | Spring/Autumn | Mid-range

Tractor tours along the beach reach the world's largest mainland gannet colony at this rugged headland, where thousands of birds nest from July to March, showcasing dramatic coastal wildlife.[1][2] Access requires low-tide timing for an up-close natural spectacle.[2] ★★★★★ | Spring/Summer | Mid-range

Trails ascend this 399m peak for 360-degree views over vineyards, farms, and ocean, with Māori legends tied to its craggy ridges and diverse paths for all levels.[1][2] Sunset hikes reveal the region's patchwork landscape.[2] ★★★★☆ | Year-round | Budget

Hawke's Bay produces world-class chardonnays from its warm climate and limestone soils, with tastings at boutique wineries highlighting crisp, oak-aged styles unique to the region.[1][5] Pair with local cheeses for an authentic sip.[2] ★★★★★ | Autumn | Mid-range

Hastings, the foodie hub, surrounds fertile orchards and farms yielding stone fruits, vegetables, and artisan cheeses, with trails connecting producers for farm-fresh tastings.[2][3] Winter and summer Food & Wine Classics elevate the scene.[4] ★★★★☆ | Summer | Mid-range

Sites like Lake Waikaremoana offer immersion in Te Matau-a-Māui traditions, with guided tours sharing stories of the land's formation and ancestral connections.[3][4] Tracks blend culture with one of New Zealand's Great Walks.[1] ★★★★☆ | Year-round | Mid-range

Cruise Napier's boulevards in restored 1930s vehicles, evoking the post-earthquake rebuild, with narrated tours hitting Marine Parade and hidden Deco gems.[1][2] Peak during the Art Deco Festival.[1] ★★★★☆ | Summer | Luxury

The region's syrah and merlot cabernet blends thrive in its sunny terroir, tasted at innovative wineries pioneering these styles in New Zealand.[1][5] Events like harvest festivals showcase barrel samples.[4] ★★★★☆ | Autumn | Mid-range

New Zealand's national aquarium in Napier features hands-on marine life from Hawke's Bay waters, including kiwi birds and Little Blue Penguins in a Deco-inspired setting.[2][3] Daily encounters highlight local ecosystems.[2] ★★★★☆ | Year-round | Mid-range

Paths hug white-sand beaches and oceanfront villages, linking surf spots and rock pools in protected marine areas unique to the bay's curve.[2][3] Reliable waves draw surfers year-round.[3] ★★★★☆ | Spring/Summer | Budget

This multi-day track circles a remote lake in the Urewera ranges, one of New Zealand's nine Great Walks, with waterfalls and birdlife defining inland Hawke's Bay.[1][3] Huts book in advance.[1] ★★★★☆ | Summer | Mid-range

Summer harvests in Central Hawke's Bay let visitors pick apples, pears, and cherries from historic orchards, tying into the region's "land of plenty" bounty.[3][4] Spring Fling events preview the season.[3] ★★★☆☆ | Summer | Budget

Consistent waves on white-sand strands make Hawke's Bay a top NZ surf spot, with breaks for all levels and boat launches for deeper waters.[3][2] Protected coasts ensure reliable conditions.[3] ★★★☆☆ | Spring/Autumn | Budget

February's week-long event fills Napier with 1930s dances, markets, and aerial displays, transforming the city into a living Deco museum.[1][3] Costumes and workshops immerse attendees.[1] ★★★★★ | Summer | Mid-range

Local makers in Hastings pair award-winning cheeses with regional wines, born from fertile plains and a culinary scene rivaling top food destinations.[2][3] Festivals feature pop-ups.[4] ★★★★☆ | Winter/Summer | Mid-range

Tide pools along protected coasts reveal Hawke's Bay's marine biodiversity, with shallow swims uncovering sea stars and kelp forests unique to the bay.[3][2] Family-friendly at low tide.[2] ★★★☆☆ | Summer | Budget

This countryside collection of antique dolls and toys captures Hawke's Bay's nostalgic charm, set amid gardens reachable by cycleway from Havelock North.[7] Hands-on for families.[7] ★★★☆☆ | Year-round | Budget

Hawke's Bay's largest hands-on science museum sparks invention with Victorian tech demos, tying into the region's innovative post-earthquake spirit.[7] Interactive for all ages.[7] ★★★☆☆ | Year-round | Budget

Links like Cape Kidnappers overlook gannet colonies and cliffs, ranking among global elites with ocean holes defining Hawke's Bay's rugged luxury play.[3][5] Tee times book early.[3] ★★★★☆ | Spring/Autumn | Luxury

Central Hawke's Bay sheep stations and colonial homes reveal pioneering life, with Spring Fling events opening gardens and stories of the 1931 quake's inland impacts.[3][4] ★★★☆☆ | Spring | Mid-range

Lakes in Central Hawke's Bay host high-speed wake sessions on cables, a modern adrenaline twist on the region's watersports scene.[3] Lessons for beginners.[3] ★★★☆☆ | Summer | Mid-range

Napier's seaside boulevard mixes Deco facades, parks, and ocean views, perfect for photographing the quake-rebuilt waterfront vibe.[2][7] Antiques shops add flair.[2] ★★★☆☆ | Year-round | Budget

Multi-weekend festivals pair Hawke's Bay produce with wines in cozy settings, drawing international crowds to Hastings' farm-fresh tables.[4] Summer edition spans ten days.[4] ★★★★☆ | Winter | Mid-range

Rumble along Clifton Beach to Cape Kidnappers for gannets and seals, a bumpy ride revealing the bay's wild coastline inaccessible by car.[2][1] Tide-dependent adventure.[2] ★★★★☆ | Spring/Summer | Mid-range

Official guide details wine trails, Art Deco festivals, and gannet colonie