Local Attractions

Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine region. Mission Estate Winery which was New Zealand’s first winery and Church Road Winery (see picture) which was established not long after are located in Taradale, Napier.

The region has over 70 wineries, 40 with cellar doors offering tastings and a la carte dining.

Hawke’s Bay has some fantastic Wine Tours on offer or you can do your own leisurely tour by car or cycle around a selection of wineries. Enquire at reception about wine tour bookings and our friendly staff can help you.

Ahuriri is just a five-minute drive from downtown Napier or from our Park. This bustling historic seaside village offers everything from a sandy beach and expansive boardwalk to waterfront cafes and restaurants, galleries, antique treasure houses, boutique stores and thriving businesses.

Napier had to be completely rebuilt after it was demolished by the massive 1931 earthquake. The city is now renowned for being the “Art Deco Capital” due to the immense number of buildings with the art deco influence as it was the architecture of the time. Napier is a beautiful city with no obtrusive high rises which makes for spectacular views over the city to Cape Kidnappers from look out points such as Bluff Hill.

Napier’s water front, Marine Parade also features beautiful art deco designs for the community and visitors to enjoy such as the Sound Shell where there are often events / concerts held and the fountains which at the time represented a dawn of a new, modern age.

Twice each year Napier has an Art Deco festival where you will feel like you have travelled back in time. You will see 1930’s clad people, vintage cars, steam train, tea parties in the gardens, dancing at the sound shell and many more great activities.

This wonderful city can be taken in all year round by a walking tour with the Art Deco Trust where you can learn all about the amazing history behind each of the buildings.

Thanks to the hardworking teams of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, with the vision of Napier Rotary Club, the support of Napier City Council and Hastings District Council and their urban city iWay networks, Hawke’s Bay is the land of hundreds of cycle trails!
The Hawke’s Bay Trails are the sum of three concept rides: the Water Ride, the Wineries Ride and the Landscapes Ride. Open all year round, nearly 200kms of mostly off-road trails crisscross the plains and main rivers, linking many of the sights and delights in Napier. The Northern point of the cycleway can be accessed from Snapper Park and offers a huge stretch of lovely coastal scenery along Bay View, Westshore beaches, Ahuriri and Marine Parade. It’s a nice smooth, flat pathway so is an excellent surface for walking, running or cycling.

The Cape Kidnappers and Ocean Beach Wildlife Reserve is the largest wildlife restoration project in New Zealand. The Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve is managed by the Department of Conservation for the purpose of protecting the gannet nesting sites.

The 13 hectare reserve includes the Saddle and Black Reef gannet colonies. Both are closed to public access, however the Black Reef colony can be viewed from the beach. The Plateau colony is the main place for viewing the nesting gannets where there are also good panoramic views from this elevated headland.

There are spectacular geological cliff formations on the coast to Cape Kidnappers. Talk to our friendly staff at reception about booking a Gannet Tour.

400 metres above sea level Te Mata Peak offers terrific panoramic views to the Rangers & Cape Kidnappers. There are nature trails leading up the Peak, great for hikers & mountain bikers.

There is a wonderful Maori legend behind the rugged peak, often referred to as “the sleeping giant”, of a tribal leader “Te Mata” who died while demonstrating his love for a woman on the opposing tribe by attempting to bite a gap between the coast and the plains so that the people would no longer be separated by them.

Te Mata Peak can be found 25 minutes from Napier Beach TOP 10 out the back of Havelock North.

Wander at leisure around the market, listening to local music and discovering the diverse range of products grown and produced in Hawke’s Bay – from hand-made cheeses, breads, ice-cream, chocolates and meat products to seasonal fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.

Enjoy hot freshly roasted coffee and a choice of breakfast fare while you take in the live music and the smells of cooking. There is no fresher place to shop for a wide range of local foods.

Splash Planet in Hastings City is New Zealands only water based theme park set in 6.5 hectares of attractive park surroundings in Hastings. The park features slides, pools and motorised rides catering for all ages from toddlers to teens to the ‘young at heart’. No matter your age, it’s a fantastic family destination.

Rides & Attractions include: Master Blaster (indoor, heated waterslide), Sky Castle Screamer, Sky Tunnel & Super Cruiser, Never-Ending River, Toddler’s Pool, Pirate Fortress, Bumper Boats, Paddle Steamer, Pirate Ship, Formula Fun Racing Cars, Mini Golf, Jungle Jeeps, Beach Volleyball, Fantasyland Express Train, Indoor Heated Pools and Tiny Town.

Hastings District includes the city of Hastings and covers the area from Cape Kidnappers, across the Tuki Tuki Valley and Te Mata Peak to the Heretaunga Plains. It really is the “fruit bowl” of Hawke’s Bay and boasts numerous wineries and foodie options. Hastings is approx a twenty-minute drive from our park. The Northern point of the cycleway can be accessed from Snapper Park and offers a huge stretch of lovely coastal scenery along Bay View, Westshore beaches, Ahuriri and Marine Parade. It’s a nice smooth, flat pathway so is an excellent surface for walking, running or cycling.

Havelock North is a five-minute drive east from Hastings City, and approx 20 minutes from Napier, 25 minutes from our Park. It offers boutique shopping, a thriving café culture, and scenic views from Te Mata Peak.

This website contains the most comprehensive list of Hawkes Bay activities, attractions and places to wine and dine. If you’re looking for something to do, then this is the site for you to browse!