Wanderyn
Hastings
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
city · NZ

Hastings

Recommended stay: 1 day
Getting around: Hastings is a 20-minute drive from Napier, and the two are often visited together as a single Hawke's Bay base; a car is the practical option for reaching the wineries and orchards spread across the surrounding Heretaunga Plains, as well as Cape Kidnappers and the coast. The compact central city is walkable, and Hastings has a strong network of flat cycle trails (the Hawke's Bay Trails) that make cycling between wineries a genuinely good alternative to driving if you're not planning to drink at every stop.
Hours: Wineries and cellar doors around Hastings generally open for tastings 10am-4pm or 5pm, with some closing on quieter weekdays outside peak season; the local farmers' market runs on Sunday mornings.

Hastings sits at the heart of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand's second-largest wine region and the country's largest producer of apples and stone fruit, and the surrounding Heretaunga Plains are covered in orchards and vineyards that supply both. Compared to neighbouring Napier, Hastings has less of the postcard Art Deco streetscape but still holds a good collection of Spanish Mission and Art Deco buildings from the same 1930s rebuild after the 1931 earthquake that flattened both towns.

The region's flat terrain and network of dedicated cycle trails make Hastings a genuinely good base for winery visits by bike, and the area's fruit-growing heritage shows up directly in local produce and seasonal fruit-picking opportunities in summer. Most visitors pair Hastings with Napier as a joint two-to-three-day Hawke's Bay base rather than treating either town as a standalone destination, using Hastings mainly for wine touring and Napier for the Art Deco architecture and waterfront.

Hastings FAQs

Should I stay in Hastings or Napier?

Both work well, and many visitors do a mix; Napier has more of the postcard Art Deco streetscape and waterfront, while Hastings is more central to the wineries and cycle trails, so it depends on whether wine touring or sightseeing is the priority.

Is it easy to cycle between wineries around Hastings?

Yes, the Hawke's Bay Trails network is flat, well-signposted, and connects many cellar doors directly, making it a popular and low-effort alternative to driving.

What's the best time of year to visit for wine?

Harvest season (February-April) is the most active time at the wineries, though tastings run year-round; summer (December-February) also coincides with stone fruit season.

Is Hastings walkable, or do I need a car?

The central city is walkable, but a car (or bicycle) is needed to reach the wineries, orchards, and Cape Kidnappers, which are spread across the surrounding plains rather than in town.

Are there Art Deco buildings in Hastings like in Napier?

Yes, though less concentrated and less famous than Napier's; both towns were rebuilt in a similar style after the shared 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake.

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