Top Things to do in Hastings
The 10 Best Things to Do in Hastings, New Zealand
Discover the best top things to do in Hastings, New Zealand including Te Mata Peak, Birdwoods Gallery, Boutique Horsetreks Day Tours, Gannet Safaris Overland, Gannet Beach Adventures, Hawkes Bay Farmers Market, Arataki Honey Visitor Centre, Coastal Wine Cycles, Askerne Vineyards, Craggy Range Winery.
Restaurants in Hastings
1. Te Mata Peak
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Kerry S
It was a very windy day..unusual for this location. Well worth the drive and walk. An easy walk up for older folk. Be ready for a narrow winding approach road..but everyone is careful and polite on the road. Good parking
2. Birdwoods Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
Birdwoods Gallery is a very special place in the heart of Hawke's Bay. Set in the countryside just 3km from Havelock North Village, Birdwoods Gallery and its small companion, the Birdwoods Sweet Shop, are a 'must see' for young and old. Two historic buildings have been relocated to this pretty rural setting and transformed to become a distinctive and enchanting visitor attraction. Enjoy our famous morning or afternoon tea or come for a delicious garden lunch with family or friends. End it off with a delicious real fruit ice-cream from our little Ice Cream Shop.
Reviewed By Lois M - New Plymouth, New Zealand
Delicious food, lovely surroundings. plenty to look at in the gift shop, ice cream parlour and sweet shop. Fantastic sculptures. Great place for a relaxed, lingering afternoon. Would return.Thank you and glad you will choose to return. Kind regards, Louise Stobart - Owner
3. Boutique Horsetreks Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 196 reviews
Exclusive horsetreks for 1 - 4 riders. Small groups, beginners, intermediate and advanced. Individual attention & natural horsemanship techniques training on each ride. Magic Beach Ride, Sparkling River Ride, Clearview Winery Ride & Mystery Ride.
Reviewed By Carolyn B
My seven year old daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our ride with Dzidra and her lovely horses. The horses appeared very well cared for and happy. Locally there is a new pipeline being built which changed our route to include a little part on a quiet road so no big deal, but sounds like once it's built there is more beach riding available. We went for 2 hours which was plenty for absolute beginners! Girlie rode on Nugget, a lovely horse, and I had Paddy who is a little cheeky :) recent flooding kept us out of the river but we did go for a look and it was a refreshing way to start the day. We will go back once the pipe work is finished to enjoy a beach ride.
4. Gannet Safaris Overland
Overall Ratings
5 based on 209 reviews
Tour operator - overland tours to Cape Kidnappers, travelling over a working station and thought New Zealand's largest privately owned wildlife sanctuary. Getting to the largest accessible Mainland gannet colony in the world - no walking is required.
Reviewed By parfittm01 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
We loved our afternoon trip with Tony and learnt so much about Cape Kidnappers, the estate, conservation and of course the spectacular gannets. I would highly recommend this trip.Thank you. Yes, there’s so much to learn and see as well as the birds! Happy travels
5. Gannet Beach Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 358 reviews
“Where else in the world can you jump on the back of a trailer and get towed along the beach by a 1949 Minneapolis-Moline tractor to a bird colony?” Established in 1952, Gannet Beach Adventures has a long history of providing tours on a spectacular stretch of the Hawke’s Bay coastline, from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers. This unique, fun eco-experience tour involves travel with local experienced guides by vintage tractors and trailers on a comfortable four-hour adventure to the largest Mainland gannet colony in the world. Departing on the days’ low tide, visitors travel by tractor and trailer along the majestically rugged coastline. Photographic opportunities abound as stops are made throughout the journey giving visitors an insight into how nature’s forces have shaped this amazing area.
Reviewed By Nicola D
Thanks to Murray and the team for an fun filled adventure out to the Gannet Colony. Amazing sunrise below the stunning cliffs of Cape Kidnappers. Murray’s informative talks along the way are a highlight. Be up for an adventure each trip is different never dull sometimes a bit wet but this just made it more enjoyable for us and we had a good laugh at each other. The team are quick to react to any situation and if you are lucky enough to get stuck this just adds to the uniqueness of this adventure. Thanks Murray!
6. Hawkes Bay Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 198 reviews
Reviewed By Mum2boys2014 - Ballarat, Australia
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit - went home laden with goodies like fresh stoneground bread, beautiful jams, amazing honey, delicious bacon & sausages from Waipawa meats, yummy cheeses and organic yoghurt from hohepa, tasty plum paste, healthy organic muesli, cwackers from OM goodness and super fresh apples, cucumber, tomatoes and capsicum.
The atmosphere was great, coffee was excellent and my 10 year old son who is not a fan of shopping even enjoyed it (with the bribery of a 100% orange juice ice block)
Was a great morning out and we absolutely enjoyed it.
7. Arataki Honey Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 309 reviews
You will be amazed at what you will discover, when you visit Arataki Honey Visitor Centre. Here you will be able to explore the fascinating world of the humble honeybee in a modern & interactive environment. With many activities on offer including an extensive retail section, everybody young & old will truly have “A Sweet Experience”. Free Entry Free Honey Tasting Group bookings Open 7 days 9.00am – 5.00pmClosed Christmas DayClosed Good FridayClosed Easter Sunday
Reviewed By Gillian A - Ramsgate, United Kingdom
Was lovely to visit and try the honey, unfortunately we wasnt able to buy any due to the nz restrictions for travellers.
They have little bee hives indoors so you can see the workings.
There are lots of other lovely souveniers to buy and dont forget the ice cream
8. Coastal Wine Cycles
Overall Ratings
5 based on 91 reviews
Thanks for finding us in the vastness of the Internet. We know you have a screen in your face right now, but really you want to be outside with the sun on your back and the afternoon in front of you... Well you've come to the right place. We're not a crusty old general store with some rusty mountain bikes outside it, we're a young, dynamic, fun company that loves cycling, wine, the ocean, beach, rivers, peaks, fields, orchards, long lunches, and of course sunny days and friends to enjoy them. Our business is providing experiences. Our cool bikes and awesome location help us do this.
Reviewed By suewhit2014 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
A group of 8 of us hired bikes from Charlotte. Charlotte was very friendly and organized. Her bikes were extremely comfortable and we had a great day out cycling around the vineyards.
9. Askerne Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By JimRiesterer - Edina, Minnesota
Askern Wines was the last stop on our tour of vineyards during our two days in Hawkes Bay wine region. They are a small Family-owned winery making a surprisingly large collection of 14 wines-far too many for us to taste so we selected a few of the more unique wines they produced including
-semillon-delicious
-viognier-good
-rose-a blend of Pinot, cab franc, Syrah-refreshing
-Pinot-very nice-delicious
-Syrah-Smoky, peppery
-2015 Bordeaux blend-delicious
In addition they make 3 different dessert wines including an interesting dessert Pinot that’s a blend of 9 vintages and fortified with spirits like a sherry and an unexpectedly good dessert Cabernet -wow, especially paired with chocolate -so unique
and a must try on any wine visit.
Don’t let the plain Jane tasting room deceive you-this place has some darn good wines.
10. Craggy Range Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By Belinda_Joy - Sydney
We stayed in a lovely cottage next to the vineyard for 3 nights. The cottage had views of the surrounding Mountains and was peaceful. Everything we might need was thought of such as freshly baked bread delivered to us daily with other breakfast condiments, fluffy towels and robes, plentiful logs for the fire and the bathroom had a sensational deep bath, extra large shower and heated floors.
We ate at the restaurant the first night sitting next to the warmth of the open fire, the food was impressive and we made sure we drank copious amounts of the good wine on hand.
This has to be one of the most romantic and picturesque accommodation I have stayed in. We will definitely go back.
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