Why Honeymoon in Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay is one of the sunniest corners of New Zealand. The pace is gentle. You can cycle flat, well-marked trails from winery to winery with no need for a designated driver. The scenery is pastoral rather than alpine, with limestone hills, vineyards and the curve of Hawke Bay on the horizon.
It has real food credentials too. Restaurants work closely with local growers. The Sunday farmers market in Hastings is one of the best in the country.
For couples who want something more indulgent, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers a clifftop luxury lodge with a famous golf course on a working sheep station. It gives you a reason to splurge without leaving the region.
When to Go
Summer, December to February, is warm and dry with long evenings for outdoor dining. February brings Napier's Art Deco Festival, when locals dress in 1930s clothing and vintage cars fill the streets. Book well ahead if you want to be there for it.
March and April are harvest season. The vines turn gold, the wineries are busy and the weather is usually settled, making autumn a favorite for wine lovers.
The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is generally visited from about October to April, when the birds are nesting. Winter, June to August, is quieter and cooler, with some cellar doors on reduced hours. It is fine for food and wine, less so for cycling or the coast.
Where to Stay
Havelock North is the best base for most couples. It is a pretty village at the foot of Te Mata Peak, close to the Te Mata and Gimblett Gravels wineries, with good cafés and restaurants.
Napier suits couples who want Art Deco architecture, sea views from the Marine Parade and a bit of city life. Boutique hotels and character B&Bs in restored buildings are a good fit.
Vineyard cottages and luxury lodges are scattered around the countryside. The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is the top splurge. Expect roughly NZ$200–450 a night for a good boutique hotel or vineyard stay. Luxury lodges cost much more, often with meals included.
Romantic Things to Do
Rent regular or electric bikes to follow the Hawke's Bay Trails between cellar doors. Many routes are flat and off-road. Some operators will collect any bottles you buy.
Drive or walk up Te Mata Peak for sunset. The view takes in the Heretaunga Plains, the bay and on a clear day the mountains to the west.
Take a guided Art Deco walk in Napier or book a ride in a vintage car around the city's 1930s streets.
Visit Cape Kidnappers to see thousands of nesting gannets. Tours run by tractor along the beach or by four-wheel drive over the farm, depending on the tides and conditions. Check which options are running before you go.
Getting There and Around
Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) in Napier has direct domestic flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, mostly with Air New Zealand. From Auckland it is about an hour in the air.
Driving takes around five hours from Auckland, about four from Wellington and two from Lake Taupō, through the hills of the central North Island. It works well as part of a road trip.
Once here, a car or bikes are the way to get around. Distances are short: Napier, Hastings and Havelock North are all within about 25 minutes of each other. If you plan a full day of tastings, book a guided wine tour so neither of you has to drive.
Food and Drink
Wine leads the way. Look for Syrah and Bordeaux-style reds from the Gimblett Gravels district, where stony soils hold the heat. Chardonnay from across the region is also excellent. Many cellar doors charge a small tasting fee and some have excellent restaurants.
Craggy Range, at the base of Te Mata Peak, is known for its restaurant with views of the peak. Mission Estate, founded by Marist missionaries in the 1850s, is often described as the country's oldest winery and is popular for lunch.
The Hawke's Bay Farmers Market in Hastings on Sunday mornings is worth planning around. Stock up on cheese, bread, fruit and olive oil for a picnic.
Honeymoon Tips
Book lunch reservations at winery restaurants ahead of time, especially on weekends in summer. The best tables fill quickly.
Pace your tastings. Hawke's Bay reds are big and the sun is strong. Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat while cycling.
The region was badly hit by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Most tourism has recovered, but some roads, trails and coastal access points were damaged, so check current conditions with local operators.
If you are coming for the Art Deco Festival in February, book accommodation months ahead. Napier fills up and many visitors dress for the occasion, so pack a 1930s-inspired outfit if you want to join in.
