Experiences
Relax and let us introduce you to Hawke’s Bay’s breathtaking natural landscapes, exceptional wines, delicious food, friendly people and unique experiences the way only we know how - Private. Personal. Unhurried. Uniquely Hawke’s Bay. We believe in celebrating our region while respecting and caring for the land, its stories and people, preserving its beauty for future generations.
Travel in air-conditioned comfort in one of our late-model luxury vehicles as we take you on an informative journey filled with discovery, warmth and genuine local experiences.
An itinerary frames the day, our conversations tailor it - both lead to a memorable day showcasing the very best our region has to offer. With Long Island Guides, it’s more than a tour, it’s an opportunity to connect, share stories and experience the true spirit of Hawke’s Bay.
Best of the Bay
Your guided journey through this unique region: A tour framed by an itinerary and shaped by conversation. Art Deco Napier, one or two wineries chosen for the day rather than a fixed list, and the view from Te Mata Peak, where the whole bay sits out in front of you at once.
Beyond that, your time with us is built around what actually interests you — local art and museums, a honey producer or gin distillery, a wellness garden, a beach or hill walk. Tell us what draws you, and we shape the day around it.
Our signature experience that touches everything at the heart of this great place - Hawke’s Bay done local, guided and personal. And the country in between — the hills, the coast, the orchards — doesn't need us to oversell it. It's simply part of the day. Lunch only on Full Day tours.
Food & Wine Lovers Delight
Hawke's Bay is one of the world's eleven Great Wine Capitals — the same shortlist as Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Each tour is a personalised mix: flagship destinations like Craggy Range, Te Mata Estate or Church Road and then the boutique cellar doors — the specialty makers who deserve attention. This is where the Chardonnay holds its own against a white Burgundy, the Syrah has real presence, and the Bordeaux-style blends age like they mean it.
Lunch (full day tours only) is at an award-winning restaurant we've chosen, not just booked. Along the way we'll introduce you to the people behind the region's other specialities — figs, strawberries, honey, coffee, gin, craft beer — and, if your day falls on a Sunday, the Farmers Market, where you'll be mixing with locals rather than visitors.
Premium tastings and extended wine experiences can be arranged on request, at additional cost. And the country in between — the hills, the coast, the orchards — doesn't need us to oversell it. It's simply part of the day.
Māori Culture & Heritage
A guided visit to an urban marae and wharenui with a local kaumātua — not a performance, a welcome. This is one of the few ways to step inside a working marae as a guest rather than an observer.
From there, a walk through an old pā site, discover how the hapū who lived here worked the land, fed their whānau, and defended the settlement.
We'll also cover how Māori ancestors navigated by the stars across the Pacific to reach New Zealand — the waka tradition behind everything that followed.
Hike the Bay
On foot rather than from the vehicle — the same access, a slower pace.
Te Mata Peak: a handful of tracks to choose from, from the easy Pīwakawaka Loop through native bush to the Rongokako Trail, past the Giant Redwoods and up to the summit — limestone cliffs with marine fossils, sheep-grazed farmland, and the view that explains why this is the region's signature walk.
Bell Rock: a limestone outcrop locals compare to an African savannah at sunrise, about 90 minutes' drive each way. Picnic lunch included.
Beach, river and estuary walks: a shorter, flatter alternative, chosen on the day to suit.
All hikes are weather-dependent, and paced to fitness, not the other way round.
Premium Winemaker & Studio
The experience built for the collector or connoisseur - Time with one of Hawke's Bay's own winemakers — not a tasting-room script, but an actual conversation about the vintage, the vineyard, and the decisions behind both.
Lunch is at an award winning winery restaurant, Craggy Range, Blackbarn or Eleven Thirty Three and in the afternoon, Smith & Sheth's multi-award winning studio brings the wine back to the senses — built for people who already know what they're tasting and want to go further. Not to be missed, this tour directly responsible for a super-yacht moored in Miami to be stocked with Smith & Sheth’s award winning wines.
Experience Design Options
Every experience above can also be built from scratch. These are the components we use most often to shape a bespoke itinerary for a client — add one to an existing day, or combine several into a multi-day program.
Premium Tastings: Craggy Range Giants, Church Road Tom, Pask Library, Te Mata Heritage, or Smith & Sheth Oenothèque.
Beaches: Ocean Beach or Waimarama Beach, whichever suits the itinerary.
Behind the Scenes: private, guided access to how a vineyard, orchard or farm actually runs — the parts a cellar door or market stall doesn't show.
Artists & Galleries: time with local artists and the galleries that show their work, chosen for the day.
Farmyard Zoo: a stop at a local farm for the animals — a natural fit for family itineraries.
Golf & Cycling: arranged and personally guided, on request — a course or a route to suit.
These options are subject to availability and pre-booking - prices are available on application