Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gannet Safaris
MAP
( 06-875 0888, 0800 427 232;
www.gannetsafaris.co.nz
;
396 Clifton Rd, Te Awanga; adult/child $60/30)
Over-
land 4WD trips across farmland into the gannet colony. Three-hour tours depart at 9.30am
and 1.30pm. Pick-ups from Napier and Hastings cost extra.
ECOTOUR
TOP OF CHAPTER
Central Hawke's Bay
Grassy farmland stretches south from Hastings, dotted with the grand homesteads of
Victorian pastoralists. It's an untouristed area (aka 'Lamb Country'), rich in history and
deserted beaches.
Waipukurau
(aka 'Wai-puk'), the main town, isn't exactly thrilling but it's
worth calling in to the extremely helpful
Central Hawke's Bay Information Centre
(
06-858 6488;
8.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm Sat)
in the old railway
www.lambcountry.co.nz
;
Railway Esplanade;
station.
Sights & Activities
There are no fewer than six windswept beaches along the coast here:
Kairakau
,
Mangakuri
,
Pourerere, Aramoana, Blackhead
and
Porangahau
. The first five are good for swimming, and
between the lot they offer a range of sandy, salty activities including surfing, fishing and
driftwoody, rock-pooly adventures. Between Aramoana and Blackhead Beach lies the
DOC-managed
Te Angiangi Marine Reserve
- bring your snorkel.
It's a nondescript hill in the middle of nowhere, but the place with the world's longest
name is good for a photo op. Believe it or not,
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotam-
ateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
is the abbreviated form of 'The Brow of
a Hill Where Tamatea, the Man with the Big Knees, Who Slid, Climbed, and Swallowed
Mountains, Known as Land Eater, Played his Flute to his Brother'. To get there, fuel-up in
Waipukurau and drive 40km to the Mangaorapa junction on route 52. Turn left and go
4km towards Porangahau. At the intersection with the signposts, turn right and continue
4.3km to the sign.
Ongaonga
, a historic village 16km west of Waipawa, has interesting Victorian and Ed-
wardian buildings. Pick up a pamphlet for a self-guided walking tour from the info centre
in Waipukurau.
