Hawkes Bay Historic Homes 2026 - NEW TOUR

7-9 September 2026

NEW TOUR

Hawkes Bay is home to a wealth of historic homesteads—grand reminders of a bygone era when wool was king and prosperity shaped the region’s landscape. As we journey through this picturesque countryside, we’ll uncover some of these remarkable properties, also visiting a selection of notable public heritage buildings, offering insight into the rich architectural and cultural legacy of the Bay.

Day 1

Monday 07 September - Travels to Napier - Woburn Homestead

We begin our journey with collection from your home, travelling on to Woodville where we’ll meet to enjoy morning tea at the park. This is a chance to mingle, catch up with friends, and warmly welcome new faces. Lunch today is at Woburn Homestead in Waipukerau. This beautifully restored 1893 homestead is registered with Heritage NZ and was once part of a 27,000 acre sheep station. Here, we’ll enjoy stylish refreshments along with a tour of the downstairs area of the homestead and a stroll in the lovely gardens. Continuing on to Napier, we’ll unearth some of the history of the “Art Deco Capital” before checking in to our hotel, pleasantly located on Marine Parade. There will be time to relax and settle in before dining in at our hotel this evening.

Day 2

Tuesday 08 September - Historic Homesteads of Havelock North

This morning, we visit historic Duart House, built in 1882 for Alan McLean and his family. It is a beautiful example of a carefully restored and maintained colonial estate set in three acres of garden in the heart of Havelock North. McLean chose the name Duart after a castle owned by the McLeans on the Isle of Mull in Scotland, where they had lived before coming to New Zealand. A defining feature of the house is a tower with battlements, designed to remind McLean of his origins.

Next, we head to Mangapapa Homestead. These days it’s a beautiful, high-end lodge, but it was built in 1869 by Fred Nelson, who founded one of the early meatworks in the Bay. Later, Sir James Wattie – yes, the Wattie’s founder – owned the property from 1950 to 1990. We’ll enjoy lunch here in this elegant setting, along with a tour of the historic homestead and grounds.

This afternoon we visit Stoneycroft near Hastings. Built in 1875, this is a lovely Victorian colonial home and was originally the town house of Taihape farmer, W J Birch. In 2005 Hastings District Council purchased the homestead and gardens to help preserve its history. Fittingly, today it’s home to the Knowledge Bank, a digital hub for Hawke’s Bay history, which we will learn about while enjoying a tour of the house and grounds.

We return to our hotel to freshen up before departing for Mission Estate Winery – “The birthplace of New Zealand wine”. The elegantly restored historic seminary building provides a stunning location for the unique Mission Restaurant and Winery, where you’ll be guided through a wine tasting with fascinating commentary on the Mission Estate history, before enjoying a delightful dining experience.

Day 3

Wednesday 09 September - When Wool Was King – Travelling Home

Today we travel home via Highway 50 through the rolling rural landscapes of Central Hawke’s Bay. The grand old Maraekakaho Woolshed opens its creaky doors for us this morning, to reveal the layers of history within. Hosted by a local historian, we’ll learn about the once extensive Maraekakaho Station – at its peak 50,777 acres. We’ll then drive to the village to view several remaining station buildings, including the old store, school and hall, still used by the local community.

We are hosted for lunch today at Ashcott Homestead at Ashley Clinton. Our last taste of Hawke’s Bay heritage, Ashcott has stood for 160 years as a grand reminder of the early prosperity of this region. Sited on nine acres from the original 20,000-acre estate, the present owners run a B and B in the homestead. Over lunch we will learn the fascinating history of the property and enjoy a tour through the house. We are then homeward bound, meeting our transfer vehicles in Woodville where we farewell fellow travellers before delivering everyone back to their home addresses.

The cost of the tour includes

  • Woburn Homestead, lunch and tour
  • Duart House, tour
  • Mangapapa Lodge, lunch and tour
  • Stoneycroft and The Knowledge Bank, talk and tour
  • Mission Estate Winery, tastings and dinner
  • Maraekakaho Woolshed and Village, historic tour
  • Ashcott Homestead, lunch and tour
  • All coach travel
  • Accommodation
  • All Breakfasts
  • 2 course or buffet dinners

Departure Detail

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All costs associated with each tour are outlined in full within each tour itinerary. All pricing quoted is valid for the dates of tour when booked.

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A deposit as stated in the Tour Itinerary is payable to secure the booking.
The balance must be paid in full by the date stated in the Tour Itinerary.
Any reservation made within fourteen (14) days of the tour departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Cancellations, Postponements and Alterations
Cancellations by the Customer
Cancellations 45+ days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of your deposit, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.Cancellations 44 – 8 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.
Cancellations within 7 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 25% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.No refunds will be made for cancellations made within one day of departure or once travel has commenced. Refunds will not be provided for unused portions of a tour, unless the Customer can provide genuine reason and documentary evidence that services were unable to be utilised (and a refund if applicable is available from the other provider) in which case the company will review each request and may provide a partial refund at the sole discretion of the company.
Cancellations of one half of a twin share booking will result in the Customer cancelling being charged the cost of a single booking, if the Company is unable to match the twin share booking with another Customer.

Alterations by the Customer
The Customer may transfer their booking to another person for the same tour and commencement date, but only if the other person satisfies all of Tranzit Tours requirements in relation to the tour and provides us a completed Booking Form. The Customer must notify Tranzit Tours in writing of the intended transfer at least 30 days prior to the commencement date of the tour. A $60 transfer fee per person/per transfer will apply (in addition to any supplier change fees).

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In the event of cancellation or postponement by the company, Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the Customer. Customers are again advised to take out travel insurance.

Alterations by the Company
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Tranzit Tours will inform the customer as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.

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Seat Rotation
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