Best Hawke's Bay Wine Tours & Holidays 2023/2024

Hawke's Bay has some of the world’s best Art Deco architecture and wineries galore.

Hawke's Bay in New Zealand offers visitors a triple treat: award-winning wines, world-famous architecture, and premium produce. This photogenic Hawke's Bay wine region is also within easy reach of the quaint town of Napier, home to one of the world’s largest and best-preserved collections of Art Deco architecture. There are plenty of great things to do in Hawke's Bay. Load up your picnic basket with delicious Hawke's Bay food and wine, drop into a couple of cellar doors or enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the many wineries in Hawke's Bay. Fertile soils mean this wine region has plenty of top drops to try, including award-winning merlot and chardonnay wines. You don’t have to travel far to sample them either. Many of the wineries are close together so you’ll find yourself at the next stop before you’ve even had time to ponder what wine you would like to try next.

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Highlights of Hawke's Bay

Art deco tour of Napier

Take a step back in time in Napier. Join your group for an exclusive guided walking tour to learn more about the town’s fascinating history and venture inside some of the grand buildings.

Explore Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers got its unique moniker when a crew member was kidnapped off Captain Cook’s ship but its biggest claim to fame these days is the world’s largest mainland gannet colony.

Embrace rural life

Join a local farmer for a tour of their farm and find out how the health of the soil, the animals and biodiversity has been improved, and how the farm strives for a positive impact on the land.

Napier bike tour

Work off all that food and wine with a cycle tour that takes in Napier’s best sights. Venture beyond the Art Deco of magic of downtown and take in the peaceful countryside and sparkling Pacific Ocean.

Wine tasting in Hawke's Bay

Raise a glass to Hawke's Bay on a fun group wine tour with your leader. Sample the region’s produce as you sip and graze your way around some of the best Hawke's Bay’s wineries.

Learn about Maori traditions

Uncover the stories, traditions and kaitiakitanga work of the Maori people of Hawke’s Bay as you take a journey through the lives of a local tribe and learn about the Maori way of life.

Hawke's Bay Tour Reviews

Hawke's Bay FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join an Intrepid trip in Hawkes Bay?

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 policy

How to get to Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Airport is a 10 minutes drive from Napier's city centre and 25 minutes from Hastings by car. Flights are available from major New Zealand airport hubs such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Air Napier also offers flights from the small town of Gisborne. If you are travelling to Hawke's Bay by car, it is a 90 minute drive from Taupo or a 3 hour drive from Wellington.

Getting around at Hawke's Bay

The best way to get around Hawke's Bay is either by car or joining a tour. While it is possible to explore the area using public transport, this can limit your options when it comes to which wineries you can visit and how long you can stay at each one as this depends on the bus timetable. Many rural wineries cannot be reached by public transport.

When should I visit Hawke's Bay?

Any time is a good time to visit Hawke’s Bay. This pretty wine growing region is one of the sunniest places in New Zealand and can get delightfully warm in summer. Don't be surprised if you find yourself walking around Napier in shorts and a t-shirt. The weather can get crisp in winter but temperatures seldom drop below five degrees Celcius. Autumn brings the colour of the leaves changing from green to red and gold and spring is perfect for strolling and cycling.

What should I pack for Hawke's Bay?

Clothes you can layer work best if you're travelling around Hawke's Bay as it can be quite warm in the middle of the day, even in winter. Add a jumper or jacket, wet weather gear, sunscreen, a hat and a beanie. Comfortable shoes are also a must for walking through the vineyards and strolling around Napier.

What should I wear in Hawke's Bay?

Hawke's Bay is a rural destination so people tend to dress casually. Smart casual is the norm at most restaurants, aside from the signature ones in Napier where locals dress up for a 'night on the town'.

What is the internet like in Hawke's Bay?

The is good WiFi coverage throughout most of Hawke's Bay aside from a few rural areas where the signal can be weak.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone in Hawke's Bay?

The is good mobile coverage throughout most of Hawke's Bay aside from a few rural areas where the signal can be weak.

Is Hawke's Bay accessible for travellers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid