In our ‘Complete Guide’ series, we’re going to be visiting some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and getting the inside track from our GO Explore followers on the best places to stay, eat, drink, sunbathe and more. Instead of just finding out what the guidebooks tell you, find out what the locals and the travellers think when it comes to the best place to get an ice cream, the best fish and chips and the best cocktail you’ll ever taste! We’ve even recommended our top tip for the best rental car so you can explore the region in comfort and style.

If you’re looking for sunshine then the next place in our Complete Guide series is going to be right up your street. The Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand is one of the warmest, sunniest and driest in the country. Not only does this make it a great places to take a weekend break or longer, it also makes it the ideal place to grow the grapes that produce some amazing wine – notably reds. The Hawkes Bay region is famed for its cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah and the region is up there with New Zealand’s best when it comes to award-winning wines. If wine is not your thing, there is no shortage of things to do in the region from amazing wildlife to the stunning art deco architecture of Napier and Hastings to the awesome adventure activities that seem to be a fixture of most towns and cities throughout New Zealand. Anyway, it’s time to take a deep dive into the Hawkes Bay region and let you in on some of the area’s best kept secrets. Let’s GO!

Places to stay in the Hawkes Bay

The Hawkes Bay region covers a pretty big area so deciding where to stay is your first decision. Two of the most popular places to stay are Napier and Hastings – one a coastal city and another located inland. Although this one is not in the Hawkes Bay, Gisborne is also another popular spot and makes it into our list. Gisborne has the honour of being the first place in the world to see the sunrise each and every day and a trip to watch that sunrise is pretty special. Here is a lowdown on these three top spots to stay on a visit to the Hawkes Bay:

  • Napier

    Napier

    Napier is one of our favourite cities to spend a weekend and the city’s stunning architecture came about because of a natural disaster in the early 1930s. A huge earthquake struck New Zealand’s east coast, rocking Napier for over 3 minutes and

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    Napier is one of our favourite cities to spend a weekend and the city’s stunning architecture came about because of a natural disaster in the early 1930s. A huge earthquake struck New Zealand’s east coast, rocking Napier for over 3 minutes and destroying many of the city’s buildings as well as taking the life of nearly 260 people. Over the next two years the city was rebuilt reflecting the architectural styles of the time – Spanish Mission and Art Deco. What that means today is that Napier offers up something completely different to most towns and cities throughout New Zealand and is a great place to visit.

  • Hastings

    Hastings

    Also hit by the same 1931 earthquake, Hastings also has a distinctly Art Deco/Spanish Mission feel, creating a pretty unique feel about the place. Hastings is also one of New Zealand’s best wine producing regions and the climate also makes for g

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    Also hit by the same 1931 earthquake, Hastings also has a distinctly Art Deco/Spanish Mission feel, creating a pretty unique feel about the place. Hastings is also one of New Zealand’s best wine producing regions and the climate also makes for great fruit growing conditions. Orchards and vineyards surround the urban area and in the summer time you will drive past heaps of street stalls selling local fresh fruit which is amazing. If wine is your thing there are over 40 vineyards to visit which should keep you busy! A top tip is a trip to the local farmer’s market on a Sunday morning.

  • Gisborne

    Gisborne

    Although Gisborne sits just outside of the Hawke’s Bay region, it’s a popular spot on the east coast for people touring around New Zealand. It’s the first place in the world to see the sunrise and also has a reputation for great food, wine a

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    Although Gisborne sits just outside of the Hawke’s Bay region, it’s a popular spot on the east coast for people touring around New Zealand. It’s the first place in the world to see the sunrise and also has a reputation for great food, wine and surf beaches which ticks a lot of boxes as a place to stay. There is a lot of Maori heritage in and around Gisborne and old traditions are still evident in many parts of the city. Add to this that Kaiti Beach was the site of Captain Cook’s first landing in New Zealand in 1769 and there is a lot to see and do in this small seaside town.

Best accommodation in the Hawkes Bay

Once you have decided which town you are going to base yourself in, it’s time to choose some accommodation. Whether you’re looking for five star luxury hotels or a remote campground, you’re well catered for in the Hawkes Bay. We have focussed on the three main cities listed above when it comes to accommodation and threw it out to our GO Explore followers to send in their top tips for places to stay – they didn’t let us down!

The County Hotel - Napier

If you are looking for five star luxury, then The County Hotel in Napier is one of New Zealand’s finest. GO Explorers Steve and his partner stayed here and were blown away both with the awesome location in the heart of Napier but also the fantastic service, beautiful ambiance and the character of the place. The hotel definitely fits with the 1930s style of Napier and has got some quirky features but overall you definitely get the five star experience.

Bella Vista Motel - Napier

Motels are a definite staple when it comes to accommodation options in New Zealand. Every town and city has a collection of motels which are perfect for those looking for relatively cheap accommodation options which are practical and offer up a range of room types from singles to family rooms. The Bella Vista Motel in Napier is a great place to base yourself for exploring the Hawkes Bay region. Just a short walk from the city centre and Marine Parade, the motel offers free and secure parking so you can head out and explore the city on foot. Bella Vista accommodation are also one of our exclusive GO Play partners so when you hire a car with GO Rentals, you can save 10% on rooms at any of their 27 locations throughout  New Zealand. Score!

Top 10 Holiday Park - Hastings

Catering for all budgets, a top tip from GO Explorer Angela is the Top 10 Holiday Park in Hastings. Top 10 Holiday Parks are another New Zealand staple when it comes to breaks away, especially for families. The Top 10 in Hastings is set in 10 acres of beautiful park like grounds, tucked away in the centre of Hastings. The park features private spa pools and a swimming pool which is heated to 30 degrees in the winter making swimming possible here year round. There’s accommodation for all budgets here from camping sites to apartments.

Greenhill Lodge - Hastings

Hastings is choc-packed full of motels and motor lodges and these feature high on our recommendations list from our GO Explorers, however if you are looking for something a bit different, Greenhill Lodge ticks that box. This homestead features a striking entrance hall, drawing room and billiard room. There is also a separate cottage that sits adjacent to the lodge and provides a secluded hideaway for guests to enjoy. The old stables at the homestead have been converted into a gym and there is also an outdoor swimming pool and log fireplace for guests to enjoy.

Portside Hotel - Gisborne

Part of the Heritage Hotel collection, the Portside Hotel is a stunning place to base yourself in Gisborne. Located right on the water’s edge, this hotel offers understated elegance and as soon as you walk through the reception, you will feel like you are staying somewhere to write home about. The rooms have a modern, contemporary feel which is different to many of the places in Napier and Hastings and the Portside Hotel has quickly established itself as Gisborne’s most popular hotel. If you are looking for something a bit more modern, the Portside is a big favourite with GO Rentals staff.

Quest Apartment Hotels - Napier

We always try to dig out some hidden gems and the Quest Apartment Hotels are a good option as an alternative to traditional hotels in New Zealand. GO Explorer Gavin recommends the Quest Apartments in Napier as a great place to stay in the Hawkes Bay. Set in a historical building, the Quest Apartments are full of character and the customer service was outstanding. Located just a short 5 minute walk from the main shopping strip and the beach, this is an ideal location for basing yourself to explore Napier and the surrounding area of the Hawkes Bay.

Best places to eat out in the Hawke's Bay

All the way from Hastings up the east coast to Gisborne there are heaps of great places to eat out in the Hawkes Bay region. Whether you are looking for a fancy restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or you’re looking for a cheap street eat, you’re sure to find something for all occasions and budgets. Here are some of our top tips from our GO Explore fans:

Best Vineyards in the Hawkes Bay

New Zealand has some awesome wine growing regions from Marlborough and the Central Otago in the South Island to the Hawke’s Bay and Waiheke Island in the North. A trip to the Hawke’s Bay region for many offers up the opportunity to visit some of these truly stunning vineyards. Here is a list of some of our favourites:

Rent the perfect car for your adventure

Recommended vehicle for exploring Hawkes Bay

MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT

0-1 year(s) old

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is ideal for exploring the Hawkes Bay region with up to 7 seats, adaptive cruise control and 360° View Monitor.

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