The Hawkes Bay region is accessed by national touring routes via journeys from the north and the south. Hawkes Bay also has many internal routes and trails to follow within the region which focus on food, wine and art.
Touring Routes into Hawkes Bay
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 Hawkes 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 Hawkes 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.
Touring Routes and Trails within Hawkes Bay
Hawkes Bay Art Trail
Hawkes Bay has a vibrant, artistic culture. The Hawkes Bay Art Trail takes visitors to discover a wide range of home studios and galleries around the region. It gives the opportunity to meet the artists behind the work and to purchase a piece of Hawkes Bay to take home with you.
Hawkes Bay Food Trail
The Hawkes Bay Wine Country Food Trail is your guide to finding the best fresh produce and specialty artisan products Hawkes Bay has to offer.
The perfect day can be found in this bountiful region - in fact it may take many days to discover the full range of epicurean delights that await you. All Food Trail stops prominently display the Food Trail sign at the gate or entrance, and a map is available from any Hawkes Bay Visitor Information Centre, or by contacting Food Hawke’s Bay.
Hawkes Bay Wine Trail
Come and discover the Hawkes Bay Wine Trail. See the river valleys, terraces and hillsides of vineyards that produce the exceptional wines of Hawkes Bay and visit the cellar doors to find and taste what makes the region’s wines so sought after. Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s premium red wine producing region and the second largest wine region in the country.
Heritage Trails
Trails can be found across most of the Hawkes Bay region. Many are self-drive or walking trails, and are clearly marked with teal and yellow signs. Individual brochures explaining the history and value of each heritage trail site are available from the local Visitor Information Centres.
Central Hawkes Bay Heritage Trails
Highway 50 Trail
The Highway 50 Trail includes many sites relating to history of native bush clearance and also explores the historic town of Ongaonga, with many well-preserved original buildings. Allow a full day to explore the sites.
Coastal Trail
The Coastal Trails main theme is the pastoral history of the country between Waipawa and Waipukurau and the eastern beaches. Many examples of pioneering farming enterprise are included on the trail. Allow a full day to compete the trail.
Pavement Walks
Pavement Walks is a historical wander through the towns of Waipawa and Waipukurau exploring the commercial and residential heritage of both towns. Allow one hour for each walk.
Highway Two
Highway Two follows the main highway from Waipawa to the Takapau Plains and provides an excellent record of railway construction through this district in the 1870s. Allow a full day to complete the trail.
Central Hawkes Bay Information Centre
Tel +64 (0)6 858 6488
Email info@centralhawkesbay.co.nz
Hastings Heritage Trails
Kaweka Trail
This trail extends from Fernhill to Kaweka Forest Park and includes a privately run Museum and bathing pools at Mangatutu Hot Springs. Allow four hours to drive the trail without visiting any of the sites.
Awarua Trail
This trail is divided into two different routes following the course of two major rivers, the Tukituki and the Ngaruroro. Both trails explore the lives and times of Hawke’s Bay early pastoral settlers. Allow a full day to explore the trail sites.
Waimarama Trail
This trail is en route to beautiful Waimarama Beach sites on this trail to explore include an 1892 hydroelectric power station, Te Mata Park and Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. Allow a day to explore the sites or 2 hours to drive the trail without stops.
Inland Patea (Gentle Annie) Trail
This trail follows the route of an old Maori track from Hastings to Inland Patea, exploring many historic sites related to the pastoral development. Several bush walks are included on the trail. Allow one day to visit the sites although individual bush walks will require longer.
Hastings Visitor Information Centre
Tel: +64 (0) 6 873 5526
Email: info@hastingsvic.co.nz
Havelock North Heritage Trails
Architectural Trail
This is a drive around a selection of interesting architectural icons demonstrating the work of notable architects William Rush, Chapman-Taylor, Gummer and others. It can be covered in about two hours.
Havelock North Walks
Allow 1 1/2 hours to walk around Havelock North Village visiting historic sites and structures. A further 1/2 km walking trail along the Karamu Stream, which flows through the village, holds special geological and ecological interest. An additional walk takes you through the Tainui Reserve with its interesting mix of indigenous and exotic
trees.
Havelock North Village Info
Phone: +64 (0)6 877 9600
Email: info@villageinfo.co.nz
Napier Heritage Trails
Hill Walks
There are three walking trails exploring the lanes and pathways of Napier Hill’s historic residential area:
Bluff Hill Walk
Starts on Marine Parade and includes many Victorian Hill homes. Allow 2 ½ hours to complete.
Middle Hill Walk
Explores the northern side of the Hill and view William Colenso’s home, allow 2 hours to complete.
Hospital Hill Walk
Features the Botanical Gardens and Historic Napier Cemetery, allow 2 hours to complete.
Ahuriri Walk
This is a walking trail through Napier’s oldest suburb Ahuriri with sites featuring the development of fishing, shipping, tobacco and wool industries. The trail is in two parts, allow 30 mins for stage one and 55 mins for stage two.
Waterfront Trail
This is a 25km coastal trail featuring sites related to the 1931 Earthquake, beginning on the Marine Parade and extending through coastal suburbs of Westshore and Bay View. Allow three hours.
Napier Taupo Trail
This follows State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo. Allow one day to explore the sites including pre-European walking tracks, private gardens and historic country hotels.
Napier Wairoa Trail
Sea routes, coastal walking tracks, bridle and bullock trails and road and rail links are the theme of this trail extending between Napier and the northern town of Wairoa. Allow one day to view sites.
Napier Visitor Information Centre
Phone: +64 (0)6 834 1911
Email: info@napiervic.co.nz