Hawkes Bay is one of the primary wine regions of New Zealand. The area is known for its great microclimate, which is perfectly suited for growing wine. With its pleasant climate, relatively flat landscape with some rolling hills, and not much wind, the region is also well-suited to cycling.  More...

Hawkes Bay is one of the primary wine regions of New Zealand. The area is known for its great microclimate, which is perfectly suited for growing wine. With its pleasant climate, relatively flat landscape with some rolling hills, and not much wind, the region is also well-suited to cycling.

Napier and Hastings are the two main towns of the region with a combined population of the urban area close to 120,000. Napier is renowned for its Art Deco architecture (it is the Art Deco town of New Zealand), while Hastings is the administrative center of the region.

Not too far south from Hastings is Havelock North. This relatively small and quieter township is well-suited for setting up a base camp from which one can explore the region on bicycle.

If you are wine lover, you will enjoy the surrounding vineyards and the many wineries. There are more than 40 to explore within the region, some with elaborate visitor centers and restaurants serving culinary delights along with the locally grown wine.

For beach lovers Hawkes Bay has also plenty to offer: Ocean Beach and Waimarama Beach are some of the more picturesque, while Cape Kidnappers has one of the largest Gannet colonies in New Zealand.  Less...

The best time to visit Hawkes Bay for cycling activities is from late spring through early to mid autumn (southern hemisphere); however, the winters are relatively mild, and as a result, cycling can be enjoyed even during winter months. If you are planning to visit during December and January, or on major holiday weekends such as Easter, it is advisable that you make reservations for lodging ahead of time.   Less...

Hawkes Bay region has a Mediterranean climate, with over 2200 sunshine hours annually and an average rainfall of less than 800 mm (31.5 in). It is one of New Zealand's warmest regions and usually the hottest place in summer with highest January maximum average temperature of 26°C (79°F). This is ideal weather for summer outdoor activities and great for cycling.  Less...

Hawkes Bay is served by BayXpress bus service from Wellington via Palmerston North to Hastings and Napier. InterCity bus service also serves Hawkes Bay with connections from all over New Zealand. If you are planning on taking a bus to Hawkes Bay, check the bus companies’ web sites for their schedules and rules for carrying bicycles.

If you are traveling by car, the primary access to Hawkes Bay region is via State Highway 2 (SH2) from the south and State Highway 5 (SH5) from the north via Taupo.  Less...

There are plenty of accommodations in Hawkes Bay, ranging from campsites, youth hostels and simple motels to luxury B&Bs and lodges. Although accommodation choices are generally plentiful, reservations are recommended during the high season from December to the end of January and on holiday weekends.   Less...

The roads of Hawkes Bay region are mostly of paved, sealed chip surface and can be narrow in places; fortunately (besides State Highway 2 and few other main roads), there is not much traffic, so riding through the countryside is quite enjoyable.  Less...

Te Mata Peak is the regional landmark, towering 1,200 ft/400 meters above sea level and offering an expansive view of Hawke's Bay. Cycling up the summit on a clear day is a treat; the rewards are the panoramic views of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges, Cape Kidnappers and the Pacific Ocean. Maori legend says that the hills around Te Mata Peak are, in fact, the body of a sleeping giant, Te Mata.   Less...