Things to do in Hawke's Bay Region

Activities, attractions and tours

Elephant Hill Winery Estate
Elephant Hill Winery Estate
Cape Kidnappers marks the southern most point of Hawke Bay on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It was named by Captain Cook after the one of his cabin boys was kidnapped by the local Maori in 1769. Cape Kidnappers is home to a colony of Australasian Gannets which nest here over summer. Access to this area is by walking (about 2 hours each way) at low tide only (ie starting to walk 3 hours before low tide), by a tractor and trailer ride along the beach, or by a 4wd bus through the farmland above the beach. This photo is taken just after dawn, after a 2 hour walk in the dark along the beach.
Dawn rises over the city of Napier, with St Paul's Cathedral to the left of shot
Every year in September the Mabin family open their front paddocks to the public to let them explore ( and pick from ) their daffodils. They do this for free and all money raised from the sale of the daffodils goes to the Plunket Society
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Top places to visit

1. Mission Estate Winery

Explore the old cellar at Mission Estate Winery for the chance to learn the secrets behind producing award-winning wines. Enjoy fabulous views while dining on sumptuous meat and seafood at one of the oldest wineries in the country.
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Mission Estate Winery which includes heritage elements

2. Te Mata Peak

Enjoy sweeping views across mountain ranges and the Tukituki River from Te Mata Peak.
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Te Mata Peak showing mountains

3. Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers is a dramatic outcrop of jagged sandstone jutting out into the ocean. Hike along a trail with spectacular rock formations and crystal-clear pools to reach the gannet colony. Enjoy a picnic with a magnificent view or play a round at the world-renowned golf course on the headland.
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Cape Kidnappers showing general coastal views, rocky coastline and a sandy beach

4. Craggy Range

Step inside the Craggy Range cellar for an enthralling insight into how its popular wines are produced. Wander around the vine fields where the grapes grow and sit down for a delicious multicourse meal of local cuisine at the estate’s restaurant.
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Craggy Range showing landscape views and a garden

5. National Aquarium of New Zealand

Admire huge sharks as well as stingrays and octopuses at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. See piranhas gliding around and interact with adorable penguins and kiwi birds.
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National Aquarium of New Zealand which includes marine life

What to do in Hawke's Bay Region

Popular places to visit

Art Deco Weekend!! Art Deco Weekend is a celebration of the rebuilding of Napier after the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake- it celebrates our beautiful city and it's iconic buildings, memorializes the people of the city during the 1930's and makes for a great weekend! The event is planned extremely well, has an incredible amount of era-appropriate events and a magnificent setting. Everybody dresses up - frocks, heels and accessories, bow ties and suspenders... Add vintage car parades, over 200 different events - it's a great weekend!

Marine Parade

4.5/5(27 reviews)

After visiting Marine Parade, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Napier. Amble around this relaxing area's seaside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Marine Parade
Great beaches in this area all sand, and a of choices for swimming as its a peninsula, the odd space rocket gets fired off too :-)

Mahia Beach

5/5(3 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Mahia Beach during your travels in Mahia?

Mahia Beach
Mission Estate Winery

Mission Estate Winery

5/5(11 reviews)

Leave the city behind for a day to experience idyllic countryside surroundings and sip a range of magnificent wines.

Mission Estate Winery
The Sunken Gardens in Napier this was taken on our weekend away in this beautiful city. If you get the chance to visit Napier make sure you do.

Napier Beach

4/5(27 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Napier Beach during your travels in Awatoto?

Napier Beach
Te Mata Peak showing mountains

Te Mata Peak

4.5/5(14 reviews)

Not only a spectacular vantage point, this awesome mountain is also home to several species of rare flora and fauna.

Te Mata Peak
Cape Kidnappers featuring rugged coastline

Cape Kidnappers

3.5/5(7 reviews)

Come within a few feet of one of the planet’s largest mainland gannet colonies. The seabirds nest here on this breathtaking peninsula.

Cape Kidnappers
Craggy Range which includes landscape views and a garden

Craggy Range

5/5(4 reviews)

Set in the shadow of colossal Te Mata Peak, this vineyard brings together a quality fine wine experience and exceptional scenery.

Craggy Range
National Aquarium of New Zealand which includes marine life

National Aquarium of New Zealand

4/5(6 reviews)

The tanks at this modern aquarium play host to all kinds of underwater life, from cute sea creatures to fearsome marine predators.

National Aquarium of New Zealand
Church Road Winery

Church Road Winery

4.5/5(7 reviews)

Delve into the history of winemaking and indulge in some fine local food and an assortment of delicious reds at this Hawke’s Bay winery.

Church Road Winery

Areas of Hawke's Bay Region

Dawn rises over the city of Napier, with St Paul's Cathedral to the left of shot

Napier South

If you're spending some time in Napier South, McLean Park and National Aquarium of New Zealand are top sights worth seeing.

Napier South
National Tobacco Company Building

Ahuriri

While visiting Ahuriri, you might make a stop by sights like National Tobacco Company Building and The Urban Winery.

Ahuriri
This cycle/walk way is VERY near the tidal waterways - or in this case, under it. Nice area to walk near the airport, with quite a few birds to be seen.

Westshore

4/5(2 area reviews)

Beaches, spas and seafood restaurants highlight some of the notable features of Westshore. Make a stop by Westshore Beach while you're exploring.

Westshore
Church Road Winery

Taradale

You'll enjoy the wineries and churches in Taradale. You might want to make time for a stop at Church Road Winery or Pettigrew Green Arena.

Taradale
Art Deco Weekend!! Art Deco Weekend is a celebration of the rebuilding of Napier after the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake- it celebrates our beautiful city and it's iconic buildings, memorializes the people of the city during the 1930's and makes for a great weekend! The event is planned extremely well, has an incredible amount of era-appropriate events and a magnificent setting. Everybody dresses up - frocks, heels and accessories, bow ties and suspenders... Add vintage car parades, over 200 different events - it's a great weekend!

Bluff Hill

While visiting Bluff Hill, you might make a stop by sights like Napier Prison and Bluff Hill Domain Lookout.

Bluff Hill
📍Apricot farm, Bay View A large apricot farm in Bay View. We often took strolls through the trees with the dog as it was close to where we were staying.

Bay View

While visiting Bay View, you might make a stop by sights like Petane Domain and Westshore Beach.

Bay View
Napier showing a sunset and a square or plaza

Napier

The cycle tracks along the sea-shore of Hawke's Bay are a great way to spend an afternoon or morning. We biked from Napiers' Marine Parade to the Haumoana market day, which took a couple of hours. The views are lovely, and there are ice-creams available at the end! Make sure you pack sun-block and a big bottle of water - the sun and heat can be super intense.

Clive

Te Mata Peak, Hawkes Bay at sunset.

Tuki Tuki