Hawkes Bay Attractions

Morere - Morere is a great place to go on a native bush walk, and check out the Nikau Palm Grove. After that you can relax in the thermal pools at Morere Hot Springs.

Nuhaka - Before turning off to explore Mahia Peninsula, there is Nuhaka, a small community with general store, post office and Maori marae.

Mahia Peninsula - Places to visit on Mahia Peninsula includes: Black Beach good for surfing; Opoutama Beach and Lookout for great swimming and views; Mahanga and Mahia Beaches for swimming, golf and places to stay; Taylor’s Bay for its whaling past; Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve for its native bush; Whangawehi with its harbour ideal for boat fishing.

Waipatiki Beach - Forty kilometres north of Napier, Waipatiki has a golden sand beach bordered by a native bush reserve. Great fishing can be had just off the coast.

Ocean Beach - South of Cape Kidnappers, Ocean Beach has a quiet, get-away-from-it-all feel about it. Rustic Kiwi baches dot the landscape.

Waimarama - Popular summer holiday spot, which has an ocean beach where swimming and surfcasting are popular pastimes.

Waipawa - A farming town, which is a great place for those wishing to do a spot of fishing or hunting.

Waipukurau - One of the bigger townships in central Hawke's Bay, Waipukurau is a farming service centre, with excellent fishing in the nearby Tukituki River.

Pourerere - Situated on an ocean beach, this great little locale is popular with surfers, anglers and crayfish lovers.

Porangahau - A farming locale with a Maori heritage, but more famous for being the closest township to the hill with the longest name in the world – taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu.

Morere Springs. These springs are set in 364 hectares of native bush with great walking tracks.

Mahia Peninsula has some of the best surfing waves in the country.

Te Urewera National Park includes the beautiful Lake Waikaremoana, which provides a focus for most visitor activities.
The track around the lake is one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’, taking three days to complete. Six shorter walks begin close to the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre.

Ball's Clearing Scenic Reserve, 65km north west of Napier, is a magical environment of enormous native trees standing side by side, the oldest being 600-700 years old.

Lake Tutira north of Napier is a wildlife refuge and park. Fringed with weeping willows, Lake Tutira is an idyllic picnicking and camping spot. There are walking tracks leading to waterfalls and splendid views of the Pacific coast.

Tangoio Walkway in the Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve. The track follows the Kareaara Stream to the Te Ana Falls; Tangoio Falls are a little further on.

Hawke’s Bay Wineries - experience some of the 40-plus wineries in the region, or book a wine tour. Wineries are situated in coastal areas, alluvial plains, river valleys and hillsides. A Wine Country Food Trail is also available.

Napier’s Art Deco Walk is a popular attraction. Buildings not to be missed include the National Tobacco Company in Ahuriri, the Daily Telegraph Building and the residences of Marewa. Pick up a pamphlet or take an informative Art Deco tour.

Napier’s Marine Parade, with its beautiful Norfolk Pines, is a pleasant way to start or end the day. Take note of the iconic ‘Pania of the Reef’. This statue is sometimes compared to Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid and is now safely back on her stand after she was stolen for 9 days in October 2005.

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, the largest mainland gannet colony in the world. Over summer you can see chicks being raised by their parents, and throughout the year it’s great to see the gannets cruising the air currents.

Hasting’s Frimley Park features a magnificent circular rose garden with more than 5500 roses.

Te Mata Peak, just south of Havelock North, for panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and Cape Kidnappers. Well-maintained walking tracks provide access to the park’s bush areas and fossil-rich limestone cliffs.

Central Hawke’s Bay. The area has many historic homesteads and stately gardens. Look for spectacular rhododendrons in Ongaonga.

Heretaunga Plains – the perfect place for cycling, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.