Top 5 Hawke's Bay spring activities

While enjoying the Hawke's Bay Trails Great Ride, take time out to experience all that the region has to offer. From the great outdoors to fine wine and historic architecture, Feel Free in NZ and check out our top five things to do in spring.

Cycle the Hawke’s Bay Trails

As one of the 23 Ngā Haerenga Great Rides of New Zealand, the Hawke's Bay Trails feature almost 200km of easy riding cycle trails, connecting cities and towns with delicious stops and stunning scenery to boot. Choose from the Water, Landscapes or Wineries rides, or pick your own path for your ideal experience. Hire a bike from one of Hawke’s Bay’s friendly cycle tour operators, including Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours.

Visit a winery cellar door

Hawke’s Bay is an official Great Wine Capital of the world, joining 11 other global leaders in wine tourism, including Bordeaux, Napa Valley and South Australia. Visit one or more of Hawke’s Bay’s 35-plus winery cellar doors and sample what the region is best known for - syrah, chardonnay and merlot cabernet blends. Self-drive, visit by bike on the Hawke’s Bay Trails, or join a tour for the ultimate guided cellar doors experience.

 See the gannets at Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers is home to the world’s largest mainland colony of Australasian gannets.  Up to 20,000 gannets make this habitat their home. Join a Gannet Safaris overland 4x4 tour through pristine coastline, a working farm and native bush to the gannet colony.  Tours run between September and April.

Explore art deco Napier

From the devastation of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1931 rose the iconic art deco cityscapes we see today. Napier city is considered the art deco capital with the highest concentration of art deco buildings anywhere in the world. Hastings is also home to an impressive collection of art deco, Spanish mission and stripped classical buildings. Take an Art Deco Trust vintage car tour or join a guided walk to discover the best examples of art deco buildings you’ll see anywhere.

Spring Fling festival in Central Hawke’s Bay

The Spring Fling is a series of standout events throughout September and October, capturing the essence of spring time in Central Hawke's Bay. Spring is a stunning time of year in Central Hawke's Bay and each year's Spring Fling programme is a wonderful showcase of the region with gorgeous events at historic homesteads, scenic coastal walks, boutique markets and more. Whether your passion is art, food, wine, shopping, cycling or the great outdoors, the Spring Fling has something for all. Check out the programme

* Start planning your next cycle holiday and Feel Free in NZ this spring. 

 * Photos courtesy of Hawke's Bay NZ. Check out Hawke's Bay NZ for more inspiration and other itineraries.