Hawke’s Bay
Hawke's Bay is loved for its sunny climate, fabulous beaches and vineyards; it is also one of the country’s most important pip-fruit growing areas.
The Hawke’s Bay region has around 2200 hours of sunshine every year, so there’s ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Between the forested Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges and the ocean, the Heretaunga Plains are sliced into portions by wide, braided rivers – the perfect landscape for cycling, fishing, hiking, surfing and other fresh-air activities.
Thanks to the warm, maritime climate and grape-friendly soils, Hawke’s Bay has a rich heritage of wine production, with classic grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and, more recently, Syrah (Shiraz). Most vineyards welcome visitors for tasting sessions – many run a café or restaurant so that you can match fine wines to fine food.
Both Napier and Hastings were seriously damaged during the region’s huge 1931 earthquake (7.8 on the Richter scale), then rebuilt in the architectural styles of the times – Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical.
East of Hastings is Cape Kidnappers, a large gannet colony. Over summer, visitors see chicks being raised by their parents. At all times of the year, it is great to watch the gannets cruising the air currents and diving for fish.
You can fill in your days here heading off to wine trails, taking on an adventure tourism activity, or simply kicking back and enjoying the sun, surf and beaches.
Source: AA Travel
Photo: "Napier City, Hawke's Bay"
More information
See our guides section for information on skifields, wineries, art galleries and more.
AA Regional 101s
Art Deco and Spanish Mission Walks
