The Hawke’s Bay region with its main city Napier sits out on the eastern coast of the central part of the North Island, bordering the Pacific Ocean. Famed for its long hours of sunshine and a variety of soil types, this region is traditionally one of the most important fruit growing areas with not just apples and pears but peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and kiwi and now wine producing regions of the country. The countryside is cosy, welcoming and attractive with acres of orchards and vineyards from the Pacific Ocean stretching several miles inland. Some vines are on slightly raised ground underneath the 1300 ft mountain of Te Mata Peak or above the meandering Tukituki river. Where there are no vines or orchards, you find grazing fields of sheep and farmsteads. In the distance gleams the blue of the Pacific Ocean. There are numerous vineyards to visit; many have tours, shops and outstanding restaurants. The village of Havelock North is charming and at the heart of this fruitful region. Not to be missed is the Art Deco City of Napier, perched on the edge of the Pacific and rebuilt completely in Art Deco style after the earthquake of 1931 that destroyed the old town and raised the sea bed, creating new land.
Local highlights
Visit and lunch at vineyards including perhaps Sileni and Black Barn inland or Clearwater on the coast, Visit the Art Deco city of Napier; don’t miss the Desco Centre and the A&B Building but also the dolphin show at Marineland and the Aquarium with its sharks and stingrays, Visit the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers where up to 15,000 gannets nest (no access during early nesting between July and October), Orchard tour at Pernel Fruitworld near Hastings.