Experience Napier’s cosy cafe culture at Milk & Honey this morning for a group breakfast. Get your new wheels fitted before beginning your e-bike journey. Today you will ride 32kms on the Ahuriri Estuary trail, the lagoon farmland home to communities of resident and migratory water birds, aquatic plants, fish and mud-dwellers. Catch surfers riding the waves of the popular Westshore surf beach before arriving in Taradale, a village-like suburb of Napier surrounded by beautiful countryside.
Visit Crab Farm Winery, a boutique family-owned and operated winery, for a wine tasting before visiting The Art Shed, an onsite gallery where all art is crafted, painted, made and designed by a team of local artists. Then, sit down for a platter lunch of local cheeses, cured meats and seasonal vegetables, plus a wine tasting, at the elegant Church Rd winery. A shuttle will bring you back to Napier, where you will stop off at The Urban Winery to sample local beer, wine and gin. It’s your choice of dinner tonight in Napier before you head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening.
After breakfast at Ahuriri Village Kitchen, watch the landscape change as you glide past the Art Deco elegance of Napier to the misty Marine Parade, where four rivers meet the South Pacific Ocean. You’ll make your way by e-bike to Cape Kidnappers, a dramatic sandstone headland brimming with wildlife, home to the world’s largest colony of gannets. Enjoy lunch at Hygge at Clifton Bay, before getting up close and personal with the majestic sea birds in their natural habitat, spanning over 13 hectares. Your knowledgeable Gannet Safari guide will teach you all about the gannets and the locations they nest on.
A shuttle will bring you to your next accommodation, making a stop at the Te Mata Peak. Take in spectacular vistas of the Ruahine, Kaweka and Maungaharuru ranges as well as Mount Ruapehu.
This evening, take your pick of wonderful eateries to enjoy your dinner in Havelock North. This beautiful country town is surrounded by rich green rolling hills and is known for its plethora of art, boutique cafes, restaurants and honey production. Return to your hotel for a restful slumber.
Wheel your way along the quiet country roads of Tuki Tuki Valley after breakfast at Maina Cafe, heading to the river trail near Cape Kidnappers and travelling through orchards and vineyards. You’ll find yourself at Clearview Estate’s cellar door for a sumptuous lunch, before learning about the art of winemaking on a behind-the-scenes tour with the resident vintner.
Return to the seat of your e-bike and pedal along the Tuki Tuki river trail to Arataki Honey, New Zealand’s largest manuka honey farm. Cycle back to your accommodation in Havelock North. This evening, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers at Craggy Range winery as the sun sets over the rolling hills.
This morning, visit the bustling Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market brimming with fresh local produce. Cycle out to Bridge Pa Triangle, a triangle-shaped circuit covering a historical riverbed dotted with several premium wineries. This afternoon you’ll hop from cellar door to cellar door, tasting a diverse array of wines and cuisine, including Trinity Hills and Oaks Estate.
After tasting your way through Hawke’s Bay’s best, wave goodbye to the beautiful countryside and reminisce on your journey through northern New Zealand. From here, a shuttle will transfer you back to Hawke’s Bay Airport or Napier centre.