📷 Photo by Charlie Charoenwattana on UnsplashHawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers
A three-day loop through Art Deco Napier, the wine country and the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.
- Distance
- 85 km (53 mi)
- Driving
- 0 h 56 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 9, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 85 km (53 mi) with 11 stops, from Napier to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. About 0 h 56 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Begin in Napier with a morning at the Bluff Hill lookout and the Art Deco quarter, where buildings from the 1930s line the streets. Pania of the Reef and the aquarium are a short walk along Marine Parade. Napier has holiday parks including Kennedy Park Resort, and parking is easy outside the busiest weekends. Book ahead for the February Art Deco festival, when rooms and sites around town fill quickly, and expect crowds on the main streets.
On day two, drive SH2 about 20 km south to Hastings, then west to the Gimblett Gravels wine district. Cellar doors lie on country roads, so plan a designated driver or a tour. The cycle trails are flat and well signed. Lunch is available at several vineyards. Check opening times, as some cellar doors close on weekdays in winter. Rural roads are narrow with no shoulder, so keep left and watch for cyclists in the vineyards.
Continue to Havelock North and take Te Mata Peak Road to the summit, a narrow and steep road of about 6 km. From the top, there are views over the plains and the coast. Avoid the road in strong wind. A track system starts at the car park for short walks along the ridge, and parking is limited on clear weekends, so go early or late in the day.
On day three, visit Cape Kidnappers, about 30 minutes south-east of Napier, where the gannet colony nests on the headland. Tours leave from Clifton or the farm gate, while walkers can go along the beach but must check the tide. The colony is best from October to February. Allow half a day and book ahead. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as there is little shade on the colony track.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Napier
New Zealand - 22 km
Bluff Hill Lookout
ViewsNapier, New ZealandA lookout on a hill above the port of Napier with views across the harbour, the town and Hawke Bay. Cruise ships and logs stacks at the port are visible below. A short drive from the centre and easy to combine with the waterfront. Come at sunrise for the best light.
- 31 km
Napier Art Deco Quarter
HistoryNapier, New ZealandThe city was rebuilt in the 1930s after the 1931 earthquake, and its centre is a dense group of Art Deco and Spanish Mission buildings. Walk the streets or join a guided tour. The Art Deco Festival takes place each February and fills the town.
- 40 km
Pania of the Reef Statue
OdditiesNapier, New ZealandA bronze statue on Napier's Marine Parade that depicts Pania, a figure from Māori legend said to have been a sea maiden. The statue is a favourite photo stop on the seafront walk. Parking lines the parade. Visit in the evening for softer light.
- 50 km
National Aquarium of New Zealand
NatureNapier, New ZealandAn aquarium on Marine Parade with native fish, penguins, kiwi and a tunnel through an oceanarium. It suits families on a wet day. A short walk from the Art Deco centre. Check the feeding times at the entrance and expect a modest entry fee.
- 65 km
Kennedy Park Resort
NatureNapier, New ZealandA large holiday park in Napier with powered sites, cabins, pools and a kitchen, within reach of the Art Deco centre and the wine areas. It is popular in school holidays and over the February festival, so book far ahead and confirm room for your vehicle length.
- 718 km
Hastings
New Zealand - 88 km
Gimblett Gravels Wine District
FoodHastings, New ZealandA stony former riverbed west of Hastings, now one of the main Hawke's Bay wine areas, known for Syrah and Cabernet blends. Several cellar doors have tastings and restaurants. Arrange a designated driver or a tour, as cellar doors are spread across country roads.
- 915 km
Havelock North
New Zealand - 107 km
Te Mata Peak
ViewsHavelock North, New ZealandA limestone ridge above Havelock North with views across the Heretaunga Plains, Hawke Bay and on clear days to Mt Ruapehu. A sealed, narrow, steep road leads to the summit car park; walking tracks start at the same place. Avoid the road in strong wind or fog.
- 1128 km
Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony
NatureHavelock North, New ZealandThe world's largest mainland gannet colony, with thousands of birds nesting on a headland. The usual approaches are a tractor-trailer tour, a guided farm-vehicle trip, or a long beach walk from Clifton that depends on the tide. Check the tide times and the nesting season before booking.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Napier → Hastings · 27 km · 0 h 17 minOn the way: Bluff Hill Lookout, Napier Art Deco Quarter, Pania of the Reef Statue, National Aquarium of New Zealand, Kennedy Park Resort.
- Day 2: Hastings → Te Mata Peak · 30 km · 0 h 20 minOn the way: Gimblett Gravels Wine District, Havelock North.
- Day 3: Te Mata Peak → Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony · 28 km · 0 h 19 min
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May–June, September and December. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers?
3-day road trip of about 85 km (53 mi) with 11 stops, from Napier to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. About 0 h 56 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers?
We suggest 3 days: about 0 h 56 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers start and end?
It starts in Napier and ends in Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony.
Which states does Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Hawke's Bay: Napier, Hastings, wine and Cape Kidnappers?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, May–June, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
