This area of ​​the North Island east coast is well known for its more temperate climate which makes it a renowned wine point. In addition to its vineyards, Hawkes Bay is full of exceptional panoramas and atypical architectural discoveries. We had not planned to stop there, but after reflection we didn’t regret to be back on our decision. Perhaps this article will seem incomplete as we only scratched the surface of this region wonders, but we hope that our overview will convince further people.

Napier

A small town really original since the architecture style we can find there is Art Deco type. We took the time for a long walk to discover the various buildings and go further to the famous facade of the “National Tobacco Company Ltd” which is, certainly, one of the most worked.
It’s also possible to take a walk in the pretty botanical garden of the city then to go on the hill of Bluff to admire the sight on the bay, the opinions diverge here since this point of view gives on the industrial harbor area.
We also had the chance to enjoy free admission to the city museum, which houses a collection of Maori art and paintings from the cubism area. However, the most interesting part to us was the history of the city and, in particular, about the terrible 1931’s earthquake that affected the area and destroyed almost all buildings. This explains the choice of architectural style, since Art Deco was very trendy at the time of reconstruction.

Cape Kidnappers

To enjoy the most about the bay resplendent environment, we chose to hike Cape Kidnappers.

This walk of 5h is to be undertaken at low tide, so it should start 3h after high tide, not before, and schedule the return at maximum 1h30 after low tide.

Now,there is nothing more to do but to enjoy that to go along the white cliffs on sandy beaches and turquoise water background. No difficulty except the length, some 18km round trip, at the end of the hike a steep path leads to a gannets reserve. Although we already met these seabirds in Auckland region (> topic here <), and precisely in Muriwai, it’s with as much pleasure and fascination that we once again attended their ballet. The point of view is, in our view, flatter and closer, since it’s a high plateau with a view on the sea and the tip of the cape, the environment is, perhaps, more favorable to the observation.
It was, for us, a very nice walk with beautiful landscapes.

Te Mata peak

To enjoy, again, the natural environment of Hawkes Bay, but this time in a more rural way, just take a little height.

The Te mata peak is the essential region point of view, whether you are sporty or not, it’s possible to reach this summit on foot or by car to admire a 360 ° breathtaking view.

We chose to park at the main gate car park and walk up, starting with the red path then turning to the blue for the descent. On the summit, we were amazed by the scenery and the clear sky that allowed us to see up until the Tongariro National Park and the snow-capped Ruapehu Mountains, it was just amazing.

Hastings

At the end of our loop on the Te mata peak, we passed by Hastings on the way back, we went through just to say that we stopped there. We only stayed for few minutes on the stands of a gypsy market which was there for 3 days, but we didn’t linger.

Waikaremoana lake

.In order to prolong the pleasure, we pushed to the north of the region, and decided to spend one night at Waikaremoana lake. In a small bay sheltered from the world and at the edge of the clear water, a charming place where hikes abound and where there is even a trek of several days, enough to satisfy nature lovers.
We only took the path of the Onepoto caves, a small walk that takes us into the bush along faults and caves on which you can stop for many minutes. A little bit of adventure very nice.
Then we climbed the Lou’s lookout, the path also passes through a cave which makes it more pleasant, to arrive on a wooden deck overlooking the lake and offers a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Finally we took the old Maori trail, which runs through the bush and the forest, nothing really exceptional on this stretch, but we wanted to make a last ride and this path is located right next to the free camp, so ….

We originally wanted to stop at the Waipatiki beach and at the Tangoio waterfalls, but the weather situation decided otherwise, so we determined to take the road again without stopping.
Anyway, the ​​Hawke’s Bay area has a lot to offer, we only stayed a week in woofing, but it’s easy to be seduced and spend more time there.