A backpacker standing at the top of Te Mata Peak in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

© Andres Jacobi/Getty Images/iStockphoto


Rising dramatically from the Heretaunga Plains 16km south of Havelock North, Te Mata Peak (399m) is part of the 1-sq-km Te Mata Trust Park. The summit road passes sheep tracks, rickety fences and vertigo-inducing stone escarpments, cowled in a bleak, lunar-landscape-meets-Scottish-Highlands atmosphere. On a clear day, views from the lookout fall away to Hawke Bay, the Mahia Peninsula and distant Mt Ruapehu.

The park’s 30km of walking trails range from 30 minutes to two hours: ask for a map at local i-SITEs. There's also good mountain biking and paragliding here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Craggy Range

1.1 MILES

Definitely one of Hawke's Bay's flashiest wineries – wonderful wines, excellent restaurant and accommodation.

2. Black Barn Vineyards

1.97 MILES

This hip, inventive winery has a bistro, a gallery, a popular summer Saturday morning farmers market (one of the first in NZ) and an amphitheatre for…

3. Te Mata Estate

2.2 MILES

Created in the shadows of Te Mata Peak, the legendary Coleraine red at this unpretentious, old-school, family-run winery is worth the trip all on its own.

4. Hastings City Art Gallery

5.33 MILES

The city's neat little gallery presents contemporary NZ (including Māori) and international art in a bright, purpose-built space. Expect some wacky stuff…

5. Westerman's Building

5.42 MILES

The Westerman's Building is arguably the area's best example of the Spanish Mission style. The Hastings i-SITE is located here too.

6. Elephant Hill

6.11 MILES

There's plenty of great vineyard dining around Hawke's Bay, but copper-clad Elephant Hill in beachy Te Awanga is something special. Huge picture windows…

7. Gannet Colony

10.26 MILES

The gaggling gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers – Te Kauwae-a-Māui to local Māori – is best visited between early November and late February, when the…

8. Otatara Pā Historic Reserve

11.38 MILES

Wooden palisades, carved pou (memorial posts) and a carved gate help bring this pā (fortified village) site to life. An hour-long loop walk across grassy…