Hawkes Bay Transport

Transport options in Hawke's Bay

Although you can fly to Hawke's Bay, many travellers choose to arrive by road because the journey is extremely scenic. You can follow the edge of the East Cape and approach Hawke's Bay from the north, visiting Gisborne on the way. Another route will bring you over the famous Taupo to Napier highway, a truly spectacular experience. From Wellington, the road through Wairarapa is part of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail - a touring route that stetches from Nelson in the South Island to Hawke's Bay in the North Island.

Getting to and from Hawke's Bay

By Road:
Two road touring routes run through Hawke's Bay - the Thermal Explorer Highway (State Highway 5) and the Pacific Coast Highway (State Highway 2). Hawke's Bay is also the starting point for the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail, which runs to Marlborough in the South Island.
Hawke's Bay is on the national coach route. Daily services operate from Auckland, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington.

By Air:
Domestic flights to Hawke's Bay from main centres take approximately one hour. The airport is within easy reach of both Napier and Hastings. Private jets and helicopters regularly fly into the main airport and also to the smaller aerodrome at Bridge Pa on the outskirts of Hastings.

Getting around Hawke's Bay

A rental car or campervan will give you the freedom to discover Hawke's Bay at your own pace. Mountain bike hire solves the problem of how to get around the wineries without driving.
For times when you'd rather not guide yourself, local tour operators can take you to almost any destination in the region. Customised wine tours are a specialty - you can even cruise the wineries in a chauffeur driven classic car or limousine.