Take in the fantastic views from Te Mata Peak. Seriously these are some of the best views in Hawke's Bay and well worth the slightly hairy drive up the hill.
The Hawke's Bay Farmers Market is a great place on a Sunday morning to taste a wide variety of local products. Bring your credit card as it's not for the bargain hunter!
See the other beautiful Art Deco city of Napier only 15 minutes drive away, or another unique attraction is the Gannet colony on the very tip of Cape Kidnappers — believed to be one of only two mainland gannet colonies in the world. It's a little harder to get to these days after a major slip on one of the coastal cliffs (another Global Warming event of course) but well worth it. We recommend using the professional guides as those that choose to walk there on their own do so at considerable risk (& it takes like 19 days)!
You can also find plenty of adventure in Hawke's Bay — rafting on the Mohaka River, horse trekking, hunting and trout fishing or golfing on superb courses all over the Bay.
The Hawke's Bay region also features many wineries. Some would say (as I do) it is the premier wine making region in the country. Don't be fooled by those glitzy marketing campaigns from Martinborough or those South Island destinations, Hawke's Bay is definitely "Wine Central NZ". Visit Craggy Range, Te Awa Farm, Sileni Estates, Black Barn, Te Mata Estate, Church Road and Elephant Hill to name just a few — all of which are only a short drive from Portmans Motor Lodge (half hour max), or you could take a guided wine tour, there are many to choose from and they are always fun.
Whatever you may want to do in the region, choose Portmans Motor Lodge for your next stay.
The Hawke's Bay club, at Flaxmere near Hastings, is notable for its native tree plantings, lakes and wide greens. Hastings Golf Course at Bridge Pa is a well groomed course that has hosted many national and international tournaments. Both are ranked amongst New Zealand’s best. Or really splash out and play the ultimate round at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course, consistently ranked in the top 50 courses in the world.
Cycle or walk the 200kms (or part of) the Rotary Pathway that connects Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. Enjoy beautiful coastal and landscape scenery that can only be viewed off road.
Follow the Art Trail to more than 50 galleries and artists’ studios to enjoy Hawke's Bays creative talent. See artists at work, discover new talent and pick up a memento to remember your visit.
Home to the honey bee and New Zealand’s largest beekeeping enterprise, tucked under the foothills of iconic Te Mata Peak, since 1944. Enjoy learning about the honey bee, the honey they make and how important honey bees are to our valuable land-based industries and environment.
Cool off in the summer sun and head to Splash Planet, New Zealands premier water-based theme park. Located in more than six hectares of sub-tropical gardens, the park is a whole day’s fun for thrill seekers and families, with a wide choice of rides and attractions.
Guide yourself to view the fabulous collection of Art Deco, Stripped Classical and Spanish Mission architecture the Hastings CBD has on offer, largely built after the 1931 earthquake making the region one of the most unique architectural centres in the world.
The central business area of Hastings City is compact with shoppers able to walk from one end to the other in 20 minutes, enjoying the many street art sculptures that line the route.
The busy village of Havelock North is known for its boutique shopping and is also a bustling weekend destination for coffee connoisseurs.
Frimley Park is one of the districts finest parks, providing a magnificent circular rose garden with more than 5,500 roses (I think that means rose bushes not actual flowers so that's a lot of roses).
Cornwall Park spreads over 8 hectares in an English village green environment. Situated on the edge of Cornwall Park is the authentic Chinese Osmanthus Garden. Commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the sister city relationship with Guilin, China. This garden consists of Chinese style ponds, pavilions, bridges and flora.
A mile long avenue (that's 1.6km) of Oaks planted in the 1860s, as a driveway to one of Hastings original homesteads, Oak Avenue is one of the scenic features of Hastings (I really must go take a look myself one day soon).
And of course you can’t stay in Hastings without treating yourself to a Rush Munroes Ice Cream
Handmade, batch churned ice cream made from 100% natural ingredients have become a world famous Hawke’s Bay landmark and family tradition.