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.

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