What to do in Hawkes Bay

All the attractions of central Napier and Marine Parade are within easy walking distance from the Dome. These include:

• Hawkes Bay Museum
• Ocean Spa and Soak Cafe
• National Aquarium of New Zealand
• Art Deco tours and self-guided walks
• Shops, galleries and cafes

It's only a short drive to discover many other delights of Hawkes Bay Wine Country:

• Wine, Food and Art Trails
• Spanish Mission Hastings
• The charming village of Havelock North
• Coastal settlements of Haumoana and Te Awanga leading to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers
• Many acclaimed golf courses, including the internationally rated Cape Kidnappers
• Te Mata Peak where you can either be still and take in the views or be energetic and freely hike through her many nature trails
• Outdoor adventure - fishing, beaches, bushwalks and more

HAWKES BAY WINERIES

The region is called Hawke's Bay Wine Country for a very good reason! With over 80% of New Zealand's plantings of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes, Hawke's Bay is often on the world stage for its award winning red wines.

The warm maritime climate and varying landscape also produces New Zealand's richest and most complex Chardonnays. History, consistency, diversity and innovation continue to provide the foundation for Hawke's Bay's reputation as a fine wine producing region.

There are over 30 cellar door outlets to visit. The Hawke's Bay Wine Trail map will lead you to tastings, tours and enticing winery restaurants and cafes.

HAWKES BAY CUISINE

Discover where the locals dine on Tweet2eat. It's the locals guide to dining out at restaurants, cafes and wineries in Hawke's Bay. You can even ask Tweet2eat a question on twitter or tell them your dining out goss! They cover Hastings, Napier, Havelock North and Taradale.

From farm gate to the restaurant plate, Hawkes Bay will satisfy your appetite for epicurean pleasures.

You can go direct to the source by visiting artisan producers on the Wine Country Food Trail, or fill your shopping bag with everything you need at one of several Farmers Markets held in the region. You'll find one just a block away from The Dome, held every Saturday morning in Tennyson St.

A short drive to Havelock North takes you to the Village Growers Market, held on Saturday mornings during summer at Black Barn Vineyards. Likewise, the Hawkes Bay Farmers Market operates every Sunday morning at the A&P Showgrounds, just outside Hastings.

For the finished product, you can choose from city, waterside or winery restaurants and cafes, presenting the freshest and best of local ingredients on their menus.

THE DECO CAPITAL

Everywhere you turn, you'll see another fine example of Art Deco architecture and style.

It's not surprising that locals and visitors alike can be spotted sporting Art Deco garb, although this usually occurs in February during the sensational Art Deco festival. There is also a smaller winter festival in June, called Deco Decanted.

Every day Napier celebrates its heritage with a variety of activities which interpret the drama of Napier's destruction and its rebirth in Art Deco style.

• guided walking tours
• vintage Deco car tour
• self guided walks
• self drive toursexhibitions

NAPIER NIGHTLIFE

By night, Napier comes alive with an eclectic mix of bars, clubs, restaurants and entertainment. Live bands and music can be found at many of these venues.

Of course many of these are in walking distance of The Dome, or you may like to take in the harbourside precinct of Ahururi, with its lively collection of night spots.

The Napier Municipal Theatre is a beautifully preserved and updated Art Deco venue that has a busy schedule of international and local performances. Likewise, the Hawkes Bay Opera House in Hastings and several other independent venues around the region feature live performances and theatre.

Just a short stroll from The Dome, The Century Cinema at the Hawkes Bay Museum screens quality international and independent films, plus there are other mainstream movie theatres in the city

ART & CULTURE

Hawke’s Bay is home to a vibrant arts and cultural scene, providing the region with verve, vitality and colour.

Many talented artists draw inspiration from the beautiful Hawkes Bay area and create a range of works that can be seen in their own studios or in the many galleries dotted around the region, including several in and around central Napier and the seaside suburb of Ahuriri. These can be visited with the help of the Hawkes Bay Art Trail.

Many festivals and events also fill the Hawkes Bay calendar – from alfresco winery concerts to the iconic Art Deco festivals in summer and winter, as well as exhibitions, performances, film and theatre.

The Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery in Napier features superb temporary and permanent exhibitions of art, craft and social history, including interactive exhibitions on the Hawkes Bay 1931 earthquake and Art Deco style.

The area also celebrates a rich and proud cultural heritage. You can experience authentic local Maori culture and heritage through fascinating tours that blend story, song, art and craft.