Hawke's Bay

Welcome to Hawke's Bay Wine Country

Hawke's Bay is renowned for its glorious sunny weather and is a great family destination offering a diverse range of activities and attractions.

For more information go to www.hawkesbaynz.com

Make sure that you put some of these activities and attractions on your list:

Museum, art and culture
Art Deco architecture, festival and tours
Award wining wineries, wine tours and wine tasting
Restaurants, trendy cafes and bars
Food trails and the Sunday Farmers Market
Chocolate factory and museum
Shopping
Golf and mini golf
Cycle touring
Cape Kidnappers and the largest mainland Gannet colony
Te Mata Peak
Beaches, farm visits, garden rambles, regional walks
Early morning hot air ballooning
Fishing guides and charters - Trout and sea fishing
Kayaking
Horse treks
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Marineland
Ocean Spa and aquatic centre
Splash planet and children's playgrounds.

Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Wine Country is New Zealand's leading food and wine region. With over 2200 hours of sunshine, Hawke's Bay is a year-round holiday destination with an eclectic mix of visual and sensory experiences.

The landscapes of Hawke's Bay begins in the high, forested Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges, from the mountains the land sweeps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers, excellent for fishing, run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean and glorious beaches which stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south.

Hawke's Bay is the country's oldest winemaking region and is New Zealand's leading producer of award winning red wines. Hawke's Bay is also home to a world-class concentration of Art Deco architecture, fresh local produce and artisan food producers complemented by a vibrant arts scene and a rich Maori culture. The region also hosts a number of "must see" events throughout the year.

Hawke's Bay is a region of contrasts with a diverse range of things to see and do. For families enjoying the sun, there are golden sand beaches, the Splash Planet water theme park, and crystal clear rivers to explore. Visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand, swim with dolphins or view the largest most accessible mainland Gannet colony in the world.

For the mild to wild adventurer take a jet boat or cycle between wineries. Experience hot air ballooning at sunrise or surfing in Mahia. Paraglide off Te Mata Peak, mountain biking in Eskdale, hike or take a leisurely journey along one of the 17 heritage trails around the region. You can hunt in the ranges, fish for brown and rainbow trout or play golf at one of the 20 local courses.

Whether it is the fresh bud burst of spring, long hot languid days of summer, the golden hues of harvest or crisp air and blue skies of winter, Hawke's Bay Wine Country is waiting to be discovered.

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Napier

Napier is the Art Deco Capital of the world and is one of the most photographed cities in New Zealand.

So it's not surprising that locals and visitors alike can be spotted sporting Art Deco garb. Although this usually occurs in February when Napier celebrates during the Brebner Print Art Deco Weekend, it could in fact happen anytime, especially when 'Bertie' is out and about. Bertie is the face of and ambassador for Art Deco and often pops up during the Art Deco Trust guided walks around the many fine examples of Art Deco architecture. Art Deco revelry is not only confined to summer, newly launched Deco Decanted weekend in June proving very popular.

Napier was redesigned in the Art Deco style after the devastating Hawke's Bay earthquake in 1931. Nowhere else can you see such a variety and concentration of buildings in Art Deco style. The unique style reflects the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the Chicago School in the buildings of local architect Louis Hay with some incorporating Maori culture in their motifs and features. Buildings not to be missed include the National Tobacco Company in Ahuriri, The Daily Telegraph Building, residential homes of Marewa and Taradale's McDonald's McDeco, one of only two Art Deco McDonald's in the world. There are many informative Art Deco tours, most conducted by the Art Deco Trust. Walking tours leave from the Napier i-SITE on Marine Parade every morning at 10am and afternoon tours leave the Art Deco shop in Tennyson Street, next to the Clive Square Gardens at 2pm. Or, if you want to see the sights at your own pace, grab one of several available Art Deco Tour booklets and go exploring. Tours have the option of taking you through downtown Napier, through the suburbs of Marewa and Taradale, on to Hastings and Havelock North.

Whether it is indoor or alfresco dining you want, the cluster of restaurants and bars along West Quay, with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean, serve some of the regions best food and wine.

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Taradale

Taradale, which is a 10 minute drive from Napier's city centre, is over 100 years old and was originally a separate town before merging with Napier in 1968, still retains its own unique atmosphere and identity. Taradale is home to the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) and the Pettigrew Green Arena indoor sporting complex, several world famous wineries including Mission Estate and Church Road, the Art Deco styled McDeco McDonalds, and much more. Behind the EIT campus is the Otatara Reserve, site of a major pre-European Pa. The Mission Estate Concert is an icon event and has attracted some of the biggest names in entertainment. Add to this an amazingly wide range of shops and services, friendly, courteous staff and free parking, and a visit to Taradale "The Centre of it All" is guaranteed to an enjoyable experience.

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Hastings

The long hot summers and mild winters of the Hastings district, provide the perfect stimulant for a wide variety of delicious fresh produce. Orchards are abundant and the climate is also perfect for grape growing.

The local wine industry continues to grow and each February the region celebrates with Harvest Hawke's Bay. Hastings boasts some of the regions 40 or so wineries where wine tasting, as well as restaurant or picnic dining, can be enjoyed.

Hastings is a showcase of Spanish Mission-style architecture and enjoys a diverse range of cultural attractions including the Hawke's Bay Exhibition Centre. September heralds spring and the start of the Hastings Blossom Festival, full of concerts, celebrity artist performances and fun events.

Hastings' vibrant inner city square is regularly used for community performances, fairs and events, and the central city is home to an impressive display of public art works.

Grab an ice cream from local icon, Rush Munro's and take a leisurely stroll through the spectacular gardens of Frimley or Cornwall Park or drive down Oak Avenue with its Oak tree-lined canopy planted in the 1860s.

Got kids? Then hit Hawke's Bay's Splash Planet, with its exciting and action-packed water slides and rides.

Also not to be missed is the Hawke's Bay Farmers Markets in Napier on Tennyson Street every Saturday morning and at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds every Sunday morning in Hastings. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional village market where you can talk to the grower or producer and taste some of their products ranging from hand made cheeses, breads and ice cream to seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables and gourmet meat.

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Havelock North

Havelock North is dubbed the heart of Hawke's Bay Wine Country and is surrounded by many of New Zealand's top wineries including Te Mata Estate and new comer Craggy Range.

Havelock North (five minutes east of Hastings) has grown rapidly over recent years but has retained its 'village' feel. On any warm spring or summer Saturday morning you can collect your fresh food delights from the Village Growers Market held at Black Barn Vineyards. Afterwards wander back into the Village where the cafe culture is alive and kicking, as is the art scene with several galleries and studios.

A feature looming above the hills of Havelock North is Te Mata Peak, which rises 399 majestic metres above sea level. The peak dominates the fertile plains and provides panoramic views across to Mahia, the ski slopes of Mt Ruapehu and out towards the Ruahine Ranges. Te Mata Peak is easily accessible and offers well graded walking tracks, exhilarating MTB tracks and casual and fine dining at the Peak Restaurant.

While in Havelock North make a bee line to Arataki Honey where you can watch thousands of bees making honey at the largest honey producer in the southern hemisphere.

Havelock North village is also a hive of activity on any Friday and Saturday night with bars and restaurants all within easy walking distance of each other.

Havelock North has many impressive old residential homes including Duart House while Keirunga Gardens is also a highlight with its miniature railway and train. The village is also home to three elite boarding schools, Hereworth School, Iona College and Woodford House.

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