Best Things to Do in the Sunny Hawke’s Bay – Wine, Art & Coastal Charm

Hawke’s Bay is a region of sunshine, vineyards, and coastal charm, stretching from Wairoa in the north down to Waipukurau in the south. Known as the fruit bowl of Aotearoa – New Zealand, it bursts with orchards, farmers’ markets, and award-winning wineries, making it one of the most flavourful stops in the country. The lively port city of Napier anchors the region with its art deco architecture and bustling waterfront, while nearby Hastings and Havelock North offer a mix of food, culture and outdoor adventures. These Best Things to Do in Hawke’s Bay highlight why this sun-drenched region is such a favourite for travellers.

🍷 Do a Wine Tour

Hawke’s Bay is one of Aotearoa – New Zealand’s premier wine regions, celebrated for its full-bodied reds like Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon along with world-class Chardonnay. With long hot summers and mild winters, the region has the perfect climate for vineyards.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a day among the vines:

• Join a guided tour — learn the stories of the land and its winemaking traditions.
• Cycle between cellar doors — the sunny, flat terrain makes it easy to hop between vineyards at your own pace.
• Taste and dine — with more than 70 wineries, you’ll find boutique estates, historic names like Mission Estate and vineyard restaurants serving fresh, local kai.

💡 Don’t miss: Mission Estate Winery, New Zealand’s oldest winery, where you can pair a glass of Chardonnay with sweeping views across Napier.

🍇 Seasonal Tip: Plan your visit around a wine festival to experience the region at its most vibrant.

🏙️ Explore Napier

After being rebuilt in the art deco style following the 1931 earthquake, Napier has become one of the world’s most beautifully preserved art deco cities. With sunshine bouncing off pastel facades and palm-lined streets, it’s a place that feels like stepping back in time.

Here’s how to make the most of Napier:

• Wander the vibrant streets — spot the geometric patterns, bold colours and 1930s design details at every corner.
• Join a guided heritage walk — local experts bring the city’s history to life, sharing stories of resilience and creativity.
• Visit the Art Deco Festival — held every February, the city transforms into a stage of vintage cars, jazz music, fashion and glamour.

💡 Don’t miss: The Napier Sound Shell on Marine Parade — a striking art deco landmark and popular photo spot.

🎺 Festival Tip: Book early if you’re planning to visit during the Art Deco Festival, as it’s one of the busiest times of the year.

🚴 Hire a Bike and Ride the Trails

With flat terrain and endless sunshine, Hawke’s Bay is one of the best regions in Aotearoa for cycling. The Hawke’s Bay Trails stretch over 200km, linking vineyards, orchards, coastlines and riversides into a network that’s both scenic and easy to ride.

Ways to enjoy the trails:

• Family-friendly rides — short, flat sections perfect for kids and casual riders.
• Wine and dine loops — cycle between cellar doors, stopping for tastings and vineyard lunches.
• Scenic adventures — ride along the coast to Cape Kidnappers or follow riverside paths for sweeping views.

💡 Top Pick: The Water Ride, which takes you along estuaries, wetlands and coastlines with plenty of birdlife to spot.

🚲 Insider Tip: Many local operators offer bike hire and shuttles, so you can do one-way rides without backtracking.

🐦 Take a Tour to Cape Kidnappers

Home to one of the world’s largest mainland gannet colonies, Cape Kidnappers is a spectacular coastal headland that offers both wildlife encounters and dramatic scenery. The cliffs rise sharply above the Pacific Ocean, creating unforgettable views and a sense of wild beauty unique to Hawke’s Bay.

Ways to experience Cape Kidnappers:

• Guided tractor tour — ride along the beach at low tide, weaving between cliffs and coves before reaching the gannet colony.
• Hike across farmland — take a scenic trek across rolling hills with sweeping ocean vistas.
• Golf with a view — tee off at the Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, ranked among the world’s top courses.

💡 Wildlife Highlight: Watch thousands of Australasian gannets nesting and soaring overhead — a rare chance to get close to these impressive seabirds.

🌊 Scenic Tip: The headland is best visited on a clear day when the Pacific Ocean stretches endlessly into the horizon.

🌄 Climb Te Mata Peak

Just outside Havelock North, Te Mata Peak rises 399 metres above sea level, offering 360-degree views over the bay, rolling vineyards and distant ranges. It’s one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Hawke’s Bay, perfect for sunrise or sunset.

Ways to experience Te Mata Peak:

• Drive to the summit — the quickest way to soak up the sweeping views.
• Walk the tracks — choose from a network of trails through native bush, ridgelines and valleys.
• Cycle the climb — a rewarding ride for those looking for a challenge.

💡 Scenic Highlight: From the top, you can see across the Heretaunga Plains, the coast, and on clear days, even as far as Mount Ruapehu.

🥾 Nature Tip: Pack a picnic — the park’s grassy clearings and shaded spots make it an ideal place to slow down and connect with the land.

Final Thoughts

These Best Things to Do in Hawke’s Bay highlight the best of the region — but they’re only the beginning. Beyond vineyards, cycling, and scenic peaks, Hawke’s Bay has a thriving food scene, from bustling farmers’ markets in Hastings to seaside fish and chips along the Napier waterfront. The coastline offers fishing, surfing, and long walks on windswept beaches, while inland you’ll find orchards heavy with apples and stonefruit.

Whether you come for the wine and festivals or stay for the fresh kai and outdoor adventures, Hawke’s Bay delivers a blend of abundance and sunshine that keeps travellers coming back.

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
• 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
• 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.