Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is a premium food and wine region, renowned for its fresh produce, earning its reputation as the fruit bowl of New Zealand.

Hawke's Bay is renowned for its maritime climate with long hot summers and mild winters, with annual sunshine hours averaging over 2200 hours each year. It is a great year-round and family holiday destination offering a wide range of experiences.

A region of contrasting landscapes - beginning high in the rugged Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges the land sweeps down across the fertile Heretaunga Plains to the coast. Wide rivers cut across the region providing some of New Zealand's best trout fishing. Stunning beaches stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south.

Hawke's Bay is the oldest winemaking region in New Zealand and has been producing fine wines for over 100 years. It has over 80 per cent of the country's plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes and an established reputation for superior red wines. The warm maritime climate and varying landscapes also produce New Zealand's richest and most complex Chardonnays. The region has over 150 vineyards and more than 90 wineries, 35 of which open their cellar doors to visitors.

Download Hawke's Bay Winery guide.

The region is deep in Maori history and rich in culture, complemented by a vibrant arts scene, and world class Art Deco and Spanish Mission architecture.

A visit to Hawke's Bay is not complete without visiting the Farmers Market to sample fresh local produce and to chat with the growers and producers.

Throughout the year Hawke's Bay hosts a wide range of "must see and do" events, like the Art Deco Festival, Mission Concert, Horse of the Year, and many others.

A region of contrasts, Hawke's Bay has a diverse range of things to see and do from the mild to the wild.

Make sure that you put some of these things on your list to do:

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 Farmers Markets
Chocolate factory and museum
Shopping
Play golf at one of the 20 local courses or enjoy a game of mini golf with the family
Explore the regions extensive network of cycleways or enjoy a 3 to 5 day cycle tour
Mountain biking at Eskdale or in Pukeora Forest
Cape Kidnappers and the most easily accessible largest mainland Gannet colony
Expansive and stunning views from Te Mata Peak
Paraglide off Te Mata Peak
Farm visits, garden rambles, regional walks
Early morning hot air ballooning
Experience some of New Zealand's best rainbow and brown trout fishing
Fishing guides and charters
Tramping and hunting in the Ruahine and Kaweka ranges
Jet boat the rivers
Kayaking
Golden sand beaches and crystal clear rivers
Surfing
Horse treks and quad biking
Explore one of the 17 heritage trails
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Ocean Spa and aquatic centre
Splash Planet water theme park and children's playgrounds.

No matter what time of the year, whether it's the first buds of spring, the long hot lazy days of summer, the golden colours of autumn or the crisp mornings and clear blue skies of winter, there is always plenty of things just waiting to be discovered in Hawke's Bay Wine Country.