Whether it is by land, sea or air - all routes lead to Hawkes Bay Wine Country!
By Land
Hawkes Bay is an easy drive through some of New Zealand's most picturesque countryside.
The road journey from the north offers two scenic highways to follow, known as the The Great New Zealand Touring Route. The Great New Zealand Touring Route encompasses both the Pacific Coast Highway and the Thermal Explorer Highway. These routes offer the chance to experience everything in New Zealand from sandy beaches to snow capped mountains, geothermal areas, spectacular rain forest, fascinating Maori culture, adventure activities, kiwi fruit orchards and award winning vineyards along the way.
The Pacific Coast Highway traversing the spectacular east coast of New Zealand's North Island, is known as one of the great touring routes in the world. Linking Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty with Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Whakatane and the magnificent off-shore volcano White Island and the East Cape before entering Hawke's Bay at its most Northern point, along the Mahia Peninsula and through the town of Wairoa. Visit www.gnztr.co.nz for ideas.
The Thermal Explorer Highway from Auckland to Hawke's Bay takes you through the centre of the North Island to encounter great Lake Taupo, the majestic Huka Falls, Mount Ruapehu and geothermal wonderland Rotorua. The regions are abundant with crystal clear lakes and streams, native bush, natural spas, ski fields, Maori culture, wineries and Waitomo’s underground cave mysteries. Visit www.gnztr.co.nz for ideas.
The road journey to the south is linked through the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, which stretches more than 380km from Hawkes Bay through to Wairarapa, Wellington and over Cook Strait to Marlborough in the South Island.
These regions are the premier wine growing areas of New Zealand, many renowned internationally for the quality and distinctiveness of their award winning wines. New Zealand is a new world wine growing country and as such has applied a fresh approach and ingenuity into producing the unique tastes on offer. Visit www.classicwinetrail.co.nz for ideas.
Driving times:
Auckland – Napier 5.5 hours
Rotorua – Napier 2.5 hours
Taupo – Napier 1.5 hours
Gisborne – Napier 3 hours
Wellington – Napier 4 hours
Hawkes Bay is on the national coach route and daily services with intercity stops operate from Auckland, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington. www.intercity.co.nz
By Sea
The Port of Napier is predominantly a commercial port, however over the summer season the number of cruise ships calling at Napier Port has vastly increased. Shuttles run from the Port of Napier into the Napier i-Site (which is in close walking distance to the city centre) and many tour operators run from the Port itself. For a full cruise ship schedule visit www.portofnapier.co.nz .
By Air
Hawkes Bay is well serviced by daily direct Air New Zealand flights from the main centres of Auckland (10 direct flights), Wellington (6 direct flights), and Christchurch (2 direct flights). Flights take on average 1 hour and smaller centres can be reached by connecting through the main centres. www.airnz.co.nz
The Hawkes Bay Airport is located 10 minutes from the Napier City Centre and 20 minutes from the Hastings City Centre. Rental car companies, shuttle buses and taxi companies operate from the airport providing transport to destinations in Hawkes Bay. For more information on the Hawkes Bay Airport visit www.hawkesbay-airport.co.nz.
A rental car or campervan will give you the freedom to discover Hawkes Bay Wine Country at your leisure. Free maps are available at the Visitor Information Centres, which focus on food, wine and art trails.
Urban Bus Route
Public bus services operate throughout Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere.
For information about routes, bus stops, times and fares, please phone Go Bus on (06) 878 925 or check out www.hbrc.govt.nz .