Napier/Hawke's Bay and East Coast Overview

The East Coast of New Zealand is a sun blessed region and receives most sunshine hours annually across the entire country. No surprise it is also one of the largest wine regions in the country, and there's no shortage of world class wine to sample on a variety of available wine tours.

Beautiful beaches can be found all along the East Coast, and as the first place to see a new day in the world, the sunrises on show every morning are devastatingly spectacular. Inland you'll find towering forested hills in the Kaweka and Raukumara Forest parks, and a little more inland the majestic Te Urewera Park, taking you back in time with ancient and enchanting forests.

The East Cape is a scenic, isolated and little known region in the North Island where the pace of life is laid back and the settlements are predominantly Maori. The drive around the Cape offers magnificent views of the wild coast dotted with little bays, inlets and coves that change their mood together with the weather. For a unique, remote experience off the main tourist trail, this is a must place region to visit in New Zealand.

Lying on sweeping Hawke's Bay, Napier is famously known for its Art Deco architecture, and much of the city centre is decorated with the distinctive Art Deco design. The city has a vibrant cafe culture and is a great way to appreciate the unique style of the surrounding buildings. Some of the top wineries in the region are also found within a few kilometers from the city limits.

Things you shouldn't miss in East Coast - Napier/Hawke's Bay

Needless to say that you really should sample some world class wine in the region!
Drive around the East Cape and experience the real New Zealand.
Be the first in the world to see a new day and catch a sunrise.
Hiking in Te Urewera Park, also the home of one of the New Zealand great walks, the Lake Waikaremoana track.
Surfing the beaches north of Gisborne, offering some of the best waves in the country.
Spend some time in Napier's City Centre with its Art Deco architecture.
A drive up to Te Mata Peak, with sweeping views of the Bay and the Kaweka Ranges to the east.