Hastings

The Hastings district is famed for its produce, traditional farmers markets and some of New Zealand's finest wineries.

The Hastings district covers a large and dramatically diverse scenic area from Cape Kidnappers to Te Mata Peak and across the Heretaunga Plains.

The districts mild winters and long hot summers provide the perfect climate and growing conditions for a wide variety of horticulture. Often referred to as the fruit bowl of Hawke's Bay the district abounds in orchards and market gardens offering fresh produce at the roadside, and wineries offering wine tastings, as well as relaxed restuarant dining.

Download Hawke's Bay Winery Guide

Following the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake many Hastings buildings were rebuilt in the Art Deco and Spanish Mission-style architectures.

Throughout the year the Hawke's Bay Opera House and Exhibition Centre hosts a diverse range of concerts, performances, artists, cultural festivals, conferences and other fun events. A number of impressive sculptures are on public display around the central city, and the inner city square hosts lunchtime concerts, fairs and other events.

The Blossom Festival and parade held in September heralds the start of spring each year.

Hastings is also home to:

• Farmers Market
  8am to 12 noon every Sunday morning at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional village market where you can talk to the grower or producer and taste some of their produce ranging from hand made cheeses, breads and ice cream to seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables and gourmet meat. Highly recommended!

• Splash Planet
  New Zealand's only water-based theme park. Open in summer, and located in more than 6 hectares of sub-tropical gardens, the park is a whole day's fun for thrill seekers and families, with a choice of rides and attractions.

• Rush Munro's
  Grab an ice cream from a local icon. Simply the best ice cream!

• Gardens
  Take a leisurely stroll through the spectacular gardens of Frimley or Cornwall Park.

A short distance from Hastings you'll discover:

• Oak Avenue
  Take a drive down the historic Oak Avenue, planted in the 1860's as a driveway to one of Hasting's original homesteads.

• Cycle/Walkways
  Get off the beaten track with more than 130kms of cycleways you can see everything from mountainous lookouts and beautiful lowland rivers to endangered wetland wildlife and sweeping coastlines. Download a cycleway map.

• Cape Kidnappers
  Spectacular landscape scenery includes the home to the world's largest mainland Gannet colony and one of the world's top 50 golf courses.

• Pekapeka Wetlands
  The Pekapeka wetlands which covers 98 hectares, runs alongside SH2 south of Hastings, and is one of the few remaining large inland wetlands which is being restored as a sanctuary for wildlife and to increase the biodiversity that resides in and around the wetland, and provide information on the history and the importance of wetlands for our ecological health. More information >>

For more information just ask our reception or reservations team.

Experience something new each day...