Only have 12 Hours in Hastings? Here are the Best Things to do

Warm into the day by getting the legs going with a loop of the Pīwakawaka Trail in Te Mata Park. It'll take you about 40 minutes, passing through native bush, tall gum trees, fragrant eucalypts, and, of course, plenty of cheeky, chirping fantails.

Photo: Hawkes Bay Tourism

With a packed day ahead of you, to get the most out of your time in Hastings it’s important to begin with a breakfast that will both satiate you and is darn delicious.

Head to Pixie Bowls (a quick ten minutes down the road from Te Mata Park), the perfect place to sit down for a nutritious, fresh and fruity meal. Once a takeaway shack on the edge of town, Pixie Bowls' brick-and-mortar is a bustling destination for nourishing smoothies, bowls, toast and epic coffee.

Take your pick from their menu, or, if you're craving something in particular, you can build your own toast with toppings or add a superfood booster to your fruit-based blended goodness. Once you have made your selection, sit back and enjoy your surroundings. The white and exposed concrete interior accented with teal tiles and soft furnishings create a beachside feel; a tranquil space to start your busy day.

The arts and culture scene of any city speaks of its vibrancy and spirit, and Hastings does not disappoint in this regard. After finishing your breakfast, take an easy five-minute stroll down the road to get to Civic Square.

It’s here that you will want to spend some time looking at and reflecting on the Ngā Pou o Heretaunga installation. Made up of 18 pou, each representing an ancestor from marae in the area, it is an important recognition of the city’s past and future. The craftsmanship that has gone into creating these pou is truly inspiring, and it is appropriate that they are located just in front of Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery.

Wander on into the gallery and enjoy the latest exhibitions on display. The curation programme is committed to showcasing a range of artists and mediums, so there is always something interesting and thought-provoking to see.

After finishing your tour of the art gallery, treat yourself to a mid-morning coffee at one of the best spots in town, Cupple.

Operated by local coffee roasters Firsthand Coffee, this is a popular local hangout, and it’s easy to see why. The service is prompt and friendly, the minimalist decor is effortlessly cool, the coffee is on point every time, and the food cabinet will tempt you no matter how full you might be feeling.

Cupple happens to share a space with legendary Hawke’s Bay French bakers Ya Bon, so while you enjoy your cup of coffee and pastry, grab a seat by the large window and watch the baking magic at work. The smell of the patisserie might be so intoxicating that you just have to get another one to take away and enjoy later.

Make some time in your day to indulge in some retail therapy — the shopping in Hastings’ Heretaunga East precinct will not disappoint.

Blackbird Goods is a shopping gem that you may, in fact, recognise from your Instagram feed. Owners Gemma and Nathan are passionate about sourcing and curating items that better your everyday life and are made to last. It’s the perfect place to pick up a gift or treat yourself to something special that you know is a quality piece. 

Also focused on showcasing craftsmanship is Coco & Co., a not-for-profit independent shop staffed by artists and volunteers that gives the talented makers in the area an opportunity to display their works.

And for the avid readers among us, a stop at The Little Red Bookshop is highly recommended. This second-hand bookstore is brimming with stacks of books and wraps you in a warm hug when you walk through the front door, as only the cosiness and joy of reading can. Keep an eye on the time, though, as it is very easy to spend hours getting lost in different literary worlds here.

It’s been a busy day so far, so it’s highly likely that you will have worked up a serious appetite by now, and there’s nothing that hits the spot quite like the kai at Brave Brewing. 

Situated in the Tribune precinct, this taproom and brewery serves up tasty food and brilliant brews. On a sunny day (of which there are plenty in Hastings), take a seat in the courtyard and get in some people-watching time as you dine.

The food menu is full of epic picks, but it’s hard to go past the hot dogs; locals will tell you that these are a must-try at Brave. When it comes to selecting your drink of choice, chat with the team behind the bar. They’re knowledgeable about what’s on tap and are happy to provide recommendations.

With a satisfied tummy and a new burst of energy, it’s time to explore one of the most exciting developments in Hastings, the Tribune precinct — and you’re already right there!

What was once the former Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune premises has been transformed into a retail, hospitality and office Mecca. The old brick buildings that housed activities such as the paper’s archives and printing press have had extensive earthquake-strengthening work and renovations carried out. Laneways have been created between the buildings, and a brand-new atrium space that can be used for events and functions is the icing on the cake. 

For interiors and homewares lovers, a shopping hotspot not to miss is Kindred Road. Full of pieces you’ll be adding to your mental wishlist, even if you just window shop, it’s an incredibly beautiful curated and merchandised space. 

On the outer perimeter of the precinct is the Real World headquarters and retail store. Shopping here is nothing short of a sensory delight. The exclusively New Zealand-made range is committed to elevating the essential rituals in our homes, with products extending from hand creams to dishwashing liquid, candles to pet wash. 

Last but not least, pop into Oh My Goodness Speciality Breads, a café, bakery and milling site that specialises in gluten-free products. You are probably still full from lunch, but a selection of their pre-mixes are available to buy (to make loaves, pancakes or other baking at home), or you could just grab a sneaky sweet treat for later.    

The redevelopment of Toitoi - Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre has been a huge undertaking by the Hastings City Council. With the restoration of historic buildings such as the Opera House and the Municipal Building, the centre was revamped to include new laneways and spaces for retail and hospitality businesses. 

Just taking time to admire the outside of these buildings is well worth it to see the care and detail that has gone into preserving these important sites. Down the way is Cellar 495, a wine bar and tasting room that you should make time for. Helmed by the 495th Master of Wine, Michael Henley, this is the place to come and try wines you may never have heard of before. You might just discover a new favourite drop. 

As the day is beginning to wind down, it’s time to move on to the first of our evening destinations, Hastings Distillers, where the European concept of aperitif — to have a casual drink and snack with friends before dinner — is embraced and encouraged. We are all about this, and what a location for it. 

Hastings Distillers is New Zealand’s first and only producer of certified organic artisan spirits and liqueurs, producing six varieties of gin and liqueur. They are passionate about working with nature to create the best spirits possible, and their approach has yielded phenomenal results. The tasting room is elegant and sophisticated, an interior decor dream and one that is very ‘grammable — especially with a gin or cocktail in hand. 

Feeling all the good feels after a memorable experience at the Distillers, it’s dinner time and, more importantly, pasta time at Sazio.

This neighbourhood pasta bar has a warm atmposphere and is incredibly inviting. The buzz and activity from the open-plan kitchen are great to watch, so, if you can, why not get a seat up at the bar where you can look on as the chefs work hard to deliver on flavour — a show and dinner! It’s highly recommended to order the sourdough focaccia to start. For your main, you cannot go wrong with a classic ragu or gnocchi that melts in your mouth. Just thinking about the dining experience at Sazio has us salivating.

End the day at local favourite Common Room, known as the best little bar in the Bay. You'll instantly feel at home here. With plenty of different hangout spaces inside, you can cosy up on a leather couch or, on a balmy evening, head outside to the courtyard and enjoy your drinks al fresco. 

On different nights of the week, there is often live music, open-mic comedy or poetry slam to entertain patrons. A pretty great end to a jam-packed day exploring and enjoying the best of Hastings' city centre.