Custom Travel Itineraries to
New Zealand since 1990
Custom Travel Itineraries to
New Zealand since 1990
Hawke’s Bay sits on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, and most visitors pass through without stopping long enough to see what the region offers. That is a mistake worth correcting. From ancient geological formations to one of the world’s most accessible wildlife colonies, Hawke’s Bay rewards travelers who take the time to go beyond the obvious. These five experiences are worth building your itinerary around.
At 399 meters above sea level, Te Mata Peak gives you a view across nearly the entire region. Farmland, coastline, and the ranges to the west all come into sight from the summit. You can drive to the top if you prefer, or walk and cycle through trails that pass a small redwood forest on the way up. The peak works as a half-day excursion that fits easily into a longer Hawke’s Bay stay, and it gives you a sense of the region’s scale before you explore the rest of it.
Napier is recognized as one of the most complete Art Deco cities in the world, a distinction that surprises most first-time visitors given the city’s size. The annual Art Deco Weekend brings the architecture to life with exhibitions, live music, air shows, and vintage cars filling the streets. Walking through the downtown area during the event puts you in the middle of something genuinely rare. The weekend runs once a year, so plan ahead and book accommodation early because prices rise significantly during the event.
Cape Kidnappers is home to the world’s largest accessible mainland gannet colony, and a guided safari tour gets you close enough to watch the birds in detail. Gannets have a wingspan of nearly two meters, and you will see them glide along the cliffs and perform head movements they use to communicate with their partners. Tours run from September through April. The birds migrate to Australia outside of those months, so timing your visit to the season matters. The cliffs themselves have formed over millions of years, and the guide shares the full history of the cape during the tour, including a dramatic story about a landslide that affected previous visitors along the beach route below.
Waimarama Beach sits about 40 minutes south of Napier and offers a stretch of coastline with green hills on all sides and plenty of space. Summer brings ideal conditions for a full beach day. Swimmers and surfers both use the beach, though strong rips are present, as they are at most New Zealand beaches, so staying within flagged areas and following lifeguard instructions is important. The beach works well as a standalone day trip or as part of a drive through the southern part of the region.
Kaweka Forest Park is one of the largest protected wilderness areas in the North Island. The Te Puia Track leads through it to Mangatainoka Hot Springs, a set of natural hot pools fed by mineral water that flows directly from the ground. The walk takes two to three hours each way. The springs have no resort infrastructure around them, which is exactly what makes them worth the effort. A DOC hut with electricity and sleeping facilities sits along the route if you want to turn this into an overnight stay rather than a day hike.
Hawke’s Bay covers a lot of ground, and the best experiences here depend heavily on the time of year you visit. The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers runs September through April. The Art Deco Weekend fills accommodation fast. The hot springs at Mangatainoka reward visitors who plan the logistics in advance. Getting the timing and sequencing right makes the difference between a good trip and one you will talk about for years.
Our travel specialists have the local knowledge to put it all together for you
Explore our activities page to see more of what the country has to offer here.
This post was inspired by a travel video created by Sol. Watch the full video here.
The Best of New Zealand
Our team has been designing New Zealand trips since 1990.
We know which operators deliver the real thing, and which experiences reward being in the right place at the right time.
Air New Zealand’s New Business Premier Suite
Big news for your next trip to New Zealand. Air New Zealand is unveiling a brand new Business Premier suite for its Boeing 777 fleet, complete with lie-flat beds, sliding privacy doors, and a sleek 18-inch entertainment screen at every seat.
Read more through link in our bio.
#airnewzealand #newzealandtravel #luxurytravel #travelnz #bestofnztravel
Hawke’s Bay sits on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s North Island, and most visitors pass through without stopping long enough to see what the region offers. That is a mistake worth correcting. From ancient geological formations to one of the world’s most accessible wildlife colonies, Hawke’s Bay rewards travelers who take the time to go beyond the obvious.
These 5 experiences are worth building your itinerary around!
Read more through link in bio.
#hawkesbay #newzealandguide #napiernz #luxurytravel #bestofnztravel
At 399 meters, Te Mata Peak gives you views across farmland, coastline, and the ranges beyond. Drive, walk, or cycle to the top. Either way, the view is worth it. This is the one stop in Hawke’s Bay that puts the whole region in perspective.
#tematapeaknz #newzealandwalks
At 399 meters, Te Mata Peak gives you views across farmland, coastline, and the ranges beyond. Drive, walk, or cycle to the top. Either way, the view is worth it. This is the one stop in Hawke’s Bay that puts the whole region in perspective.
#tematapeaknz #newzealandwalks
Napier is one of the most complete Art Deco cities in the world. Once a year, the whole city commits to it. Music, vintage cars, exhibitions, and architecture that stops you mid-stride. If you time your visit right, this is an experience unlike anything else in New Zealand.
#napierartdeco #visitnapiernz #napiernz #nztouring
Napier is one of the most complete Art Deco cities in the world. Once a year, the whole city commits to it. Music, vintage cars, exhibitions, and architecture that stops you mid-stride. If you time your visit right, this is an experience unlike anything else in New Zealand.
#napierartdeco #visitnapiernz #napiernz #nztouring
Nearly two meters of wingspan, up close, with no fence between you and them. The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is the largest accessible mainland colony in the world. Tours run September through April, so the timing of your trip matters. Worth planning around.
#gannetcolonynz #birdtour
Green hills, open coastline, and enough space to feel like you have the beach to yourself. Waimarama is about 40 minutes south of Napier and one of the most scenic stretche
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From glowworm caves to glacier overnights, here are the top 10 experiences worth travelling for. Link in bio to read more!
#honeymoonexperiences #newzealandtravel #luxurytravelnz #newzealanditinerary #thebestofnz
https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/new-zealand-honeymoon-10-most-romantic-experiences/
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Read more through our link in bio.
📸 Air New Zealand
#airnewzealand #travelnewzealand #visitnewzealand #explorenewzealand #bestofnztravel
https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/air-new-zealand-to-launch-sleep-pods-in-economy-cabins/
Craggy Range Signature Gourmet Escape: Hawke`s Bay Luxury
If you`ve been dreaming of a New Zealand escape that goes far beyond a standard hotel stay, Craggy Range in Hawke`s Bay has crafted something truly special. Their Signature Gourmet Escape is a fully all-inclusive, multi-day experience that wraps world-class dining, wine, and luxury lodge living into one seamless package.
Read more through link in bio.
📸 Craggy Range
https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/craggy-range-signature-gourmet-escape-hawkes-bay-luxury/
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Read more through our link in bio.
📸 GoTekapo
#laketekapo #luxurytravelnz #newzealandvacations #nzactivites #bestofnztravel
https://thebestofnewzealand.com/travel-tips/lake-tekapo-new-zealand-what-to-do-see-experience/
Tucked at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, Wānaka packs paragliding, canyoning, jet boating, skydiving, mountain biking, and so much more into one jaw-droppingly beautiful corner of the world. Whether you’re a first-timer looking to push your limits or a seasoned adrenaline junkie, Wānaka delivers the goods every single time.
Link in bio to read more.
📸 Wanaka Paragliding
#luxurytravelnz #newzealandadventures #wanakaadventures #visitwanaka #bestofnztravel
Some places in New Zealand are simply better by boat 🛥️
From cruising through Doubtful Sound to island hopping in the Bay of Islands, exploring by water gives you access to hidden coastlines, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable views.
Ready to see New Zealand from a new perspective? Read more through link in our bio.
📸 Miles Holden
#newealandtravel #luxurytravel #discovernewzealand #adventuretravel #bestofnztravel
