Scenic Highlights

Top Hawke's Bay scenic highlights

The horizon tumbles down from the mountains to the sea, promising every kind of scenery. Charge up your camera and explore the landscape - the gentle climate delivers clear, photogenic days in every season.

Selected highlights at a glance

A landscape lined with vineyards, orchards and lavender fields

Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's second largest wine producing region. It is particularly well known as the leading producer of award-winning red wines. Drive or bike around the vineyards, or join one of the professional tours operated by experienced wine guides.
Lavender gardens, orchards and olive plantations grow peacefully under the Hawke's Bay sun. Browse roadside opportunities to pick fruit, smell the flowers and sample the local delicacies.

Climb to the top of Te Mata Peak

Te Mata Peak towers 400 metres above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru Ranges and Cape Kidnappers. The volcano Ruapehu is also visible in the distance. There are a number of walking trails through the Te Mata Peak Trust Park.

According to Maori legend, Te Mata's hillscape is a sleeping giant. The story goes that the people of the Heretaunga Plains, who lived in fear of the coastal tribes of Waimarama, arranged for the beautiful maiden Hinerakau to capture the heart of Te Mata, the giant leader of the Waimarama tribes. The plan succeeded, but she too fell in love.

However, the people of Heretaunga wanted revenge for years of trouble with the Waimarama tribes. They demanded that Hinerakau make Te Mata prove his devotion by biting through the hills between the coast and the plains, so that people could come and go with greater ease.

Te Mata died proving his love and today his half-accomplished work can be seen in what is known as The Gap or Pari Karangaranga (echoing cliffs). His prostrate body forms Te Mata Peak.

Lake Tutira Wildlife Refuge and country park

Lake Tutira is 40 kilometres north of Napier. An island on the lake houses a bird sanctuary and wildlife refuge - a fitting memorial to Herbert Guthrie-Smith, the former owner of the land, who played a major role in alerting the public to the needs of conservation. There is good swimming in the lake and excellent trout fishing where a stream flows into its northern reaches. For centuries, Maori seasonally lived by Lake Tutira and you can see the remains of six pa sites. The Tutira Walkway passes through Tutira Station and the adjoining Lake Tutira Domain. There are splendid views of coastal Hawke's Bay from Table Mountain Trig.

Discover the backcountry

The Kaweka Conservation Park, which rises to 1724 metres above sea level, is a wilderness playground for those who like rugged hiking and 4WD explorations. The park will test your outdoor skills, but reward you with some of the best hiking, hunting and fishing in the country. The hidden valleys and clearings are frequented by sika and red deer, and you will discover brown and rainbow trout fishing pools that few have ever found. Talk to the local Department of Conservation office before you venture into the park.

Cape Kidnappers

This site is special for its links to Maori culture, for its connection to Captain Cook and because it is home to the world's largest mainland gannet colony. The views are grand - sweeping right around the coastline to Mahia Peninsula in the north and to Mount Ruapehu in the west.

Cape Kidnappers was named by Captain James Cook during his first voyage in 1769. Local Maori tried to kidnap his Tahitian cabin boy from his ship, believing him to be a prisoner in need of rescue. The young Tahitian managed to swim back to the ship after the Maori canoes were fired upon by Cook's crew.

Matariki - the Maori New Year

Matariki is the Maori name for the cluster of stars (Pleiades), of which seven are usually visible to the naked eye. They are thought of as a mother, and her six beautiful daughters.

Matariki appears in the eastern sky around the shortest day, usually mid June, marking the start of the Maori or lunar New Year.

In days gone by, Matariki's journey across the sky was closely studied to predict the success of the coming harvest. If each star stood out clearly and distinctly, a prolific season was likely.

In Hastings, Matiriki is an event that combines tradition with contemporary expressions. The week long celebration encompasses visual and performance art, special events and a spectacular night of fireworks.

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve

Te Angiangi Marine Reserve is located on the Central Hawke's Bay coast, east of Waipukurau. Low tide exposes a broad rock platform, providing access to a fascinating variety of marine life. Distinctive plants and animals include the golden limpet and large beds of Neptune's necklace. Pink coralline seaweed and eel grass can be seen; small fish, crabs, juvenile paua and kina inhabit the rock pools.