Tuki Tuki: River Valley, Vineyards and Cycling Routes

Those considering Tuki Tuki as a travel destination will find a mix of river landscape, vineyards and cycling in the wider valley. Tuki Tuki Cottages are set on a 25-acre property in the heart of the Tuki Tuki Valley, near the Tukituki River and surrounded by orchards and vineyards. This offers a tangible impression of the valley’s rural character. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can consider whether you would like to include cycling routes, river scenery or regional cultural attractions in your holiday plans.

River Landscape and Fishing

The Tukituki River is 117 kilometres long. It flows eastwards at first, then northeast, passing through Waipukurau before reaching Hawke Bay near the city of Hastings. This describes the wider region, not just Tuki Tuki. The river and its tributaries offer opportunities for fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout. If you are interested in the river, you can consider its course and fishing together: the waterways shape a wider landscape that extends beyond the individual town.

Cycling in Hastings District

The Tukituki Loop is an approximately 30-kilometre cycling route in Hastings District. It leads into the valley below Te Mata Peak. After Black Bridge, the route follows the river embankments along the Tukituki River back to River Road. Askerne Winery can be reached directly from the cycle trail for a wine tasting and a meal. Before setting off, check the official Hawke’s Bay Trails website for current maps and trail status; confirm the current availability of wine tastings and meals directly with the winery.

Another cycling option in Hastings District is the Hawke’s Bay Trails: Landscapes Ride. This wide, easy-to-ride trail offers views of the Pacific Ocean, the Tukituki River and the vineyards of Hawke’s Bay. The two routes offer different planning considerations: the Tukituki Loop has an approximate stated length of 30 kilometres and runs through the valley, while the Landscapes Ride focuses on trail conditions and views. Which perspective best suits your holiday depends on whether you are more interested in a specific route length or the scenery along the way.

A Coffee Break and Local Impressions

Red Bridge Coffee is an award-winning, rustic coffee spot on a farm paddock in the Tuki Tuki Valley, about a ten-minute drive from Havelock North. Before visiting, check directly with the operator for current access information. Together with the orchards and vineyards around Tuki Tuki Cottages, it offers a picture of the valley’s agricultural surroundings—a different focus from planning a cycling trip or fishing in the river system.

More Destinations in Hastings District

Hastings District also offers distinctive destinations for cultural and landscape interests. The Hastings Heritage Trails take visitors to cultural, historical and scenic highlights. Visitors can drive along Te Mata Peak Road to the summit of Te Mata Peak. These attractions are part of Hastings District as a wider destination and are distinct from the specific experiences described in the Tuki Tuki Valley.

The Osmanthus Garden in Cornwall Park, Hastings District, is a traditional Chinese-style garden with a large pond, pavilions, Friendship Bridge, Crooked Bridge, bamboo and fragrant osmanthus plants. Frimley Park is an English landscape-style reserve with more than 5,500 roses in formal gardens. Its playground includes, among other things, bongo drums, speaking tubes, a wheelchair-accessible carousel, swings, slides, a rope climbing structure and a scooter path. Hastings District also offers gardens and parks, distinct from the river, vineyards and cycle trails in the wider Tuki Tuki area.

Discover more destinations: Kahuranaki, Te Awanga, Maraekakaho, Waiwhare, Clifton, Karamu, Hastings, Clive.

For the overview of the wider destination: Hastings District.