Overview
Take a Trip to Hawkes Bay on your New Zealand Vacation
The Hawkes Bay region is located on the east coast of the North Island and is a semi-circular bay which extends 100 kilometres/60 miles. Both the coast and the interior are scenic and hilly.
It is one of the most important wine-producing regions in the country where over 70 wineries exist mainly close to the city of Napier. These exist mainly because Hawkes Bay is one of the warmest and driest regions in the country to be enjoyed during Hawkes Bay tours on a New Zealand vacation.
Napier is a seaport and tourist resort which enjoys a warm and dry Mediterranean-style climate. Due to an earthquake in 1931, the city was redesigned and became known for its Art Deco architecture. In fact, it is known as the Art Deco City and is totally different in this respect from other cities in New Zealand. One highlight is the Pania of the Reef, one of the most photographed tourist attractions on a New Zealand vacation and something akin to the Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen. Hastings, the other major city, was also affected by the earthquake and again offers examples of Art Deco and also Spanish Mission design.
For nature lovers, there are beautiful parks such as Kaweka Conservation Park, a wilderness playground in which hiking, hunting and fishing are very popular and the Ruahine Ranges which offer great hiking trails with excellent views of the surrounding countryside in New Zealand tours.
Cape Kidnappers is a sandstone headland east of Hastings which contains the largest gannet colony in New Zealand.
Cape Kidnappers is a sandstone headland east of Hastings which contains the largest gannet colony in New Zealand.
At a Glance
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English, MaoriCurrency
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)What do the experts say?
The food in New Zealand is incredible, and New Zealanders are rightly proud of their paddock to plate cuisine. Almost everything is sustainably grown and processed, from lamb and seafood to vegetables and fruit.
About 20 percent of New Zealand is made up of National Parks, Forests, and Nature Reserves. And they’re all free to enter!
The Māori cultural experiences and performances offered throughout the North and South Islands are well worth seeking out. If the opportunity presents itself, definitely take part in a hāngī
Looking for a great restaurant in New Zealand? Try The Bunker in Queenstown, Plato in Dunedin, Manu in Christchurch, and Oppies Fish & Chips in Rotorua
All Blacks rugby is huge in New Zealand. If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out a home game. The All Blacks typically play their home test matches during the months of July, August, September and sometimes October
Gannets basking in the sun at Cape Kidnappers g...
Hawkes Bay vineyard
A rainy winters day in Hawkes Bay
Surfing the break at Haumoana beach
Gannets at Cape Kidnappers gannet colony
Cape Kidnappers
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ExcellentBased on 5,147 ReviewsAlice was most helpful - full of insider suggestions.
She was a good listener and able to provide tours, routes and guides tailored to our interests. She made our February trip to New Zealand entirely wonderful.
MarleneWe did a 19 day NZ Rail and Cruise Discovery Tour and then a 12 day Australian tour put together by out specialized travel operator Joanne Palanuik.
New Zealand- ABT Tours ran the actual tour and did a fabulous job. The Guide Sharon was great and worked very hard coordinating 32 people. Mostly all Australians and we has so much fun with them! Our driver Chris (a retired policeman) was especially great- he knew so many interesting things about NZ and shared them while driving throughout the trip. We loved him! So many highlights...overnight on a ship in the Milford Sound...cable car to a nature reserve then a Gold Class train ride back...Queenstown adventures..excellent meals along the way...all drivers and transfers were excellent too.
Oceana Tours in Melbourne were great as well. A morning city tour and afternoon tour were wonderful. Then the next day to Philips Island for the Penguin moonlit march was sooo special. And the Ocean road cruise too!! Sydney was gorgeous...Bondi Beach...Barrier Reef...Ayers Rock (Uluru)
Both Australians and New Zealanders were so helpful and friendly...
In short I wish I could do it all over again..highly recommend. Every day was a new adventure :)
Kathleen Reardon
customerKatie was a dream to work with. We made many changes to the standard itinerary to customize our trip and she never missed a beat. Her responsiveness and humor made working together a joy and her most common response to our very packed activities was, “can I help with that?” Hotels, car rental all went smoothly and were very much to our liking. The super long flights were laid out to minimize travel time and maximize comfort. Katie and GoWay made this dream trip happen. FayeIts all about the journey, isn't it? And our journey through Kenya, Africa was amazing and we have Bijal Kana of Goway Travel to thank for it.
From the start when we first discussed a true Safari adventure, Bijal was being helpful. Her suggestions were helpful in where to go and how we could save a few dollars when possible. Never trying to be cheap but simply, cost conscious. This was the beginning of what will continue as a forever working relationship in travel. Bijal gained our confidence and trust. And that is a rare commodity these days.
Then too there was the staff from Goway and Sense of Africa like Ruth, Wilson and Francis who allowed us to see the non tourist side of Nairobi and became fast friends. The wonderful selections made by Bijal as to where we would stay and all the Serena locations were marvelous. And at the last minute, when a bridge got washed out and we could not get to the last lodge camp, Bijal responded to our whatsapp call immediately and we were placed in the Sorova lodge. True not the same, but in the middle of a game area, who complains? It was great and we had so much fun.
The tour selection took us through parks, reserves and conservancy locales. We saw the big 5 and much more. Lions fighting, Hyenas making a chase and ultimate dinner selection, A leopard resting on tree branches, A cheetah stalking and then at rest. Hyena pups and Honbeast babes being birthed. Hippopotamus in the water, Zebra grazing, Elephants crossing rivers en mass. You'd think we hit the National Geographic channel.
Great job Bijal. Good deal Goway.customerBram L. BottfeldGoway Travel helped us set up a Venice to Athens cruise on Viking and it was fantastic! Our agent (Kimberly) was responsive to all our questions and helpful navigating all the options for excursions, etc. She also gave us a cruise credit we could use while on the ship to help pay for extras. Overall great experience would use Goway again.StanleyFor the past four years, we have travelled to Perth, Australia to visit family. As part of our travels to Perth, we have had stays in Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland. This year, as part of our trip, we are staying in Melbourne and Adelaide. Each year, we have contacted Joanne at Goway to arrange our trip. She has booked all our flights and accommodations. She has been a wonderful source of travel locations within Australia and New Zealand. Joanne has always been very helpful. She checks on the best flights, give us ideas on airplane seat selection and locates great places to stay. She also provides ideas about what we might want to see or do at each location. Every time we contact her she is willing to provide information and answers any questions we may have. She listens to our requests, explains reasons for her suggestions, and answers any concerns we have with patience and understanding. We are so fortunate to have such a helpful, friendly individual as our travel advisor!Bob and SuePaul at GoWay made this first GoWay trip a breeze from start to finish! He was very quick to respond and created an incredible itinerary that my clients absolutely loved. From the incredible hotel location to the private tours led by knowledgeable tour guides who show that they love their jobs, it couldn't have gone better. Can't wait to Yesenia RodriguezOnce again, Goway Travel has provided us with an amazing travel experience, and the customized itinerary prepared by Joanne Palanuik was second to none. She was the main reason that Australia is a "trip of a lifetime" for us. Her attention to detail and recognizing what would make this a special trip for us is noteworthy and much appreciated.WallyI would recommend GoWay for travel anytime. I had a private tour of India built for me, after I was invited to my friend's wedding. I travelled around northern India with my driver for 10 days. I had a new guide most every day, for the trip, as we went from location to location. Absolutely everything was amazing!! I honestly can't say there was a negative moment in any of it. I felt 100% safe travelling alone with GoWay's experts. My lodgings were excellent and someone was always available for support, if need be. This was one of the best experiences of my life!!! Thank you so much GoWay!!Trudy BuelowOur trip was great and your partners in Egypt met and exceeded our expectations.
Having the guides and drivers was a new experience for us but absolutely invaluable
We would recommend Goway to anyone.joe levack
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