From the historic Mission Winery worthy of a visit for its architecture, restaurant and views as much as for its wines and picturesque vineyards, Hawkes Bay has a wide selection of wineries to choose from for a merry afternoon of wine tasting. Many offer free tastings, while others allow you to imbibe at a nominal charge. Collect a winery guide from an i-site and hit the road. Or if you don't have a sober driver, choose from one of many informative and entertaining tours available. All are highly recommended but I've tried Prinsy's and Grape Escape and was impressed by both (though I admit my memory is somewhat hazy after all that delicious Hawkes Bay wine).
Food Glorious Food
The popular farmers' market is a major drawcard. Grab yourself a coffee and sample the delights from local cheesemakers, farmers and orchardists before filling up a basket of local produce. There's something immensely satisfying about skipping the middle man and buying fresh food from source.
The Hawkes Bay Farmers' Market is famous all over the central North Island. Photo / Warren Buckland
Over in Havelock North, Arataki Honey is a great place to get kids (and adults) interested in honey, with cross sections of beehives on display, interactive activities for children, free honey tasting, and a shop selling everything that could possibly feature honey (slap on some silky smooth honey moisturiser while you're there).
When it comes to restaurants, you're spoiled for choice in Hawkes Bay, but one of the latest taste sensations to open in Hastings is Ten Twenty Four, a restaurant that prides itself on gourmet food at affordable prices. With mouth-watering and gamey dishes such as rabbit with homemade fig sauce, or icecream filled with sherbet that literally fizzes in your mouth, it is hands-down my new favourite restaurant.
Historic home
On the first Sunday of each month, historic Duart House in Havelock North is open from 10am to noon. For a $3 entry fee you can explore the manicured grounds, the colonial house, built in 1882, and the outbuildings, which retain period furniture and household and farming items from the early 1900s.
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Although home to New Zealand's largest display of aquatic life, the National Aquarium in Napier does not just confine itself to sharks, stingrays, turtles, seahorses and fish.
You also have a rare opportunity to watch kiwi and tuatara foraging in their enclosures. If you're the adventurous type try swimming or diving with the sharks, or if you prefer to stay dry, stick to the underwater travelator.
The latest news is Marineland's new penguin house and the new and improved seahorse exhibit, which opened in July.
Spectacular views
No trip to Hawkes Bay is complete without a drive (or walk, if you're keen) up to the 399m summit of Te Mata Peak in Havelock North.
Legend has it that the peak is the body of the Maori chief Rongokako, who choked on a bite of the hill while completing a series of difficult tasks to prove his worthiness to marry another chief's beautiful daughter.
From the top you can see in every direction including, on a clear day, Mt Ruapehu far in the distance. If the weather is bad you don't even have to leave your car - there's a car park right at the top. On a fine day it's worth going for a walk and marvelling over the fossils embedded in the limestone rock, thanks to thousands of years of uplift caused by earthquakes in the region.
There are a variety of walks to choose from, through redwoods, native bush and scenic countryside.
The Hot Red Hawkes Bay Wine Show. Photo / Glenn Taylor
Channel your inner child
The sweat pours down my chest and pools in my bra as I crouch behind the wall, gun primed and at the ready.
I cautiously scan the darkened room for potential assailants - and targets.
Loud bass-thumping music attacks my ears and my heart beats rapidly as I aim my laser towards the assassin creeping across the other side of the room.
I am Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible (or Sarah Connor in Terminator 2) and this is Laser Force in Napier, a fun and inexpensive way for the young and young at heart to pass a cold or wet day.
CHECKLIST
Getting there: Air New Zealand flies to Napier from Auckland up to nine times a day.
