Things to do in Hawke's Bay
53 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Hawke's Bay.
See and do
- Hot pool
Hot pool · PuketitiriHidden gem
Mangatutu Hot Springs
Two free hot tubs on a bluff above the Mohaka River, with a DOC campsite beside them.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Clifton
Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
Mainland gannet colony, reached on foot at low tide or by tractor tour.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Havelock North
Te Mata Peak
Sealed road to a summit lookout, with walking and biking tracks.
- Lake
Lake · Waikaremoana
Lake Waikaremoana
Large forest-ringed lake in Te Urewera, with falls, huts and camping.
Town · Napier
Napier Art Deco quarter
The rebuilt 1930s town centre, with some of the best Art Deco buildings in the country.
Hot pool · NuhakaHidden gem
Ngā Hua o Mōrere hot springs
Salty hot pools in the rainforest on the East Coast, with bush walks up to quieter Nikau pools.
Hot pool · Morere
Morere Hot Springs
Natural hot pools in a nikau palm forest, with bush walks from the car park.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · TutiraHidden gem
Bell Rock lookout
Hill lookout in the Boundary Stream area with big views over the Mohaka valley, reached on a rough back road.
- Lake
Lake · Lake WaikaremoanaHidden gem
Lake Waikareiti walk
Well-graded two-hour return walk up to the day shelter at Lake Waikareiti in Te Urewera.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Lake WaikaremoanaHidden gem
Āniwaniwa Falls
Three-tier falls near the Waikaremoana visitor centre, on a short walk through Te Urewera.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · MahiaHidden gem
Mahia Peninsula drive
Out-and-back coastal drive with surf bays and views over Hawke Bay.
- Beach
Beach · WaipātikiHidden gem
Waipātiki Beach
Tucked-away surf beach and bush reserve north of Napier.
- Beach
Beach · WaimāramaHidden gem
Waimārama Beach
Surf beach and small village, the locals' favourite swim spot.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · WaikaremoanaHidden gem
Mokau Falls
Falls reached by a bush walk from Mokau Landing.
- Winery
Winery · Taradale
Mission Estate Winery
New Zealand's oldest winery, in a hilltop seminary with views over the plains.
- Roadside oddity
Roadside oddity · PōrangahauHidden gem
Taumata Hill (longest place name)
The hill with the world's longest place name, 85 letters on a roadside sign.
Waterfall · Waikaremoana
Aniwaniwa Falls
Cascading falls on the Aniwaniwa Stream, a short walk from the road.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Waikaremoana
Papakorito Falls
Wide curtain waterfall a short walk from SH38.
- Cave
Cave · NuhakaHidden gem
Mangaone Caves
Open-access limestone caves reached by a farmland track off Mangaone Road.
- Beach
Beach · BlackheadHidden gem
Blackhead Beach and Te Angiangi snorkelling
Quiet beach at the southern gate of Te Angiangi Marine Reserve, with low-tide walk to Aramoana.
- History
History · TaradaleHidden gem
Otatara Pa
Restored pa site above Taradale with carved gateway, palisades and coastal views.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · WairoaHidden gem
Te Reinga Falls
35 m fall where the Hangaroa and Ruakituri rivers join to form the Wairoa River.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Tarawera
Waipunga Falls
A three-step waterfall right beside the Napier–Taupō road, easy to stop for.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Havelock NorthHidden gem
Maraetotara Falls
A pretty falls and summer swimming hole in the hills behind Havelock North.
Waterfall · NapierHidden gem
Tangoio Falls
A short bush walk to a waterfall in Tangoio Scenic Reserve, north of Napier.
- Lake
Lake · TūtiraHidden gem
Lake Tūtira
Easy lakeside loop and bird-watching 30 minutes north of Napier.
- History
History · NapierHidden gem
Napier Prison
A former prison on Napier Hill you can wander through on a tour.
- Beach
Beach · WaimāramaHidden gem
Ocean Beach (Hawke's Bay)
Long, wild surf beach south of Cape Kidnappers.
Walk · MorereHidden gem
Morere Scenic Reserve walks
Easy bush walks through nikau palms above the hot springs.
- Beach
Beach · MahiaHidden gem
Opoutama Beach
Calm beach at the turn-off to Mahia Peninsula.
- Beach
Beach · MahiaHidden gem
Mahia Beach
Long sandy beach and the main settlement on the peninsula.
- Town
Town · Napier
Ahuriri waterfront
Napier's harbour-side village with cafes, bars and the estuary.
- Activity
Activity · Napier
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Aquarium on Marine Parade with kiwi and local marine life.
- Town
Town · Havelock North
Havelock North village
Foodie village with cafes, galleries and wine at the base of Te Mata Peak.
Roadside oddity · WairoaHidden gem
Wairoa Lighthouse
A 1870s lighthouse that now stands on the Wairoa riverfront.
Activity · Hastings
Splash Planet
Hastings water park and amusement park, with a play park, mini golf and train. Summer season.
- Walk
Walk · TūtiraHidden gem
Lake Waikōpiro loop
A 20 minute family loop around a small lake with native plants and wildlife.
- Walk
Walk · TūtiraHidden gem
Opouahi Scenic Reserve
A 40 minute walk around a small lake inside the fenced Opouahi kiwi crèche.
- Walk
Walk · WaimaramaHidden gem
Mohi Bush
Small podocarp reserve in the hills behind Ocean Beach, a good place to spot a rifleman.
- Walk
Walk · TutiraHidden gem
White Pine Bush
Two short loops through 19 hectares of kahikatea forest beside SH2, with nikau and a small waterfall.
- Walk
Walk · Ashley ClintonHidden gem
Monckton Scenic Reserve
Short forest walk with tui and bellbirds, picnic area and swimming on Tangarewai Stream.
- History
History · RaupungaHidden gem
Mohaka Viaduct
95 m railway viaduct across the Mohaka River, one of the tallest in the country.
- Walk
Walk · NapierHidden gem
Rorookuri Hill walkway
Farmland loop and summit walk past two old pa sites near Napier.
- Walk
Walk · OngaongaHidden gem
A'Deanes Bush
Best remaining patch of the old Ruataniwha Plains forest, with a giant totara and evening bats.
- Beach
Beach · Te Awanga
Te Awanga Beach
Stony beach with winery cafes minutes from the coast.
Walk · Havelock NorthHidden gem
Pekapeka Regional Park
Wetland park with flat walking and biking tracks near Poukawa.
- Beach
Beach · KairakauHidden gem
Kairakau Beach
Remote Central Hawke's Bay beach with a holiday settlement.
Roadside oddity · Napier
Pania of the Reef statue
Bronze statue on Marine Parade based on a Māori legend.
- Garden
Garden · WairoaHidden gem
Waiatai Scenic Reserve
Half-hectare roadside reserve holding the biggest giant puka tree in the world.
- Lake
Lake · TinirotoHidden gem
Tiniroto Lakes
Landslide-dammed lakes beside Tiniroto Road, known for trout fishing.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · WairoaHidden gem
Whakamahi Lagoon
Tidal lagoon south of the Wairoa river mouth, good for birds, driftwood and surfcasting.
Museum · WairoaHidden gem
Wairoa Museum
Small local museum on the Wairoa main street.
- History
History · Hastings
Hastings Clock Tower
The Art Deco clock tower in the middle of Hastings.
Food stops
- Ice cream
Ice cream · Hastings
Rush Munro's Ice Cream Garden
Hastings ice cream institution making scoops since the 1920s.
- Ice cream
Ice cream · Hastings
Rush Munro's Ice Cream Gardens
Hawke's Bay's best-known ice cream shop, trading since 1926.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Havelock NorthHidden gem
Te Mata Cheese
Cheese shop and tastings in Havelock North, good for a picnic plate.
- Restaurant
Restaurant · NapierHidden gem
Pirimai Chippy
Neighbourhood fish and chip shop that keeps winning local best-of lists.
Places to stay
Campground · WaikaremoanaHidden gem
Rosie Bay campsite
Free lakeside campsite in a secluded bay on Lake Waikaremoana.
Campground · Lake Waikaremoana
Waikaremoana Holiday Park
DOC-run lakeside camp at Lake Waikaremoana in Te Urewera, with cabins and kayaks nearby.
Backcountry camp · Te Urewera
Maraunui Campsite
This campsite is on the Lake Waikaremoana Track.
Backcountry camp · Te Urewera
Korokoro Campsite
This campsite is on the Lake Waikaremoana Track.
Backcountry camp · Te Urewera
Waiharuru Campsite
This campsite is on the Lake Waikaremoana Track next to Waiharuru Hut.
Backcountry camp · Te Urewera
Waiopaoa Campsite
This is a campsite on the Lake Waikaremoana Track next to Waiopaoa Hut.
Campground · Waikaremoana
Mokau Landing campsite
Large grassy DOC campsite beside the lake with boat launching.
Campground · KuripapangoHidden gem
Kuripapango campsite
Riverside camp on the Napier-Taihape road, popular with trout anglers and mountain bikers.
- Lodge
Lodge · MōrereHidden gem
Mōrere Lodge cabins and cottage
Self-contained cabins and a 1920s shepherd's cottage a three-minute walk from Mōrere Hot Springs.
Holiday park · MāhiaHidden gem
Māhia Beach Resort
Camping and cabins opposite a safe swimming beach on the Māhia Peninsula.
- Campground
Campground · Clifton
Clifton Motor Camp
Beachside camp at the start of the Cape Kidnappers walk.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Bay View
Napier Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Quiet 9-acre beachfront park north of Napier with its own cafe and EV chargers.
- Freedom camping
Freedom camping · PorangahauHidden gem
Te Paerahi Beach freedom camping
Council freedom camping beside the recreation reserve at Te Paerahi, with toilets and water.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Hastings
Hastings Top 10 Holiday Park
Central Hastings park with a pool and spa, next to Splash Planet.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · NapierHidden gem
Westshore Holiday Park
Fenced, sheltered park beside the Ahuriri estuary bird reserve, minutes from Napier's Art Deco centre.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · WaipawaHidden gem
River's Edge Holiday Park
Small, cheap family-run park by the Waipawa River with 50 powered sites.
- DOC campsite
DOC campsite · Kaweka Forest Park
Cameron Campsite
A basic campsite beside the Ngaruroro River and the Napier-Taihape Road.
DOC campsite · Kaweka Forest Park
Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite
This is a popular camping, picnic and fishing spot, and a starting point for tramping, hunting or day walks up the Mohaka River and into the Kaweka Forest Park.
DOC campsite · Waikari River area
Waikari River Mouth Campsite
This is a basic campsite in the Hawke's Bay region. Beside the Waikari River, this grassy campsite is a 10 minute walk to the beach for swimming, fishing and boating.
DOC campsite · Te Urewera
Orangihikoia Campsite
Camp in a remote setting north of Te Taita A Makoro campsite, and go hunting, walking or fishing.
DOC campsite · Tūtira area
Lake Tūtira Campsite
Camp at the southern end of the freshwater lake, and walk to Table Mountain Trig for views of inland Kaweka, Maungaharuru Range and coastal Hawke’s Bay. Enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking and sailing on the lake.
Backcountry camp · Mōhaka River area
Everetts Campsite
This is a basic campsite in the Hawke's Bay area. Vehicle access is closed, but you can still enter on foot or bike.
DOC campsite · Mōhaka River area
Glenfalls Campsite
You need a certified self-contained vehicle to use this basic campsite in the Hawke's Bay area.
DOC campsite · Te Urewera
Te Taita A Makoro Campsite
This is a basic campsite in the Te Urewera area. Camp by a stream, hunt, walk or relax.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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