You’ll find lots of things to full the itinerary at Hawkes Bay, with lots of nature walks, cool playgrounds, beaches and bike tracks. If you’re looking for awesome lookouts that will take your breath away, they’ve got plenty of those too, Te Mata Peak is an absolute stunner with its rolling hills and beautiful countryside. Stroll down Marine Parade and take your pick, pools, golf or bike track? It’ll be hard to pull them away but when you do you’ll know they’ve had one awesome day. Head over to Splash Planet for a full day of family fun. Once it’s time to wind down make sure you try some of Hawkes Bays wine, they’re known for making the good stuff. There are so many great things to do in Hawkes Bay to full up the itinerary, the hard part is choosing!
Marine Parade
Stroll down Marine Parade and you’ll find so many activities that the kids will love. There are also great cafes and restaurants to head to when you’re ready to eat. Marine Parade offers:
- bike pump track
- junior bike track
- bike hire
- National Aquarium
- playground
- Bay Skate skate park
- gardens
- mini golf
- i-Site visitor centre
- ocean viewing platform
- ocean spa pools
Lookouts
Te Mata Peak – watch the sun go down from the best view in Hawkes Bay. Enjoy the 360 views of Hawkes Bay, the rolling mountains are absolutely picturesque and on a clear day you may even be able to spot Mount Ruapehu.
Bluff Hill lookout – take in the views of the city and the port and check out the forklift and logging trucks in action. Ships, trucks and trains, they’ll love it.
Cape Kidnappers – you can see the gannets at Cape Kidnappers from September to April. Choose either an overland experience with Gannet Safaris Overland or opt for a tractor ride along the beach with Gannet Beach Adventures. If you’re a keen hiking family you’ll love to know that you can also walk the 8km (4-5 hours return) along the coast but check the tide times before you go.
Bike / Skate
Junior Bike track, Marine Parade – this bike track is great for the younger kids, it’s nice and flat and they’ll love zooming around on real roads, complete with traffic lights and crossings.
Fish bike – the best way to explore the Napier waterfront is by bike and if you haven’t brought yours, you needn’t worry because Fish Bike has you covered. The tracks along the beach are flat and well maintained for an easy and fun ride while enjoying the beautiful waterfront.
Bay Skate – if the kids are into the skate park scene they’re going to love this place. Bring your own wheels or hire some skates from them.
Pools
Ocean Spa – enjoy a dip in these pools while checking out the amazing sea views. Ocean Spa has something for everyone with lap pools to toddler pools and is a great outdoor spa for families.
Splash Planet – being New Zealand’s only water themed park, this is not to be missed! The whole family will enjoy a full day out floating down the lazy river, hooning around in the bumper boats, sliding down one of the many slides or hanging out on Toddler Island or Tiny Town.
Morere Hot Springs – set amongst native rainforest, relax in the natural and therapeutic water from Morere Hot Springs. They have hot and cold pools as well as a children’s pool. You can also wander through the native forest on one of the walks, the shortest only taking 20 minutes.
Walks
Te Mata Peak Tracks – run, walk or mountain bike through 99 hectares of beautiful parkland with walks to suit everyone, the Redwood forest is not to be missed! The views from this place is breathtaking.
Pekapeka Wetlands – walk along the wetlands and learn a bit of history on the way.
Boundary Stream Walks – the Bell Rock loop track takes you to the top of the mountain range with impressive views. 3hr return.
Lake Waikaremoana – a 46km, 3-4 day walk – this is one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. Possible to walk in single sections by water taxi and worth checking out.
Onepoto Caves Track – a two-hour return walk exploring caves – don’t forget to bring a torch. If you’re planning on sticking around, the Lake Waikaremoana Holiday Park is a great spot.
Mahia Peninsula Scenic Reserve Track – a 2 hour, 30-minute loop track to various lookouts over the rugged coast.
Lake Tutira Walkway Long Loop – you may have seen the picturesque Lake Tutira while driving along SH2 and this walk gives you the chance to get closer. Walk to Table Mountain Trig (487m) and enjoy the views from the top. Time: 4-5 hours.
Nikau Loop Track – full of nikau palms, take your togs and relax in one of the pools.
Te Puia Lodge, Kaweka Forest Park – a 26 bunk hut right by the Mohaka River, a great place to cool off in the summer months or catch a trout for dinner. It’s just a 2-3 hour walk to the hut and from the hut it’s just a 45-minute walk to the Mangatainoka Hot Springs. Location: start at Makahu Road.
Mangatutu and Mangatainoka Hot Springs, Kaweka Forest Park – two baths surrounded by wooden decking and hot springs that can be reached individually by walking tracks.
Mt Kuripapango – this is an advanced walk for older kids. The track zigzags you up to the top of Mt Kuripapango (1250 meters) on a 2-3 hour hard but rewarding walk. The views are spectacular.
Waterfalls:
Shine Falls – walk 1.5 hours to this stunning 58m waterfall, Hawkes Bay’s most spectacular waterfall.
Maraetotara Falls – the waterfalls are beautiful and if you dare, go for a swim in the cold yet refreshing waters. Just a short 20-minute walk.
Beaches
Ahuriri Beach – a great beach for the kids to swim and play at. Walk to the shops for some fish and chips.
Waipatiki Beach – with towering cliffs to each side and surrounded by kilometres of farmland lies a small but beautiful beach which is great for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding and fishing but watch for rips. It also has a freshwater stream that is great for kids that are content with just getting their feet wet or bring some floaties and float down or throw the beach ball around. There are many coastal and bush walks from here that are also worth exploring.
Ocean Beach – if you can, watch the sun come up and check out the amazing colours.
Waimarama Beach – just 20 minutes out of Havelock North.
Mahia Beach – a great holiday spot for families, clear water, small swell, good for swimming. Head up to the Mokotahi Lookout if you’re interested.
Opoutama Beach – a great family beach, great for swimming.
Whakamahi Beach – a black pebbled surf beach that’s great for exploring and playing with the driftwood scattered across the beach.
Kairakau Beach – this beautiful beach is surrounded by big cliffs, with small rocky islands in the distance. It makes a great beach for swimming, surf casting or just wandering the beach.
Farm animals / Sea life
Funky Farm – a fantastic little farm where you can get up close and hand fed the farm animals.
Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo – city kids will love seeing the cute farm animals and they have a great selection. Pony rides and horse treks are also available. The perfect day for little ones.
National Aquarium – great for a rainy day activity but it may just be good for that as many a calling this run down, too little and not as impressive as it should be. Nevertheless, the kids will love seeing the sea life in the 1.5 million litre oceanarium tunnel and watching the penguins feed and play at Penguin Cove. If you’re looking for something more, go for a Little Penguin Close Encounter experience you won’t forget!
Playgrounds
What kid doesn’t love exploring a new playground and Hawkes Bay has plenty with Anderson Park taking the lead. Anderson Park playground is huge, whatever playground equipment you’re after, they’ve most probably got it! It’s huge and there’s so much to do. There are plenty of trees around providing lots of shade to help protect the kids from the summer heat and the toilet facilities are fantastic. Another great playground is the Marine Parade playground, they have a little and big kids area and it’s all gated off so you don’t have to worry about little one running off towards the ocean.
Mini Golf
Par2 – Have a fun game of mini golf at Par2, it’s right by the ocean.
Outdoor Experience
Out on a Lim Adventures – horse treks, eeling, duck shooting, fishing, hangi, farming or camping, choose your outdoor experience.
Wander
Napier Prison Tours – it’s the oldest prison in New Zealand, opening in 1862 and closing its doors in 1993. It has now been restored to its present state and you can walk through the jail cells, the hanging yard, the solitary confinement and the death row cells. Listen to the stories of villains, victims and heroes as you make your way through the prison. Grab a fun mugshot and get your fingerprints done to take home.
Sunken Gardens, Marine Parade – after a day full of activities I love to spend some time winding down amongst nature, it’s the perfect way to end the day. The Sunken Gardens are beautiful and a way for the kids to wander amongst it and wind down a little. There are a few water features here so bring a spare change of clothes if your kid just can’t help but get wet.
Sea Wall Murals – check out the awesome Sea Wall Murals which were painted by 50 renowned artists with the theme of conservation and the protection of our oceans. Pick up a brochure or download one before you go.
Events
Dinofest – if the kids are dinosaur fans they will love you for taking you to this. Great for kids aged 2 – 8 years old.
Longest place name
Did you know that the longest place name in the world is ‘Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu’. What a mouthful!
Eat / Drink / Taste
Rush Munro’s ice cream – High quality, premium ice cream that you are bound to love. These guys take their ice cream seriously and only use the best, natural ingredients to bring you something from the heart. Grab one on your way back from the Marine Parade and you won’t regret it.
Wine tasting – Hawkes Bay is famous for its wine so why not go wine tasting. There are plenty around and some have great kids areas.
Birdwoods – come and view the gallery, sculpture garden, eat yourself happy with a homemade lunch at the cafe then get pulled along by the kids to the old fashioned sweet shop.
Arataki Honey – explore the world of bees and honey at the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre. View the live bee displays and enjoy the free honey tasting.
Location
Want to know where everything is? Check out the map below!
Hawkes Bay is a great family destination and one that we know you’ll love, even more now that you’ve got a whole list of things to do ready whenever you need it!
Pin it, save it or print it out, this handy list of activities will become a lifesaver if you find yourself with a free day with nothing to do.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!
