Hawke's Bay travel tips
The best Hawke's Bay highlights, best walks and best lookouts: from the beautiful Art Deco architecture of Napier to plenty of vineyards and the Gisborne surf beaches - our best travel tips for the New Zealand Hawke's Bay region!
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Hawke's Bay travel tips
Instead of driving the Desert Road twice take a detour via Napier, if Rotorua is your next stop you won't lose much time. - Three of the scenic New Zealand routes join at Hawke’s Bay - the Pacific Coast Highway from the East Cape, the Thermal Explorer Highway from Taupo and the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail from Wairarapa.
- Plan some time for a wine tasting, you're coming into serious wine country here!
- The Art Deco architecture is a pleasurable background for the nice cafes and shops, Napier is a great place for a restful afternoon.
Days of indulgence and Art DecoFor travellers, Hawke’s Bay Wine Country presents an eclectic mix of visual and sensual experiences. The region is New Zealand’s leading producer of red wines, has the greatest concentration of Art Deco architecture and hosts the country’s most elaborate celebrations of Matariki - the Maori New Year. As if that weren’t enough, Hawke’s Bay is also known for its artisan gourmet foods and glorious beaches that stretch from Mahia Peninsula in the north to Porangahau in the south. The landscapes of Hawke’s Bay begin with the high, forested Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges. From the mountains, the land steps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean. The twin cities of Napier and Hastings are the main population centres. Blessed with a sunny, Mediterranean-style climate, Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions.
Wildlife by the sea: Cape Kidnappers nature reserve is home to the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world. Known to Maori as takapu, these birds usually breed on islands. Unusual places: From elegant Art Deco architecture to a settlement with the world’s longest place name, Hawke’s Bay will capture your interest with amazing stories. Learn about the past, both ancient and recent, with a local guide. See here for hotels in the Hawke’s Bay region. Source: Tourism New Zealand
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The agricultural heritage of Hawke’s Bay lives on in the region’s wineries, orchards and artisan food producers. At any time of the year, you can follow food and wine trails to discover exceptional taste sensations.