Holding the AGM/Conference on a Friday means you can take advantage of the weekend to explore Hawkes Bay. You’re not limited to Napier, as many of the surrounding towns have got some great things to check out as well:
Havelock North – Boutique shopping and cafes, Te Mata Peak lookout overlooking HB; Birdwoods Gallery and Café; Arataki Honey Visitor Centre .
Hastings – Sunday Morning Farmers Market
Napier –Bluff Hill lookout ; Ahuriri -shopping and cafes, Art Deco walks
Wineries– The Mission, Church Road, Elephant Hill, Craggy Range and others
Bike Trials –bring or hire a bike to ride . Hawkes Bay has the largest easy to ride off road cycle rides in NZ
Bring your partners, make a weekend of it and see what The Bay has to offer!
Some ideas from a recent feature in the Dominion Post include:
1. Visit New Zealand’s oldest prison
Napier Prison, built in 1862, is the oldest penal complex in the country. Take a tour and learn about the prison’s most famous inmates, walk through the Hanging Yard, and look out for the ghosts who are said to haunt the area. Visit www.napierprison.com.
2. Try the region’s best wine
Hawke’s Bay has more than 100 vineyards and 70 wineries. That’s a lot of cellar doors to be knocking on. If you can only make it to one, head to Mission Estate – New Zealand’s oldest and most-visited winery. If you want to be really nosy, the winery offers twice-daily historic tours.
3. Walk around the city
Discover Napier’s famous art deco treasures and the history behind them on an Art Deco Trust walking tour. You can join one of the guided tours, or buy and download a self-guided walk brochure. If you prefer a bit more glamour, consider a private tour in a 1930s vintage car. Visit www.artdeconapier.com.
4. Check out the farmers’ market
The Napier Urban Food Market is held at Clive Square every Saturday, from 9am to 1pm. With live music, freshly roasted coffee, tasty bacon butties, and plenty of other treats, it’s the perfect place to stop for breakfast on a sunny morning.
5. Take a dip by the ocean
Head to Ocean Spa on Marine Parade and soak in the open-air heated salt water pools with a view of Cape Kidnappers. The pools are open until 10pm – perfect for a relaxing night swim.
For more ideas head to the Hawkes Bay Tourism website.