Top 6 places to explore in sunny Hawke's Bay - summer 2021

Hawke’s Bay is a beautiful location for a summer holiday. With stunning weather and beaches, river rafting, coastal hiking tracks and plenty of vineyards for a crisp glass of wine or lunch, it’s safe to say that Hawke’s Bay has you covered.

If you’re exploring the Hawke’s Bay region this summer, here are our top five destinations and outdoor activities – plus the best places to stay if you’re traveling in a motorhome or tent.

Napier

The coastal city of Napier is located in the middle of the Hawke’s Bay region, and is known for its wine, food, and art deco buildings (the city was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1931). Napier sits right by the ocean, with a long boardwalk running along the beach and multiple lovely botanical gardens and memorial statues. Among these is the beautiful Pania of the Reef statue, one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country.

There are plenty of other interesting activities, including escape rooms, tours of the old Napier Prison, and historic sites like the Hawke’s Bay earthquake memorial.

With multiple private campsites near Napier, you’re also sure to find an enjoyable spot to spend the night in your motorhome.

Cape Kidnappers track

Thirty minutes’ drive south of Napier is the Cape Kidnappers hiking track. It’s a nineteen kilometre return trail running along sections of rugged coastline with stunning scenery. There’s a healthy population of native birdlife, and at the end of the cape there are breathtaking rock and sand formations and views across the Pacific Ocean.

The trail runs along a section of the beach so should not be attempted at high tide - be sure to check the tide timetable before you depart.

Te Mata Park

While you’re in Hawke’s Bay, don’t miss the chance to visit Te Mata Park. The park has forests of hundred-year-old redwoods, and from the summit of the hills you can see incredible 360-degree views of the Heretaunga Plains and Hawke’s Bay. There’s also a range of fantastic walking and mountain biking tracks within the park of various expertise levels.

If you want to stay overnight, there’s lodging at The Peak House, a restaurant and bar with live music, yoga on the grass, and more incredible views over Hawke’s Bay.

Te Mata Park is a fifteen minute drive from Havelock North and thirty-five minutes from Napier. Enter through either the Main Gates car park of the Tauroa Road car park.

Hawke’s Bay wineries

Hawke’s Bay is very well known for its wineries, which produce high-quality Syrah, Bordeaux and Chardonnay. Many of the region’s wineries have open cellar doors and restaurants so you can enjoy the stunning architecture of the buildings, educational tastings, glasses of wine, lunch, or even just a stroll through the vines. The region also has a ‘Wineries ride’ cycle trail which passes ten vineyards where you can stop along the way.

If you want to really enjoy the wineries we recommend staying overnight at Esk Valley citrus orchard. Nestled amongst the citrus trees, this campsite is within a couple of minutes’ drive of three award-winning wineries.

Mohaka River

Forty-five minutes north of Napier is the Mohaka River. This area offers some spectacular scenery with lots of native forest and bird life, including the critically endangered Blue Duck, one of New Zealand’s rarest birds. The river also offers outstanding trout fishing, beautiful walks, scenic raft trips and world class white water rafting.

You can stay on the river bank in your motorhome or tent with Raft Fish NZ. If you book with Campable this summer your $25 accommodation fee goes toward one of the awesome rafting, fishing and scenic tours they offer.

Mahia Peninsula

Two hours north of Napier is the stunning Mahia Peninsula. While two hours does take you out of Hawke’s Bay, Mahia Peninsula is certainly worth the detour. There’s gorgeous coastline and beaches, from the sheltered golden sand beach right in front of the small Mahia township to the black sand beach with wild surf. Mahia also boasts some beautiful coastal walks - we recommend the Mokotahi Hill track for a shorter hike or the Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve Track for something a bit longer.

You can also stay right in the heart of the small beach town with Campable. Enjoy views of the beach from the door of your motorhome or tent!

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