Things to do in the Hawke’s Bay Attractions, Activities & Places to Visit

• Gannets, beautiful, striking ocean birds in one truly massive nesting site. Situated on a dramatic clifftop. The perfect place for launching out to sea for parents who fly
• Cycling and coastal biking trails past wineries, vineyards and orchards with tempting roadside stalls.
• Waka (outrigger ocean-going Maori canoes) adventures where the stars navigate the way home.

• Te Mata Peak (Havelock North), the craggy austere soaring sweep of peaks, overlooks the fertile Heretaunga Plains and beyond.
• Bells Rock, extraordinary limestone rock formations with accompanying spectacular views.
• Lush Gardens & Park benefiting from a temperate climate from the outstanding Trelinnoe Arboretum. Napier’s Centennial Gardens with its own waterfalls to Tikokino garden festival with its lush peonies, herbaceous borders and mature trees to linger in.
• Te Araroa Trail, this multi-day walking trail celebrates the land’s history and culture. It has been developed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities.
• Beaches, the East Coast is renowned for its stunning beaches and seascapes. Includes Bay on Lake Taupo with its black sand beach the golden sands.

What is Hawkes Bay Famous for?

Hawke’s Bay region is a contrast between fertile orchards and vineyards to mountainous ranges covered in primaeval forests and ocean beaches. The area is summed up as food & wine country with a dash of art deco elegance.

Hawke’s Bay is often viewed through a ruby-rich drop of wine with figs or olives on your platter. Hawke’s Bay is a curve of the Pacific Ocean meeting land from Mahia Peninsula to Cape Kidnappers.

• Cape Kidnappers Gannets – November through to March. The largest accessible mainland colony of gannets in the world.
• Otatara Pa heritage pa (village) archaeological site for its views, historical value and setting.
• Maraetotara Falls is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors in the know.
• Pekapeka Wetlands with its seasonal/migrating bird life.
• Tuki Tuki Shared Walking/Cycling Trail in Central Hawke’s Bay, Waipukurau.
• Blowhard Bush Reserve is known for its karst-like caves, scenery and wildlife.
• Bell Rock limestone wind sculptured rock pinnacle lookout point.
• Shine Falls, a horsetail waterfall dropping 58 metres.

Top Sights

• Roses in formal public gardens and parks, in private gardens.
• Trelinnoe Arboretum and Garden is a glorious respite on the Napier/Taupo highway.
• English style bedding style nestled among art deco beauties on the Marine Parade.
• Gardens, parks, orchards and vineyards conjure green spaces and a sense of countryside throughout Hawke’s Bay.
• Hawke’s Bay annual garden festivals with a chance to peek into beautiful private lush places full of brimming blooms.
• Tikokino garden festival with its lush peonies, herbaceous borders and mature trees to linger.
• Weleda’s biodynamic garden principles and the adjoining factory shop.

Napier is family-friendly, with Napier Prison promoting tours focused on the child (not too scary) and making sure the kids have a good time. Then there is the Faraday Technology Centre, where kids can jump into the driving seat and pull levers.

Napier National Aquarium has a hand-feeding session with penguins, little penguins and little people interacting and learning about each other. And swimming in the rain is a good idea when you have the Ocean Spa swimming complex next door to the Aquarium.

• Kids will enjoy the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre and dressing up as a beekeeper and get to view the world through the eyes of a bee. There is a gift shop and cafe with honey-flavoured ice cream. Kids can learn how honey gets its flavour from New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.
• Visit a very unusual shop/museum at Opossum World. Possums are classified as kiwi pests due to their propensity to devour native birds and strip endangered plants of their leaves. The museum pays homage to the national pest with possum fur collectables, stories about the rampaging possums and taxidermied possums standing to attention as the story of their damage are told.

Shine Waterfalls is a popular track that is great for all age groups. The track’s initial path passes farmland and patches of mixed lowland forest before emerging at the base of the stunning Shine Falls. The horsetail waterfall is the highest waterfall in Hawke’s Bay at 58 meters. Kaka beak grows on the cliffs creating a beautiful spring display of yellow follows.

Shine falls are surrounded by native trees from the woody kanuka, kawakawa, kowhai and tiki. Pack a picnic lunch and look for tuna/eels living in the stream at the base of the falls. There are no toilets at the carpark or on the walk.

Guthrie-Smith Arboretum (Tutira)

Entry to Guthrie-Smith Arboretum is free. Over 90 hectares of walking tracks thread through geographical regions marked by native trees from each area.

The woodlands are full of birds and native wildlife. Picnic spots galore and plenty of space to gulp fresh air. Relax and absorb the gorgeous scenery or take a walk and explore the arboretum.

The arboretum is open from October to May. We recommend checking the timings beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Over 200 km of cycling trails offer short, leisurely half-day explorations and multiple hilly puffing climb. Dedicated cycle trails are wrapped around Napier, Hasting and follow the coast. You can pick a landscape and watery theme or food and wine themes for your route. Check the travel pack section for a route map for inspiration.

Shared pathways link Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North and small settlements. The trails meander through vineyards, past beaches and rivers, with cafes tempting bikers and walkers to rest and revive.

The roadside stalls operating with honesty boxes invite bikers to grab a luscious peach or apple while enjoying magnificent mountains, coastal lookouts, wetlands, orchards and vineyards. The balmy climate creates a year-round ideal cycling environment.

Thematic Rides

Thematic rides include:

• Puketapu Loop – Water Ride
• Marine Parade Explorer – Water Ride
• The Wineries Ride
• Cape Coast – Clive to Clifton – Landscapes Ride
• Havelock North to Clive – Landscapes Ride
• Tuki Tuki Loop – Landscapes Ride

• Marine Parade is an elegant seaside avenue of Norfolk pines framing the road and the sea on the other side. The Parade is composed of Sunken Gardens, a quiet retreat from the bustle of the adventure playground for kids with its traffic lights and roundabout. The Parade has a Pania of the Reef sculpture as a focal point for selfies and a pretty art deco Soundshell pavilion for concerts.
• National Aquarium, located on the edge of the Marine Parade, deftly uses seawater to flush water through its massive seaquarium. It provides a home for endangered Little Blue Penguins, a must-go destination for families.
• MTG Hawke’s Bay is a museum, theatre and gallery rolled into one gleaming cultural centre.
• Daily Telegraph building & National Tobacco building are sure-fire art deco glories. Wear a flapper dress or chic suit is an excellent prop for a photo moment.

Hastings

Reimagined and rejuvenated Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre is the showpiece for Hastings. The 1905 heritage gem is now a glorious example of what can be done to reinvent a drab town centre.

The grafted modern centre works wonderfully, creating a seamless flow from the exterior to the funky Oscar Wilde 1930s roaring style. While classy Napier is a magnet for visitors, Hastings is a quiet achiever with local sights worthy of a night or several in the town.

Hastings is also the ideal base for exploring the wider Hawke’s Bay. Food buffs will not miss out on treats with Hastings rivalling Napier in the cuisine stakes.

Top Sights in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay

• Te Mata Peak, a hill rich in pre-European history, offers magnificent views of the countryside. You can even ‘cheat’ and not really climb with a road, almost getting to the highest lookout point.
• Country village shopping at its best.
• Havelock North handmade market for crafty creations

Here is a complete guide on Things to do in Havelock North.

Te Awanga

On Napier’s south coast is the little beachside settlement of Te Awanga. Located near Cape Kidnapper, a well-known gannet colony. Shops, cafes, and wineries are all around the town.

Te Awanga also has a well-liked Farmyard Petting Zoo that attracts visitors of all ages. Fishing, swimming, surfing, and boating are popular activities.

The town’s lodging options are fairly restricted, but Te Awanga is a beautiful spot to stop for a picnic, a swim, or a surf.

Waipukurau and Waipawa

Waipukurau and Waipawa are two of the larger towns in Hawke’s Bay. They are only 6 km apart and are connected by State Highway 2. The Tukituki trail’s natural paths and gliding above in the stillness of vast open areas are among the visitor experiences.

A reflective space in the Forest of Memories is a wonderful location for guests to experience an arboretum honouring locals’ lives.

• The trestled Mohaka Viaduct at 97 metres is awe-inspiring. Simply pull over and gape at the railway crossing.
• Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve is a large conservation area with various loop walking trails, including the extraordinary Bell Rock formations. One of the more popular walks is worth the stiff climb up to the stunning views of the mountain ranges and glimpses of the ocean.
• Lake Tutira is an exciting bird sanctuary and definitely on any birdwatcher’s bucket list with a bird sanctuary. The bird sanctuary is home to scaup, black swans, grey ducks, shags, herons, fantails and pukeko.
• Waipatiki beach is beautiful with its historic pre-European walking tracks, a surf beach and classic campgrounds.
• Nearby are White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve and Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve offering visitors the joy of walking among giant tree ferns and native orchids.
• Napier rolls into view with the Esk River vineyards heralding the fertile plains of Hawke’s Bay are close by.

Water Quality

The water quality in Hawke’s Bay is generally good, and the beaches are largely safe for swimming. Hawke’s Bay features five major rivers that all lead to the sea: the Wairoa River, Mohaka River, Tutaekuri River, Ngaruroro River, and Tukituki River.

The swimming water quality in Hawke’s Bay is monitored by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council. It monitors 35 swimming spots in Hawke’s Bay, including 20 coastal beaches and 15 rivers. The monitoring season in Hawke’s Bay is from November 4 to March 31, and monitored sites are sampled weekly.

Click here to check out the water quality in Hawke’s Bay.

Experience authentic New Zealand Maori culture with a unique insight into a day in the life of a Maori elder at Waimārama Māori Tours. You will learn about the local Hawke’s Bay area and its history from a Māori perspective. Tour includes ancient pa sites, Māori villages and a large collection of Māori carved meeting houses in Hawke’s Bay.

Luxury Accommodation Hawkes Bay – Napier

Masonic Art Deco Hotel Napier has lush, elegant furnishings reminiscent of the roaring 1930s with glorious balcony views of the harbour, the Parade and Norfolk pines. The award-winning restaurant means fine dining is at your beck and call. There is plenty of choice for nightlife and dining options within walking distance of the hotel.

Hastings is a great choice for families with its budget-friendly motels, camping grounds and proximity to family-focused attractions such as Splash Planet. There are several cafes, bakeries and supermarkets, making family catering a breeze.

Havelock North, with its upmarket shopping, weekend markets, and access to Te Mata peak walks and vineyards, is a famous couple’s destination for short escapes or time out from the bustle of daily life.

Boundaries – Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is a long tract of land, bound by mountain ranges to the west and North, coast to the east, and the similar landscape of Wairarapa to the south. The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council covers the Wairoa, Hastings and Central Hawke’s Bay districts and Napier city.

The area from Woodville, near the Manawatū Gorge, to Norsewood is now officially part of the Tararua district. However, it has strong historical links with the rest of the region and is commonly seen as southern Hawke’s Bay.

From Hawke’s Bay region.