Hawkes Bay
Hawke's Bay Wine Country is New Zealand's leading food and wine region and with over 2200 hours of sunshine, the region is a year-round holiday destination. Located on the east coast of the North Island, the landscapes of Hawke's Bay begin with the high, forested Ruahine and Kawkeka Ranges. From the mountains the land sweeps down towards the coast, flattening out to become the Heretaunga Plains. A number of wide rivers, excellent for fishing, run swiftly to meet the blue Pacific Ocean and glorious beaches which stretch from Mahia in the north to Porangahau in the south.
Hawke's Bay is the country's oldest winemaking region and is New Zealand's leading producer of award-winning red wines. Hawke's Bay is also home to a world-class concentration of Art Deco architecture, fresh local produce and artisan food producers complemented by a vibrant arts scene and a rich Maori culture.
The region offers a diverse range of things to see and do from families enjoying the sun on the golden sand beaches, crystal clear rivers to explore, swimming with dolphins and the largest most accessible mainland Gannet colony in the world to name just a few. There's also hunting and fishing, 20 local golf courses to challenge you and 17 heritage trails to explore.
Northern Hawke's Bay is a popular destination for outdoor adventure. The rivers and coastline offer well-recognised trout fishing and excellent seafood with whitebait spots, deep sea fishing, surfcasting and underwater fishing all available. Wairoa is the main town of Northern Hawke's Bay and is the gateway to Lake Waikaremoana, Mahia Peninsula and the wilderness of Te Urewera National Park. If you want to get close to nature without tramping visit Cape Kidnappers, home to one of the largest, most assessable mainland gannet colonies in the world.
Church Road TOM Experience
Founded in 1897 on the same site it stands on today, Church Road is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand with 125 years of
winemaking experience.
Whilst there, discover an iconic range of Church Road TOM, through an intimate wine flight experience within the atmospheric surroundings of an underground museum. Reflecting the exceptional Hawke’s Bay terroir, considered viticulture and masterful winemaking, these wines are only produced during outstanding vintages using superior parcels of fruit, to craft wines that show exceptional character and quality. Be expertly guided through current and back vintage TOM wines as you explore the philosophy and character of this flagship range while enjoying selectively matched canapes. Learn some secrets in the ultimate personal tribute to the founder, Tom McDonald, who was a key innovator in the creation of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry.
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers Dining
Dining at Cape Kidnappers is a unique experience. Enjoy gourmet award-winning cuisine in the Wine Cellar, indoor conservatory the ‘Loggia,’ the small dining room or ‘The Snug.’ Utilizing fresh New Zealand produce as well as the finest lamb, beef and seafood, head chef Tim Pickering will leave you wanting more. Rosewood Cape Kidnappers prides themselves on making as much as possible from scratch. From cereals, cookies, breads, jams, exquisite pastries and ice cream everything that comes out of the kitchen is handmade on site.
Walking tracks in and around Hawkes Bay
There are some excellent walks in and around the Hawkes Bay region. The information below is provided by the Department of Conservation. Listed below is a selection of short walks but check with the Department of Conservation information center for weather conditions, track suitability, and conditions first.
Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve Tracks
Discover Te Ana or Tangoio Falls on a short, easy walk suitable for kids, or take a longer walk through native bush on the Tangoio Walkway.
Distance: 2 - 4.4 km one way. Completion Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on which track you choose.
White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve
Experience New Zealand's remaining coastal forest on these short, easy walks that are good for children.
Distance: 1.6 km loop. Completion Time: 40 minutes.
Ahuriri Estuary
View a community of wading birds, fish, mud dwellers, and aquatic plant life from the estuary track and boardwalk. Over 70 species of resident and migratory waterbirds use the estuary as a feeding and resting area.
Distance: 2.8 km one way. Completion Time: 1 hour.
Te Mata Park
Te Mata Park has a rich human and geological history and is home to a range of unique plants and native birds. The park has five different walking options varying in difficulty and distance.
Distance: 1.3 km - 5.4 km. Completion Time: 40 minutes - 1 hour 15 minutes.
Lake Tūtira
There are two main walks at Lake Tūtira, a short walk along the edge of the lake or a longer loop through the reserve. Both offer great views of the lake as well as native and introduced plant species.
Distance: 1.3 km - 5.4 km. Completion Time: 40 minutes - 1 hour 15 minutes.
Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui Walking Track
Follow the beach from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers/Te Kauwae-a-Māui alongside cliffs that show fragmented fault and tilt lines, recording the gradual rise of New Zealand. Black Reef is the first gannet nesting site, 7.5 km from Clifton. A 1 km climb takes you from the shelter on the beach to a benched area on the hill where you can view the second colony and spectacular views of Hawke's Bay. Distance: 19 km loop. Completion Time: 5-hour return.
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