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

TOP SIGHTS – ADVENTURES

• 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.

TOP SIGHTS – ART, CULTURE

• Art Deco Napier buildings from the National Tobacco Co (smoking profits created the glorious curved lines) to Napier’s Masonic Hotel
• Hastings and Faraday Technology Centre
• Napier Prison where spooky scary stories about hanging and misdeeds is memorised in your personalised ID shot of you in tasteful prison grab complete with fingerprints

TOP SIGHTS – OUTDOORS

• 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 & PARKS 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

TOP SIGHTS – FOOD & DRINK

• Hawke’s Bay visitor slogan says it all, “Food & Wine Country.” Definitely do not worry about calories, you are on holiday and an exciting menu awaits visitors. Bit into harvested Te Mata figs, sip Mission Estate wines and savour fresh peaches from a roadside stall
• Craft breweries, cideries and even a distillery ensure everyone is catered for
• Sweet foodie treats are not forgotten with several world class chocolate manufacturers, french pastries and their own iconic ice cream parlour, Rush Munro.

WHERE IS THE HAWKE’S BAY?

Hawke’s Bay region is a contrast between fertile orchards, vineyards to mountainous ranges covered in primeval 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 either figs or olives on your platter. The Hawke Bay is a curve of the Pacific Ocean meeting land from Mahia Peninsula to Cape Kidnappers.

MAHIA PENINSULA – HAWKE’S BAY

Officially part of the Hawke’s Bay region you can feel as though you are in the East Cape and Gisborne region. However that is not the case. Dramatic whitened limestone sculptured cliffs rise up from ocean surf beaches. Mahia is primarily a holiday destination for North Island locals who enjoy a classic summer beach vibe without the distractions of a resort or spas. For the surfing crowd it is a mecca with constant surf and drawcards. The impact of the stark cliffs, sandy beaches and remote setting is memorising. Explore the Maungawhio Lagoon, climb the buffs to obtain great views and take in the sunset at Mahia Beach with wrapped fish n chips as the perfect accompaniment. Mahia now has another claim to fame as the original home for Rocket Lab. Mahia now shoots for the stars with this innovative kiwi company. For more ideas check out Mahia Peninsula trip guide, activities, what to see & do: Best Bits.

WAIROA – HAWKE’S BAY

Northern Hawke’s Bay is a town with a reputation for gangs. There is a delightful river walk, a cute repurposed lighthouse now a tourist attraction primarily for selfies and several shops famous for the kiwi meat pies. The town is undergoing a resurgence and has several notable buildings supported by passionate local volunteers including the Gaiety Cinema and Theatre. For more information here are 5 things to do in Wairoa, trip activities: travel guide by Best Bits.

• Lake Tutira is an interesting bird sanctuary and definitely on any birdwatchers bucket list with a bird sanctuary that 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 the Hawke’s Bay are close by

TIP

For BELL ROCK walking track and other great walks check out WALKS – NORTH HAWKE’S BAY.

NAPIER – HAWKE’S BAY

The glamorous queen of art deco Napier is the regional centre of the Hawke’s Bay. Napier is a city with a personality. Bustling, busy Napier, the regional centre of the Hawke’s Bay has its own distinctive character forged from the port, the earthquake and surrounding hills. Napier is separated from Hastings by fertile plains, orchards, vineyards and dairy pastures. Napier has a streak of independence from its neighbours and is justifiably proud of its pastel glory and its role as the oldest settled town in the Bay.

TOP SIGHTS IN NAPIER

• 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 own traffic lights and roundabout. The parade has 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 and provide a home for endangered Little Blue Penguins is 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 where a flapper dress or natty suit is a great prop for a photo moment

• MASONIC HOTEL on the waterfront is a star of the accommodation and entertainment scene with its chops going back to the 1930’s. Luxury by the beach doesn’t come any better than a historic hotel revamped and going gorgeous
• NAPIER URBAN FARMERS MARKET, foodie treats galore
• NAPIER PRISON were hard labour started with building the prison walls and the hanging yard
• SEAWALLS mural, street art trail with sustainability a core part of the art’s message
• AHURIRI boardwalk and rejuvenated warehouses into trendy cafes, eateries and galleries
• Find a stunning marine masterpiece, an ocean going WAKA (double-hulled polynesian seafaring vessel) in Ahuriri. Check WAKA SAILING for details.

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 1930’s 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. It 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

• Eighteen pou (Maori carved sculptures) gracing the city centre narrating the story of local iwi (tribes)
• Rush Munro ice cream shop, a local institution
• Food scene from a transported French baker providing light crisp French baked goods to an urban distillery and cafes, check out What’s so great about Hastings for further melt in the mouth moments.
• Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market is a stalwart for foodie lovers every weekend
• Over 70 wineries and craft breweries within biking distance of the town centre
• SPLASH PLANET waterworld for kids with hydroslides, water fountains, managed by the local council

HAVELOCK NORTH

For visitors the mix of vineyard courtyards, boutique artisan stores and proximity to the outdoors creates another choice where to stay while exploring the 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

Warm dry summers, yummy food offerings at the local markets are the ideal combo for a few days or several at the beach. Water sports in the Hawke’s Bay is one of the most popular summer activities from swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, and boating. Locals, largely from the North Island, throng to camping grounds with their beachfront locations during the school holiday summer season from December through to the beginning of February. For a list of Camping Grounds in the Hawke’s Bay  check out whether you want a powered or unpowered site or the comfort of a standard ensuite motel style unit. Forward bookings are essential in the busy summer months.

Surf at Mahia, paddle at Ahuriri estuary, surfcast from Waipatiki beach or explore a coastal reserve. Hawke’s Bay beaches are ‘like no other,’ places definitely inviting further exploration. For a detailed description of Beaches Hawke’s Bay to locate the top spots to throw down your beach towel.

WATER QUALITY

Swimming Water Quality in Hawke’s Bay. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council monitors 35 swimming spots in Hawke’s Bay. These swimming spots include 20 coastal beaches and 15 rivers. Monitoring season in Hawke’s Bay is from November 4 to March 31, and monitored sites are sampled weekly.

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. In the northern part of Hawke’s Bay is Lake Waikaremoana, the region’s largest lake. The remote wilderness forests of Lake Waikaremoana are currently largely closed due to ongoing discussions between the various stakeholders on best management practices.

OUTDOORS

A balmy climate creates a year round comfortable outdoors setting for walks, beach fossicking and exploration of native reserves and parks. For more details check out Walks Central Hawke’s Bay & Walks North Hawke’s Bay.  There is OTATARA PA, the largest archaeological pre-European Maori fortified village site to explore with its strategic position very evident as you survey the surrounding countryside. Waterfalls have the choice of Maraetotara waterfalls nearby Havelock North or the stunning SHINE waterfalls in the northern Hawke’s Bay to explore. Central Hawke’s Bay has a lesser known shared cycle / walking trail Tukituki which finds a disused water tunnel, swimming holes and native reserves.

TOP SIGHTS

• CAPE KIDNAPPERS GANNETS – November through to march. The largest accessible mainland colony of gannets in the world
• OTATARA PA heritage pa (village) archeological site for its views, historic value and setting
• MARAETOTARA FALLS, a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors in the know
• PEKAPEKA WETLANDS with its seasonal / migrating bird life
• TUKI TUKI SHARED WALKING / CYCLE TRAIL in Central Hawke’s Bay, Waipukurau
• BLOWHARD BUSH RESERVE 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

TIPS

After autumn foliage colour? Visit Trelinnoe Garden

Adore roses? Napier public gardens are the places to be

Enjoy garden festivals? Spring blooms visit Tikokino District Garden Tour

Love spring daffodils? Plenty of daffodils at the Central Hawke’s Bay Garden Trail is a part of Spring Fling,September and October

What to find the latest gardening tool? Visit Hawkes Bay Home & Garden Show

Enjoy a garden tour with pop up food stalls? Visit Foodscapes Open Garden Trail Waipawa

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 conjuring up green spaces and 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

Hawke’s Bay is “food and wine” country and it’s now the official slogan. Hawke’s Bay is the premium food producer in New Zealand. Hawke’s Bay is the oldest wine region in the country. The premium export led agricultural sector surplus can be found at grower’s roadside stalls. Weekend markets are another venue for sourcing freshly harvested produce. The balmy climate leads to innovative products such as figs. Napier has cutting edge restaurants such as Pacifica, Napier experimenting with native ingredients as part of the flavour palate. The Hawke’s Bay is a heavyweight in artisan goodies. Think about a French baker who calls Hastings home or exquisite handcrafted chocolates found in both Hastings and Napier.

Food, artisan shops, places to go are discussed together with an Extended Weekend Road Trip exploring the byways and food culture of the Hawke’s Bay. There is a Day trip from Napier to Havelock North where with a bit of exercise on a bike you can cycle your way around vineyards and food outlets.

RAINY DAYS

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. The 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.

TOP SIGHTS FOR KIDS

• CAPE KIDNAPPERS GANNET TOUR – with kids don’t walk the beach, you are dependent on the tides and it is a considerable distance from the carpark. Gannet Safari tours follow a route through farmland and the hills to the Cape with an informative commentary to keep kids entertained.
• CLIFTON STATION WOOL WORLD. Watch demonstrations of sheep dogs in action rounding up the sheep and sheep shearing as well as an entertaining description of the history of wool in the Hawkes Bay while on benches inside a big original 1890’s wool shed. There are farm animals and vintage farm equipment to pore over.

• 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 about how honey gets its flavour from New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna.
• Visit a very unusual shop / museum OPOSSUM WORLD. Possums are classified as a kiwi pest 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 in the bush and taxidermied possums standing to attention as the story of their damage is told.

Note THERE ARE TAXIDERMIED POSSUMS WHICH COULD UPSET SOME KIDS. Opossum world is part of our Odd, Unusual and Fascinating things to do in the Hawke’s  Bay to check out.

• Find out with the kids about traditional star navigation. ATEA A RANGI – WAITANGI ESTUARY STAR COMPASS, the traditional navigation tool, for east polynesians voyaging the Pacific Ocean was the alignment of the stars. The star compass is a training tool used by celestial navigators who sailed traditionally throughout the Pacific. The rising and setting points of the celestial bodies are memorised by using the carved Pou (Posts) and the Horizon.For tours of the site, please contact the Ātea a Rangi Educational Trust, who were responsible for the design, carving and completion of the star compass.

SHINE WATERFALLS

This popular track 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 m. Kakabeak grows on the cliffs creating a beautiful spring display of yellow follows. The falls are surrounded by native trees from the woody kanuka, kawakawa, kowhai and titoki. 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. source: Boundary stream walks, Hawke’s Bay.

BELL ROCK

Bell Rock’s extraordinary limestone formations are instagram favourites and the actual weathered outcrop ‘Bell Rock’ is the resident rockstar of the outcrop. Breathtaking views over Hawke’s Bay. Bell Rock is a top pick due to its views and the extraordinary rock formations leading up to the lookout. It is a hike up to the viewpoint, for details of getting to Bell Rock and the walking conditions, check out Walks – Northern Hawke’s. The exposed lookout is known for its wind and there is no water nearby consequently carry adequate supplies.

GUTHRIE-SMITH ARBORETUM (TUTIRA) – TRENDING

As described in Walks – Northern Hawke’s Bay entry is free. There are over 90 hectares of walking tracks threading their way 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 between October to May and check beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Central Hawke’s Bay walks include:

• TE MATA peak is another iconic local walk. There is the added bonus of proximity to the glorious cafe scene of nearby Havelock North. Te Mata Peak is the place to go for 360° views of Hawke’s Bay. Visitors can see Napier and Mahia Peninsula to the north and east, hill country to the south and east, and the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges beyond the fertile Heretaunga Plains. Mount Ruapehu is often visible in the distance.
• Maraetotara Historic walk to the swimming hole and waterfall. The falls are instagram favourites with a hashtag #maraetotarafalls. Very popular short walk suitable for all age groups and interests. Find the former Havelock North Power Station in its pretty setting.
• Bird watchers don’t miss out with Pekapeka wetlands boardwalk

CYCLE THE HAWKE’S BAY

Over 200 km network of cycling trails offers short city easy half day explorations to multiple day hilly puffing climbs. 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, Havelock North and small settlements. The trails meander through vineyards, pass beaches and along 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.

The Tuki Tuki trail is a network of trails for walkers and bikers, situated in Central Hawkes Bay between the townships of Waipukurau & Waipawa. It offers a wide variety of trails and tracks along the beautiful Tuki Tuki river

Cycle your way through the weekend with Takaro Trails Tours operating self-guided cycle tours, mountain biking packages and bike hire from their Ahuriri base. Tours range in duration from a few hours to several days.  Arrange with Takaro Trails to deposit e-bikes or manual bikes at the East Pier hotel for your weekend use.

Takaro allows visitors to explore the Hawke’s Bay Trails at their own pace. Choose from the following self-guided day tours along easy, flat cycle pathways to world class wineries or just ride to relax and enjoy the amazing Hawke’s Bay outdoors. Takaro offers pick-ups from accommodation and will collect weary cyclists from pre-arranged locations.

TIP

Check out Discover our region Hawke’s Bay for up to date information about happenings and changes to routes. For ease while on the route, download the cycle trail app. Remember always for areas where wifi is an issue download specific routes offline to ensure you’ve got it all sorted.

Thematic rides include:

• The Water Ride
• 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
• The Tuki Tuki Loop – Landscapes Ride

ART DECO WEEKEND

The late summer festival is a premier New Zealand event drawing visitors from all over with accommodation providers fully booked for weeks ahead.

WINE FESTIVALS  AND EVENTS

Throughout the year there are concerts in vineyards such as Mission Estate. Hastings is venue for a number of festivals

• BRIDGE PA FESTIVAL celebrates Gimblett Gravels vineyards award winning wines, food producers and artisan arty crafty creators
• NEST FEST one of New Zealand’s very best indie festivals
• Hastings blossom festival (spring)
• Hawkes Bay A&P Showgrounds in Hastings is the home to the annual NZ Horse of the Year show (March)

MAORI TOURS

Hawke’s Bay Tours | Waimarama Maori Tours | New Zealand Tours, “Experience real New Zealand Maori culture with a unique insight into a day in the life of a Maori elder. Kaumatua are the elders in Maori society, and are respected for their knowledge of tribal history and traditions. They are the keepers of the accumulated history of the tribe … read more NAPIER CITY GUIDE

Premium accommodation Napier

Masonic Art Deco Hotel Napier, lush elegant furnishings reminiscent of the roaring 1930’s 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 a number of 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 popular couples destination for short escapes or time out from the bustle of daily life.

Domestic Airport

Napier is the home of Hawke’s Bay regional airport 8 km north of the city centre. There are regular domestic flights from major New Zealand centres. There is a shuttle service from the airport.

Intercity Bus

Arrives and departs from Clive Square bus depot with connections to Hastings.

Local buses

GoBay bus service connections between Hastings and Havelock North run several times a day. Local buses are fitted with bike racks.

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.