Flag Inn Snowgoose Lodge

The port of Napier

by Kate-Me

From the Bluff lookout, you can also have a great view down on the Port of Napier, which is really quite substantial. The port looked rather picturesque and more interesting when viewed from way up above like this.

Gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers

by Kate-Me

This gannet colony is rather famous, as it is rather large and said to be the most accessible gannet colony in the world, as almost all are on offshore islands. It is only possible to walk there yourself at low tide. It's 3 hours walk to the beach (commencing at Clifton), 1.5 hours to climb the plateau, and 3 hours return.

We found the best way was to go by 4wd bus Safari (there is also a tractor tour along the beach but because we weren't sure how good the weather was going to be, we chose the 4WD Safari.

The best months to go are Nov - Feb.

Pics soon.

An evening stroll on Marine Parade.

by worldkiwi

Marine Parade isn't only a nice place to stroll in the daytime. At night the fountain, sound shell and buildings on the landward side of the road are brilliantly lit up. This is the A & B Building (with the clock tower) and the Masonic Building, which houses a hostel and two restaurants/bars.
When we were there in April 2006, there was a band playing in the sound shell. The lead singer was doing well-known covers and he was really good. It was a shame there were only a handful of people to listen to him!

.... more than gannets

by vtveen

Cape Kidnappers doesn’t mean: just gannets.
We decided to go on the bus tour and never did regret it. Overland Safaris offers a bus tour to the Cape and we did enjoy the breathtaking scenery very much.

First part of the trip brought us to Summerlee Station, one of the most beautiful golf ranges of New Zealand (to be honest we don’t like these kind of things, built with very much American dollars in the middle of such a piece of nature).
But then starts the gravel road and we did understand why the bus is a 4 x 4 wheeled vehicle. We passed small rivers, very steep slopes and inclines. There were some stops and we could admire the rugged coastline of Cape Kidnappers. And after a very scenic drive we arrived at the top of the plateau where the gannets are. Besides of the birds this is really a nice place high above the Hawke's Bay with lovely views.

Fondest memory
We had a seat in front of the bus on the right side. The views are the best and when we reached the plateau we came suddenly face to face with some gannets on their nests. A great experience.

Napier (oliquestroke) Hasting -Focus of Hawkes Bay

by pedroswift

Napier (Ahuriri in Māori) and Hastings less than twenty kilometres away form an urban area, the fifth largest in New Zealand. Together they are known as "The Twin Cities" or "The Bay Cities".

Napier was named after Sir Charles Napier, hero of the Battle of Meeanee (1843 in India). Many street names around Napier, commemorate the great colonial era of the British Indian Empire. Hastings also has Colonial connections too, being named after Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India.
By the way, on 15th Oct, 1769 Captain James Cook named Hawkes Bay after Sir Edward, first Lord of the Admiralty.

On 3 February 1931, Napier was leveled by an earthquake.
Despite loss of life and devastation to property, the earthquake was fortuitous: its legacy invaluable in making Napier and the surrounding area what it is today. The resulting up lift of land changed the topography of the area radically. Former swampy land rose to form usable arable land. Water courses were diverted and elevated flood plains are now planted with extensive vineyards, the back-bone of the wine industry.
Napier and Hastings were rebuilt in the art deco style of the 1930’s. Much of Napier retains these buildings. Not so Hastings. Napier has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the first cultural site in New Zealand to be so.

The focus on any visit to Napier is the Art Deco architecture and guided walks with a movie and tea and coffee after are conducted regularly.

Check out the I -site for information by the Soundshell, on the seafront in Napier. Phone 06 834 1911 Freephone: 0800 84 74 88 approx Lat&Long: 39º29'24.00"S ; 176º55'20.45"E. You may be interested in the Sound Shell Loo next door and its luggage storage lockers and secure bike parking. Towels are available for a shower.

"Wine"

Don't neglect the Wineries of Hawkes Bay. Some of New Zealand's finest wines are produce from grapes grown on the gravelly flood plains in the hinterland of the Bay. Stop for a plowman's lunch and a sample or two of wines on offer as we did at Kim Crawfords. Or book in for a more slap up meal at wineries with great restaurants (Craggy Range and Mission Winery, for example). If you don't get to visit the wineries, at least ask for the local product during your visit to other eating establishments. chin chin!!