Self Drive Tours of Hawke’s Bay
Get under the skin of Hawke’s Bay on a ‘Road Less Travelled Tour’, customised just for you by Juliet Harbutt.
Forget the passports & long flights
Jump in the car, and come and explore the real Hawke’s Bay. Let my action-packed maps of detours & destinations help you discover places even the locals don’t know and meet the quirky, talented, unique people who make Hawke’s Bay New Zealand’s favourite destination.
Self-drive Tours
For those who love surprises & unexpected detours.
With so much choice, what you need is someone who knows the best places to see and eat, and to create a unique tour to appeal to even the smallest or most jaded traveller on your team. Rummage through charity shops, feed the eels, learn how to preserve your own olives, or create your best ever picnic. From apples to antique mirrors, pine-nut hunting to Maori Pou. Take a day or spread it over 3 days - the choice is yours.
See below for how it works
Choose one of the options below
Blind Faith & Foodie Tour
For anyone who loves fun, food and wine
Maybe you’ve been to Hawke’s Bay before and think you know it? Or maybe you think you can find all the good spots online? Want someone who really knows Hawke’s Bay to short circuit all that time and hassle? Like to see where THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED might lead? Willing to let life take you on a journey? Then this road trip for grown-ups is for you.
What’s the worst that can happen? You get lost? Pretty difficult in H B. You don’t like the destination I chose? Pick another. It’s never more than 10 minutes away! Go on give it a go.
The Fabulous Foodie Tour
For those focused on the finer things in life
Hawke’s Bay, described as “ like a day in Provence”, the long hot summers and mild winters produce the sweetest, juiciest, tastiest and most diverse range of wines, fresh fruit and vegetables in NZ if not the world.
From figs to feijoas, dumpling to olive dukkha and everything in between. Plus, we boast great walks and bike tracks for all shapes and sizes, garden centres and galleries, and an eclectic mix of cafes, bistros & restaurants. If you love food, wine, and the finer things of life. Call or email me now and we can talk details and dates.
The Great Family Escape
For all ages, shapes and tastes
Grab the kids, jump in the car, and come and discover HB. Great walks in the wetlands, beautiful waterfalls, a national aquarium, cheese shops, ice cream parlours, outdoor cafes, and places for dogs!
It’s a great family destination even, or may be especially, in winter! Hassle free parking, easy to get around [hard to get lost!!] All the major shops are here plus loads of 2nd hand shops, and excellent small boutiques to satisfy any urge for retail therapy.
This is a grand day out, full of adventure and activities to bring out the best in everyone and an opportunity to rediscover why we love NZ.
Call or email me now and we can talk details and dates.
The Te Awanga Detour
Uncover the hidden treasures of Te Awanga
Affectionately known as the gated community, Te Awanga is full of Wellingtonians, artists, beachcombers, and wineries! Known for its fishing, surfing and wild weather!
The Tour starts at Black Barn wanders through Havelock and includes some great food and wine locations, some of NZ most successful artists and galleries as well as the most eclectic card shop and stunning picnic spots or even go surfing.
If you love a walk on the wild side, good food and beautiful things this is for you.
Call or email me now and we can talk details and dates.
Hawke’s Bay Great Adventure
For groups, team building, corporate entertainment
If you are the competitive type or want a fun, team building or corporate day out, this is definitely for you.
How it works
Tours start with a briefing at my home overlooking Black Barn winery. In the morning with a coffee or maybe the evening before you start your Road Less Travelled Tour. For a leisurely experience you can spread it over 2 or 3 days or visit all the key destinations in 5 or 6 hours.
COST OF SELF DRIVE TOURS [includes maps, tasting tickets etc]
$245 for a set of maps (up to a maximum of 6 people)
Additional set of maps $125
NB Some venues will not accept groups of more than 6.
HUNTER GATHERER PACK
Contains numbered envelopes, each with an action-packed map that reveals your next destination PLUS highlights and detours you can make en route, discount vouchers, tasting tickets, entry tickets etc.
FOODIE PACK
Biodegradable cutlery, plates, glasses, etc to use if you decide to picnic en route
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CARE TO ACCEPT IT
…is to follow the route, enjoy the scenery, take detours, buy what you need for your garden, health or picnic lunch and, if you want, return to my place for a drink, a debrief and ideas for the rest of your stay in the Bay.
A Little Extra
Let me share my knowledge of cheese and wine learnt in Europe over 35 years and sign up for a quick MASTERCLASS at the end of your Tour or book a CHEESE & WINE EXPERIENCE
Cheese & Wine Masterclass 1 hour $25 pp
Cheese & Wine Experience 2.5 hours $65 pp [includes lunch]
What people are saying
“We’ve been to Hawke’s Bay a few times and weren’t sure if this would work for us but it was like we’d never been. Loved opening each envelope to see what was coming next and discovering places to walk we would never have found. Especially loved the advice on 2nd hand shops and places to eat.”
— Jill & Murray Crockett - Auckland