Fernhill: Wineries, Wine Tastings and Cycle Routes

Fernhill brings together two tangible travel interests: wine and cycling. A section of the Hawke’s Bay Trails Wineries Ride runs along the right bank of the Ngaruroro from Fernhill to the Waitangi Estuary. There are also wine tastings at Swift Wines and the architecturally designed winery at Trinity Hill.

Wine and a Cycle Route in Fernhill

The longer version of the Wineries Ride passes through open river sections to Fernhill. It is about 33 kilometres long; starting from Clive, the route is about 60 kilometres. The Hawke’s Bay Trails Wineries Ride can also be started near Fernhill at Roys Hill. Check current route conditions before setting out.

There are ten cellar doors along the Wineries Ride. Many offer food and non-alcoholic drinks as well as wine. The longer version reaches Fernhill; the ten stops are spread along the route and are not all located in the town. Individual business offerings may change.

Swift Wines offers wine tastings. Visitors can also put together their own snack platter from the delicatessen fridge; check with the business for current arrangements. Trinity Hill offers a different experience: the architecturally designed winery has extensive gardens where visitors can relax over a glass of award-winning wine.

The different route lengths provide a concrete point of reference. Consider whether you mainly want to include wine, cycling, or both in your trip.

More to Explore in the Hastings District

In the wider destination of the Hastings District, the Hastings Heritage Trails lead to cultural, historical and scenic highlights. A visitor information notice dated 4 May 2026 describes the trails as open year-round, free to access and available without booking. The Hastings District also offers a broader setting for cyclists: the Hawke’s Bay Trails are among New Zealand’s 23 Great Rides and include 200 kilometres of easy-to-ride cycle routes through the Hastings District and Napier.

Gardens and natural areas offer further highlights. Cornwall Park in the Hastings District is home to the traditional Chinese-style Osmanthus Garden. Its features include a large pond, pavilions, the Friendship Bridge and the Crooked Bridge, as well as bamboo and fragrant osmanthus plants. Frimley Park is a reserve in the style of an English landscape garden, with more than 5,500 roses in formal gardens. Its playground includes bongo drums, speaking tubes, a wheelchair-accessible carousel, swings, slides, a climbing net structure and a scooter track. Guthrie-Smith Arboretum is an important collection area for many plant species and a refuge for birds and native wildlife.

There are different ways to combine activity and scenery in the Hastings District: visitors can drive along Te Mata Peak Road to the summit of Te Mata Peak. Mohaka Rafting offers full-day and multi-day adventures on grade 2, 3 and 5 white water. These examples add more options in the wider destination to Fernhill’s focus on wine and cycling.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Porangahau, Waipukurau, Patoka, Raukawa, Eskdale, Urewera National Park, Bridge Pa, Haumoana.

To the broader travel overview: Hawkes Bay.