10 Ways to Make the Most of Summer in Hawke’s Bay

1. Cycle the Many Hawke’s Bay Trails

Hawke’s Bay offers both challenging and very easy cycle trails. On the easy end of the spectrum enjoy the Water Ride for coastal scenery, rivers and wetlands, Landscape Ride for vineyards and views towards the Pacific Ocean or the Wineries Ride between cellar doors in the Bridge Pa area, all outlined in our guide to Mountain Biking in Hawke’s Bay.

There’s also The Big Easy cycle event that takes place annually around Easter that anyone of any fitness level can take part in.

Check out more events to look out for in The Top New Zealand Events & Festivals.

For something more challenging, check out the mountain bike parks as outlined in our guide, Mountain Biking in Hawke’s Bay.

© Hawke's Bay Tourism

2. Catch One of the Hawke’s Bay Summer Events

Hawke’s Bay is teeming with events every summer with the wineries hosting music festivals to all sorts of sporting events. A hot annual favourite is the Art Deco Festival every February with outdoor concerts, vintage car parades, fashion shows, dining experiences, Great Gatsby picnics and more.

Wine lovers should look out for the Bridge Pa Wine Festival, where participating wineries offer tastings, food and live entertainment across the Bridge Pa Triangle wine district.

There’s also Beer Appreciation Day in March to round out the summer season.

© Art Deco Trust - Hawkes Bay Tourism

3. Golf at Cape Kidnappers

Ranked as one of the top 40 best golf courses in the world, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course is a must-visit for anyone that has any interest in golf. The 18-hole, par-71 course designed by Tom Doak sits high above the Pacific Ocean, with fairways crossing ridge-and-valley terrain before reaching dramatic cliff-edge holes around 140 m (459 ft) above sea level.

The course is challenging, but multiple tee positions let golfers choose a distance suited to their ability. Practice facilities, a golf shop, locker rooms and premium rental clubs are all available (you can play without lugging a full set of equipment around).

For those that cannot afford this kind of luxury, Hawke’s Bay is home to over 20 other golf courses that will be more affordable and make for a great day out.

Some are listed in the 20 Best Golf Courses in New Zealand.

© Jacob Sjoman - Tourism New Zealand

4. Walk and Hike in the Wilderness

The Hawke’s Bay hiking tracks are, in most cases, easy to access and very well maintained. Summer’s extended daylight hours give you more time to explore the forests, ranges and lakes that surround the region.

For an accessible overnight tramp, the Sunrise Track in Ruahine Forest Park leads to Sunrise Hut at 1,280 m (4,199 ft). The well-formed track takes around two to three hours each way, with approximately 600 m (656 yards) of climbing (hut bookings required).

Kaweka Forest Park offers everything from the 30-minute Little’s Loop Track to overnight routes like the Te Puia Hut Track and Mangatainoka Hot Springs.

For a longer adventure, the 46 km (29 mi) Lake Waikaremoana Track, one of the 10 New Zealand Great Walks, takes three to four days and requires advance accommodation and transport bookings.

For more information, check out 10 Wonderful Walks in Hawke’s Bay.

© Tourism Eastland Inc - Tourism New Zealand

5. Raft the Mohaka River

Head into the heart of the North Island for a scenic rafting adventure on the Mohaka River with Raft Fish NZ. This family-friendly trip takes you down grade 2 rapids while surrounded by native birdsong and lush wilderness.

The experience includes a fascinating narrative covering 80 million years of geological and cultural history, from pre-European Māori times to the present day.

A homemade lunch is provided after your rafting session. All safety gear and rafting equipment is supplied; just bring bathers, a towel and sunscreen.

© NZPocketGuide.com

6. Relax on Pristine Beaches

The Hawke’s Bay coastline is dotted with what seems to be hundreds of tiny beaches, most of which are totally safe to swim in, while others have decent surfing waves. Some are more popular than others, like Ocean Beach north of Hastings.

Further south, you’ll find Kairākau Beach, framed by steep cliffs and offshore rocks.

Nearby Mangakuri Beach offers a more rustic coastal setting. Pourerere Beach stretches for kilometres with plenty of sand, a lagoon popular with families, and great camping options.

For beach inspiration, check out 10 Beautiful Beaches in Hawke’s Bay.

© NZPocketGuide.com

7. Ride a Horse in the Countryside

The picturesque region begs to be explored by any means possible. You’ve hiked, you’ve biked, now it’s time to horse trek.

Boutique Horse Treks in Clive offers private experiences for one to three riders, taking you through beaches, rivers and wine country. The small-group format works well whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the saddle.

Further inland, Mohaka River Farm Horse Treks near Te Haroto follows rolling farmland, forest tracks and river crossings. Treks can be adapted to suit different confidence levels, with options including hilltop picnics and longer backcountry rides.

© NZPocketGuide.com

8. Sample Hawke’s Bay Wines

Relaxing among the vines with a wine in hand is a classic way to spend summer in Hawke’s Bay. Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s oldest wine region, presenting a diverse range of varietals to try across its more than 100 wineries.

Explore family-run producers and nationally recognised estates spread across areas like Bridge Pa, Gimblett Gravels, Havelock North and the coast.

Visit Craggy Range beneath Te Mata Peak, discover New Zealand’s oldest winery at Mission Estate, sample regional wines at Church Road, or compare varietals at Smith & Sheth Heretaunga Wine Studio in Havelock North.

Either visit them independently by following the 10 Best Wineries in Hawke’s Bay or let someone else worry about the driving and guiding on a wine tour with Prinsy’s Tours, Vines and Views Tours or Hawkes Bay Scenic Tour.

© Black Rose - Hawke's Bay

9. … Or Work in a Vineyard as the Ultimate Hawke’s Bay Summer Job

Because every backpacker and working holidaymaker is on a tight budget, you’ll probably have to get working at some point. But working doesn’t have to mean being stuck in a city.

What about working in a stunning vineyard surrounded by spectacular mountain ranges or picking fruit in sun-drenched orchards? You’ll learn how to create the liquid gold otherwise known as the award-winning Hawke’s Bay wines!

A valid working holiday visa allows you to take on casual seasonal employment (although conditions vary between nationalities and you can’t accept permanent roles under this visa).

Summer orchard work is particularly common throughout Hawke’s Bay. From January through February, you’ll find thinning and picking work involving apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, apples and pears across Central Hawke’s Bay.

See if we have any vineyard or orchard work listed on our job listings page.

© NZPocketGuide.com

10. Check Out the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market

One of the biggest summer events in Hawke’s Bay every week is the Hawke’s Bay Farmers Market. The market can be found in Hastings every Sunday morning from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Summer is an especially good time to visit, with plenty of seasonal fruit and vegetables freshly harvested and sold directly by the local growers. You’ll also find meat, bread, eggs, cheese, preserves and ready-to-eat food from local producers.

Arrive early for the best selection, then grab breakfast or brunch and enjoy the live music. There’s nothing like sitting down with a real fruit ice cream, mingling with locals and picking up some tasty souvenirs from New Zealand.

Parking, bicycle racks, toilets and ATM machines are all available on-site.

© NZPocketGuide.com