Pippa B.'s
Best campgrounds
- 12This DoC camp opens on Labour Weekend, and singles are welcome – dogs that is. Set on a beautiful beach alongside a stream, overlooking Motuoroi Island, it’s surrounded by coastal forest. Although 85km north of Gisborne, with the last 4km down a gravel road, it’s beauty overrides the basic facilities – you need to have access to a chemical toilet and all water must be boiled. Chill out, swim or walk the two-hour Anaura Walkway.
- 22Mangatutu Hot SpringsNapier SouthIt’s a bit of a drive inland from Napier and you have to cross two fiords, however this small basic campsite in a natural bush setting is a short walk to thermal springs situated in the bush above the Mohaka River. A good base for tramping, trout fishing, swimming and rafting. Toilets are available, water is accessed from the stream but it’s not suitable for campervans.
- 31Te Awanga Point Holiday CampTe AwangaOn the way to popular Clifton Café this sheltered beach camp at the mouth of the Maraetotara River offers safe river and lagoon-beach swimming, surf casting and great surfing when the swell is riding. Close to Havelock North, Hastings and Napier it’s accessible to great wineries, including Elephant Hill and Clearwater Winery.
- 41Lake Tutira CampsiteTutiraStandard it may be, but set on the shores of picturesque Lake Tutira it’s a great place for a family holiday or for those who love trout fishing. It’s open for swimming at certain times of the year. Under one hour from Napier there’s a choice of walks, including the climb to Table Mountain Trig with its extensive views. It’s a short drive to Boundary Stream Mainland Island, home to a number of threatened bird species.
- 51Herbertville Motor CampHerbertvilleWide open spaces, open to a raw wild east coast about 70km from the rural inland towns of Dannevirke and Waipukurau, to a campground with a selection of sheltered sites adjacent to the beach. Grab a take-a-way at the local hotel, play the 9-hole golf course, or have a meal, swim and play tennis at nearby Wimbledon Hotel. The beach is there to explore, and maybe take in the opportunity to take a 45-minute walk to Cape Turnagain.
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Cheap Eats
- 13Cafe Anatolia NapierNapier SouthFantastic kebabs in two Hawke’s Bay locations, Hastings and Napier. Good fast food and great value. It’s light and digestible and delivered with a smile. If you’re feeling a bit skint share a sizeable iskender chicken between two.
- 22Tank Juice Bar NapierNapier CentralWhat better way to start a healthy summer than a fresh light juice, smoothie, salad or wrap from Tank in Napier’s CBD. For a supercharge get Tank’d up on a shot or an antioxidant-filled, The Pink Purify. For every juice purchased $2 is donated to Pinc & Steel Cancer Rehabilitation Trust.
- 34Urban DeliNapier CentralYummy, fresh and delicious food from the Urban Deli. Fresh baked goods or construct your own fresh salad, sandwich or roll from the salad bar. The staff are so good they will probably remember your name next time you call in.
- 42Pernel FruitworldTomoanaThe fruit season is coming into full bloom in Hawke’s Bay and Pernel Fruitworld has more than 100 varieties growing in their 33 hectare orchard. Choose from old-fashioned to new varieties at the Fruit Shop or taste some at the Licenced Café. If you are still thirsting for more take a tour through the working orchard in one of the apple wagons. Great fun for everyone’s tummies.
- 51Bangkok HouseNapier CentralYummy hot and spicy and you can leave with change in your pocket. The restaurant has been around since 1991 and it’s one of the first backpackers head to.
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Healthy Takeaways
- 12SujusHavelock NorthThis juice and smoothie bar offer a fresh alternative to the normal eateries in the village. Detox with some Sujus vegetable juices, real homemade soups, light and tasty meals, fresh soup or some delicious sushi. And why not boost your vitamin D levels at the same time and take time out to sit in the sun on an outside courtyard table.
- 25Taste CornucopiaHastings CentralA healthy option right in the centre of Hastings. Star-chef James and partner Amber offer great local organic food straight from the heart and soul. Enjoy fantastic coffee, fresh juices, scrumptious counter-food and tasty breakfasts and lunches, with lots of options for the kids.
- 33Ma’s Food Fish & FriesBluff HillThere’s got to be some really good fresh and healthy fish and chips available in a fishing port like Napier, and this place does a great offering with fresh gurnard and terakihi. There are gluten free options and it’s all cooked in vegetable-based cooking oil. Or try the all-day breakfast, hamburger, a diggidy dog or spin spuds.
- 44Urban DeliNapier CentralPeople queue outside at lunchtime at this popular inner-city deli to taste the amazing deli-bar, prepared by local foodies Lou and Becca. An enormous selection of healthy, fresh food with a variety of options for those with food intolerances and allergies.
- 54The Wholefood KitchenNapier CentralThis vegetarian eatery screams local, sustainable and organic. Centrally located with both pavement and inside seating it’s a great place to grab a Flight coffee, eat in, or get a meal-on-the-run with lots of healthy salads, hot options and tasty treats. Well-matched beside Chantal Organics, with its extensive range of organic wholefood, range of organic fruit and vegetables, bulk bins and nutritional health products.
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Best Accomodation
- 13Situated in seven hectares of beautiful parkland Kennedy Park is perfect for the family. There’s a café among its fantastic facilities and lots of options to keep the children entertained including, pedal cars, a jumping pillow, a swimming pool with a toddler’s pool, adventure playground, two trampolines, TV lounge, games room and a video arcade. Accommodation types range from motel units and 2 bedroom apartments to powered and non-powered sites. With a full children’s summer activity programme available between December and February your family won’t want to leave the grounds.
- 21There’s a good range of accommodation available here including motels, cabins and units with ensuites and self-contained family units and powered sites and tent sites. It’s located right on the beach and a quick 10-minute walk into town around the esplanade. There’s a shop and playground on site. Mountain bikes, surfboards and boogie boards are available to hire to keep the active children amused, plus there’s a TV room and games room. With that beautiful sandy beach on your door step what else do you need?
- 31Harbour View Motor LodgeAhuririThere’s only the boardwalk and a bit of grass between you and the sea. Bring your togs, bikes, skates along and you will be in heaven. You won’t go hungry because there are many dining options and takeaways in the village of Ahuriri, only a few minutes walk away. The marina and West Quay are five-ten minutes walk, where there’s plenty of room to throw a line in, or just pass the time watching the fishing boats.
- 41Cottages on St AndrewsHavelock NorthIn a five-acre rural setting, only 1km from the village centre, there are views of orchards, horses, alpacas and sheep – pure country with the convenience of town. When the kids get bored with the animals there’s a children’s playground and a trampoline. From Labour weekend the swimming pool and paddling area opens, although the spa pool is open all year round and there’s free Wifi for those that prefer to stay connected. Accommodation options range from a three, four-two bedroom cottages and a studio unit.
- 52Hastings Top 10 Holiday ParkHastings CentralCentrally placed in Hastings enabling access to the whole of Hawke’s Bay there is a range of accommodation to suit every budget, ranging from chalets, motels, cabins and rows of powered and non-powered sites under the 10-acre treescape. There’s no way you can get bored here, with a swimming pool – heated in winter, a tennis/basketball court and playground on site It’s close to Splash Planet and all those amazing cycle trails.
Pippa B.'s
Great activities for kids
- 11Napier Sailing ClubAhuririIf you‘ve ever dreamt of sailing around the world, racing in the America’s Cup or just across Hawke’s Bay now is the time to find out how because the Napier Sailing Club in Ahuriri is having an opening day on Saturday September 20 and everyone is invited to visit. There will be introductory through to learning to race sailing classes available with instructors Monkeys Fist Yachting available on Sundays during the term and for one week of the school holidays. Get in touch or visit www.napiersailingclub.org.
- 21Kids on BikesEskdaleFor a challenging and fun day try the Kids on Bikes event on Sunday, September 21 at Pan Pac Mountain Bike Park in Eskdale. Entry via the Tait Rd entrance, just off SH 2. There are 3 different cross-country options and a skills course –choose from the short 2.5km, 4 km medium, or long 5.8km course. All you need is to be between 5-13 years of age, have a bike with a current WoF, a helmet, and a sense of daring and adventure and to give it a go. Visit the event page on www.hawkesbaymtb.co.nz for more details.
- 31What better time to prepare for the long hot days of summer coming up. Why not give the kids a chance to confidently enjoy the water and enrol in a Learn to Swim programme in the 25-metre heated indoor pool. The Clive War Memorial Pool is halfway between Hastings, Havelock and Napier and is open seven-days-a-week for family fun, serious swimming and leisure.
- 41Napier Climbing WallAhuririRock right up to the indoor Napier Climbing Wall on West Quay in Ahuriri these holidays. There are lots of different climbs of varying height and difficulty available. Work up appetite and drop into Mexi Mama next door for a tasty Mexican meal. Visit www.facebook.com/napierclimbingwall for opening hours.
- 51Sport Hawke's BayTaradaleWhat a programme for budding bikers and cyclists! There’s a one-day BikeNZ Learn to Ride cycling event for 7 to 10-yr-olds in a safe off-road environment at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park on Tuesday September 30. And then there’s an Intro to Road on Thursday October 2, for 10 to 13-year-olds at the Hawke’s Bay Sports Park new junior cycle track and skills area. For the really adventurous 7 to 13-year-old, the Have a Go Day on Tuesday October 7 is overloaded with five different sports. Get a handle on Bike Polo, Golf Croquet, Orienteering, Cross Fit and Martial Arts. Find out more at www.sportspark.co.nz
Pippa B.'s
Top Dessert Spots
- 11Lone Star Cafe & Bar NapierNapier CentralLone Star restaurants are located in both Napier and Gisborne cities and you can’t go past their mega size desserts for taste and value. For 25 years, Lone Star have been serving up scrummy afters. Try crème brulee, the sweetest banoffee pie, a self-saucing Jack Daniels chocolate fudge pudding, Longhorn cheesecake, mini pavs served with whipped cream, fruit and berry coulis or Killinchy Gold ice cream with wafers and berry coulis. And the offspring get Lone Star’s special mudslide ice cream served free with any Kiwi Kid’s meal.
- 22The Milk & HoneyAhuririAlways a good spot to finish off an evening, whether for a slice of cheese and glass of port, or a range of sweet things created by the kitchen. For something smaller but still sweet, try a biscotti and a sticky dessert wine or panforte and a glass of tasty sherry.
- 33Mister DNapier CentralMister D is a hotspot for food addicts. Try the trio of chocolate sheets, milk, white and salted caramel semi-freddo or a ginger beer crème caramel, poached rhubarb and gingerbread, an apple tart tartin or the date tart, macadamian brittle and lemon curd. For smaller options choose from the sweet treat menu – maybe baked sugar pastry, nougat, moonshine biffs or the ”off the planet” doughnuts that come with a syringe armed with an extra squeeze of chocolate, jelly or custard.
- 43Soho RestaurantGisborne CentralFunky and located Wharfside, Soho are innovative with their menus. They have a variety of creative tasty desserts to choose from. Menus change with the season. Samples include carrot cake, blackberry crumble, orange and chocolate cheesecake, and chocolate brownie with hokey pokey ice cream or try a refreshing after dinner mint sundae with wild turkey honey chocolate sauce.
- 53Mission Estate WineryNapier CentralSet in a restored historic seminary this award-winning restaurant sits in an elegant setting, day or night, with outstanding views across Napier city. It’s a romantic location and will make any dessert special. There are options to dine alfresco on the outdoor terrace or choose an intimate dining area inside. Indulge in warm chocolate fondant, with an orange and Grand Marnier compote vanilla bean ice cream or a Mission Tiramisu, with Italian sponge, brandy and espresso, mascarpone, chocolate ganache and espresso Anglaise. Coffee-lovers will adore the Espresso Encore, served with espresso, Frangelico liqueur, expresso ice cream and almond Florentine. As the oldest winery in New Zealand you can’t leave without trying at least one glass from the long list of award-winning wines.