Napier: Te Mata Peak Trike Tour & Tukituki Valley Drive

4.99

(123 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Gloves handed over before I even realized I’d need them — that was our guide, grinning like he’d seen this nervous excitement before. We started out from Napier, right by the National Aquarium (easy for cruise folks — just hop off the shuttle), and that first blast of sea air hit me harder than my morning coffee. The trike’s engine rumbled under us as we hugged the coastline; I caught a whiff of salt and something sweet from a bakery we passed. I tried to ask about it but couldn’t hear myself over the V8 — honestly, you don’t really talk much while riding. It’s more about glancing at each other, sharing that “are you seeing this?” look as Hawke’s Bay opened up in front of us.

We cut inland along the Tukituki River — green everywhere, except for these flashes of yellow wildflowers and the odd sheep staring us down. Our guide pointed out Craggy Range winery just as we crossed a little bridge; he waved at someone working in the vines (they waved back, which made me feel weirdly included). The climb up to Te Mata Peak is no joke on a trike — hairpin turns, sun flickering through clouds, and then suddenly you’re above it all. There’s maybe 20 minutes at the top, which sounds short but actually felt long enough to let it sink in. I still think about how quiet it was up there compared to the engine noise below — just wind and distant birds.

The way down took us through orchards and vineyards again; I kept getting distracted by rows of apple trees and trying to count how many different greens there were. Not sure if that’s normal. Anyway, there’s no commentary while you’re riding (the engine drowns out most talking), but our guide answered questions when we stopped — even laughed when I asked how many times he’d done this climb (“lost count after 200”). Back in Napier before I knew it. If you’re thinking about a day trip to Te Mata Peak from Napier, this is probably not what you expect — in a good way.