The top 10 things to do Hawkes Bay & surrounds, NZ

But what makes Hawkes Bay worth putting on your itinerary over any other travel destination in New Zealand? And what are the absolute must-do attractions, activities and things to do in Hawkes Bay and its surrounds? With all of the above factors in mind, here's our list of the top 10 attractions and other essential sightseeing activities in Hawkes Bay for the year 2015 and beyond.

Napier's Hawkes Bay area is renowned for its dedication to art deco, and the Napier Municipal Theatre stands out as a prime attraction. It offers a cultural entertainment experience with high-quality performances and a stylish blend of art deco and modern amenities. This beautifully restored heritage venue features a classic yet classy neon-lit facade.

Step inside, and you'll enter a charming, character-filled space adorned with colorful glass, well-maintained furnishings, and even the original carpeting from its past. Guided tours provide in-depth insights into its history and operations, making it a treat for Art Deco enthusiasts. The only drawback is its limited performance schedule. Check online for upcoming shows to make the most of your visit. Experiencing a show in this 900+ seat theater with excellent acoustics is a must for Hawkes Bay theater enthusiasts.

Wildlife enthusiasts, especially those with kids, should visit the Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo. Spanning a spacious 3 hectares, it blends animal interaction with education, featuring various enclosures with diverse animals like baby emus, lambs, goats, chicks, and ostriches. It's a fantastic and value-packed attraction for children, emphasizing hands-on experiences and allowing visitors to hand-feed most of the animals. The zoo maintains a clean and pleasant atmosphere, making it a top choice for family fun in Hawkes Bay.

Feeding the animals requires the purchase of a cup of food – priced at an extremely reasonable $1 – while other animals such as the lambs can be bottle-fed. If you're wanting to maximise your interaction with the animals, it's best to arrive earlier on in the day when the animals are hungrier so they'll be all the more willing to be fed; a good idea is to arrive mid-morning and bring along lunch, which you can then enjoy while relaxing in the roomy picnic area. There's also a takeaway bar offering simple yet tasty food, and allows parents to take a break and enjoy a coffee while the kids run from one enclosure to the next. Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo also offers guided horse/pony treks that take participants on a delightful journey to soak up the delightful regional scenery; adults can take part in an extended trek that lasts ~1 hour, while children can hop on the back of a docile pony and enjoy being taken on a track around the farm. With a low cost of admission and an experience that's enjoyable for all ages, families visiting Hawkes Bay would be well served spending half a day at Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo.

Hawkes Bay's rolling hills and wide open spaces are perfect for peaceful exploration, especially on horseback. Boutique Horse Treks offers scenic rides for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders, with ride durations ranging from 30 minutes to 4 hours, ensuring there's something for everyone. The experience starts with friendly hosts who understand that many visitors are new to horseback riding. The horses themselves are well-trained and gentle, helping ease any fears. You'll also learn about natural horsemanship, which focuses on bonding with the horses rather than just using them as transportation, creating a stronger connection between rider and animal.

Boutique Horse Treks in Hawkes Bay offers off-the-beaten-track adventures through hidden parts of New Zealand's bush, complete with opportunities to spot local wildlife, especially birds. The hosts provide insights into animal life and the surrounding geography. The exceptional scenery offers endless, unobstructed views, and beach rides even let you witness breathtaking sunsets as the horses tread the water's edge. As a bonus, the hosts capture photos during the ride, allowing you to fully enjoy the journey and leave with cherished mementos. With local knowledge, animal interaction, stunning scenery, and excellent service, Boutique Horse Treks is one of New Zealand's top horse riding experiences, making it the perfect choice for beginners and experienced riders alike.

For a more thrilling experience in Hawkes Bay, consider white-water rafting with Mohaka Rafting. They offer a range of courses, from mild half-day Grade 2 trips focusing on scenery to full-day Grade 5 adventures packed with adrenaline. Rafting experiences vary along different sections of the Mohaka River, showcasing diverse landscapes, including gorges, forests, and farms. Mohaka Rafting combines professionalism with a fun, relaxed atmosphere, providing well-maintained equipment and a strong emphasis on safety. It's a family-friendly adventure, especially on the lower-end Grade 2 trips.

Children can also float alongside rafts in inner tubes at certain sections to add variety to the experience. On the more advanced itineraries, you'll encounter thrilling rapids, cliff jumps, and visits to points of interest like an abandoned gold mine. Knowledgeable guides provide detailed explanations, and the journey concludes with a rejuvenating lunch. Transfers to and from Napier are available as a courtesy, enhancing the value of this excellent half or full-day water adventure. Whether you seek thrills or a person-powered cruise through scenic Hawkes Bay, it's a perfect aquatic adventure.

During Hawkes Bay's warmer months (November to March), don't miss Splash Planet in Hastings. This water park offers a mix of wet and dry rides for all ages. While the water slides are the main attraction, there's plenty to enjoy on land too. Splash Planet boasts a variety of slides, including large winding ones, dark tunnel slides, and racing slides, all well-designed and maintained. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you can swim in age-appropriate pools, with indoor pools heated and outdoor pools warmed by the sun. Floating down the "Never Ending River" on a tube is a serene change of pace from the thrill rides.

Outside of the water, Splash Planet offers diverse and enjoyable dry rides and activities, including go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, and flying foxes suitable for all ages. Shaded areas are available for breaks, but they can fill up during peak times, so arrive early if possible. Guests can bring their own food, and the park also offers reasonably-priced food options. Additionally, you can book barbecue areas in advance for more dining choices. Considering Hawkes Bay's regional appeal, Splash Planet's $28 adult day ticket is surprisingly affordable, making it a great value for families and anyone seeking sun-soaked fun.

Hawkes Bay is renowned for its wineries, boasting over 100 vineyards and 80 wineries as the second-largest wine region in NZ. Wine is a cornerstone of Hawkes Bay's economy and a delight for visitors. With such a vast selection of wineries, choosing where to go can be overwhelming. That's where Bay Tours, local tour guides with a history of showcasing Hawkes Bay's top wine destinations, come in. The region's mild climate and ample sunshine make it perfect for Chardonnay and Bordeaux production, and Bay Tours' trips allow you to taste various top labels of both. These tours cover multiple wineries, which vary by season, and are tailored to your preferences. Bay Tours' down-to-earth approach and local expertise make them a popular choice for exploring Hawkes Bay's wine scene.

Bay Tours offers both half-day and full-day options. The shorter tours include three wineries, while the full-day ones extend to five or six wineries. Owners of these wineries are welcoming and provide insights into production methods and wine pairings, accompanied by cheese boards and savory samples amidst picturesque vineyards. Beyond wine, Hawkes Bay's tours let you sample chocolates, olive oil dishes, and more from local producers, enhancing your palate. While exploring all of Hawkes Bay's top wineries and gourmet delights could take weeks, Bay Tours offers a reasonably priced, well-balanced overview that's both enjoyable and manageable for most visitors.

Extended stay visitors to Hawkes Bay can enjoy sightseeing while cycling through picturesque wineries and coastline. With over 180 kilometers of cycling trails between Hastings and Napier, there are many routes to explore. Takaro Trails offers cycling equipment and well-planned routes for active tourists. These routes blend scenery and culinary experiences, and being self-guided, you can enjoy them at your own pace. The options range from single-day rides to comprehensive multi-day trips, catering to various time frames and preferences.

Choose your cycling itinerary based on your interests. The Cape Coast route blends limestone trails along the Tuki Tuki River with visits to 7 wineries. Heading south leads to Cape Kidnappers and the Art Deco buildings of Napier. Cycling allows for up-close exploration of Hawkes Bay's natural and man-made beauty, including orchards and vineyards. For special occasions or extended experiences, multi-day itineraries spanning 3 to 7 days are available with accommodation and other arrangements upon request. The region's flat terrain and mild weather make multi-day rides less strenuous. Takaro Trails provides top-quality 24-gear sports cycles equipped for various terrains, including some off-road tracks for the best views. Helmets, maps, and water bottles are included, so all you need is energy and a spirit of exploration to enjoy your journey through Hawkes Bay.

Napier, an iconic city in Hawkes Bay, is known for its unique charm and distinctive Art Deco style, which was adopted after a major earthquake in 1931. This design theme makes Napier itself an attraction. The Hawkes Bay Express train adds a vintage touch by offering a leisurely tour of the city. This meticulously crafted "road train" mirrors classic rail designs, taking riders on a stylish city adventure that highlights Napier's history and local landmarks. The train's velvet-and-wood interior, along with its characteristic whistle and bell, transports passengers back in time, making the city tour feel truly special.

The Hawkes Bay Express train offers a comprehensive 1.5-hour tour of Napier's main attractions with entertaining and informative commentary. It covers topics like the earthquake, local legends, and more, appealing to both children and adults. There are two options: a detailed tour for older riders and a child-oriented 30-minute ride. The train operates from November to April, with three daily runs, and requires prior booking. This unique train tour provides a delightful alternative to standard city bus tours and is a must-do when visiting Napier in Hawkes Bay.

Hawkes Bay is known for its wine and its massive Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. This world's largest Gannet colony is home to over 6500 pairs of these birds, making it an impressive sight. Cape Kidnappers, located about 20 kilometers southeast of Napier, features dramatic cliffs and rock formations, especially stunning at sunrise and sunset. While it's not easily accessible independently, Gannet Safaris offers guided tours for a comprehensive and enjoyable experience of the cape and its Gannets.

Choose Gannet Safaris for a guided tour to the impressive Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers. This option provides valuable insights into Gannet behavior and saves you from a tiring beach walk. Tours depart from Napier in air-conditioned 4WD vehicles, offering comfortable travel and scenic coastal stops along the way. The Gannets are abundant and active, and you'll enjoy stunning views from the cape's clifftops back to Napier city. Knowledgeable drivers enhance the journey, making the roughly 3-hour tour enjoyable. Gannet Safaris offers a smooth, insightful, and rewarding experience, concluding with a hot drink, a cookie, and a smile.

Te Mata is Hawkes Bay's iconic lookout point, offering stunning panoramic views. Though only 400 meters high, its unobstructed location provides a 360-degree outlook across the dramatic Hawkes Bay countryside and inland areas. The peak's name comes from Maori folklore, reflecting the jagged terrain's resemblance to a giant's bite. It offers a visual showcase of Hawkes Bay's diverse landscape, with views stretching to Tongariro National Park on clear days. While the park has various walking tracks, the peak is the primary attraction and can be accessed in different ways. Driving is one option, but the steep, winding road with narrow sections and tight bends in the final stretch presents challenges.

Driving up to Te Mata Peak is doable but requires caution due to the steep, winding road. Tours to the top are available for those who prefer not to drive. Walking and cycling are options, with different tracks to choose from depending on your preferences. The Peak Trail, starting from the Te Mata Peak Road carpark, is the most popular, taking about 1.5 hours. Bring water in warm weather and dress warmly in cooler seasons, as the wind can be penetrating. Te Mata Peak is a short drive from Napier, making it easily accessible. Ensure you visit on a clear day to fully enjoy the stunning views of Hawkes Bay.