It’s a country affair, and a short drive from Taradale, Napier, or just off the Hawke’s Bay Cycle Trail Water Ride. The pub is a classic watering hole – traditional, charming and award-winning. Amazing food at great prices. It’s guaranteed you will return.

I’m not sure how old this pub is nevertheless The Rose & Shamrock is a classic Irish/English themed village pub right in Havelock North. It’s got everything - family-friendly, outdoor seating, great pub decor, menu, bar list and entertainment - and it’s usually filled with a fun crowd.

A pure country village pub, just 40 minutes from Hastings on SH 50 and a perfect stop off for lunch or drink on a road trip before travelling back via SH2. Some of Hawke’s Bay’s best gardens, grand country homes and boutique wineries are nearby.

The Westie, as this local hub is known, is Hawke’s Bay oldest pub and a sport’s bar, gaming lounge and TAB with a selection of TV screens to watch live events. It has a popular award-winning bistro on site, and just down the road is Westshore Beach Inn - good, clean budget accommodation should those local wines and craft beers prove too tempting. It’s a TripAdvisor favourite and is a popular choice in hospitality and food awards.

This classic pub has been hosting locals for more than a century and “The Duke” is still the lifeblood of the coastal and farming community. With a hearty restaurant and accommodation onsite, good ole friendly kiwi hospitality and a long sandy beach down the road it makes for a great day out or a few days of respite.

The main track starts at Tuakopae Stream Bridge off Old Kamai Road on SH29 for experienced walkers and trampers and joins up with part of the Henderson Tramline. No dogs allowed. If you don’t feel like walking the 9km loop track and fording a few streams just after crossing the clearing at the carpark head for the side track to the bottom of a 5m waterfall and a nice big swimming hole. It’s a beautiful part of the Kamai Ranges.

You’ll find this magical place on Mountain Road. Off Oropi Road. Depending how fit you feel there’s a 30-minute Rimu Loop Track or 2-hour walk to the Whataroa Waterfalls. If you want to swim slip into the deep swimming hole beneath the falls. Although you won’t see them during the day the mountain is a great kiwi hangout.

These picturesque swimming holes are about half hour walk in from Aongatete Lodge in the Kamai Ranges at the end of Wright Road near Katikati. After waking for 15 minutes take the left track down to some beautiful spots and swimming holes. Park in the carpark before the lodge so you don’t get locked in.

There’s nothing like swimming in the serenity of a bush clad pool after clear cool fresh water has tumbled over rocks and there are several good spots on this river. The single lane gravel road has a steep drop off in places until it opens up to farmland so be careful and parking spaces are limited in the gorge.

These are spectacular bush-clad falls in Welcome Bay not far from the city. The 50-metre drop cascades into a deep swimming hole, fantastic on a hot day. There’s places to bomb off and a walking track makes the climb to the top more accessible with good views back to Mount Maunganui.

It’s a great place to bomb off the wharf for a dare when the fishing boats are out. Take notice of when the locals do it and you should be okay – not for the faint-hearted.

About 1 km upriver from Rere Rock Slide on the Wharekopae River are three deep naturally formed cold bubbling spa pools carved by nature. Full of fun and bliss on a hot day. They take a bit of getting to but well worth it.

A swimmable, jumpable, hidden oasis and just the right place to beat the heat. Peaceful Maraetotara Falls is a short shady 10 minute walk along a cascading stream from the carpark and a short drive from Havelock North. Of special interest is the limestone geology and remnants of the historic Havelock North hydro-electric power station, built in 1922.

Once, only the locals did know about this hidden paradise, but it has become the world’s worst kept secret. The Rere Rockslide is free, fun and a fantastic 60-metre-long natural water slide on the smooth rock of water-worn Wharekopae River, about 50km from Gisborne. Even better if you have a boogie board, inflatable mattress and inner tube. Take a picnic and enjoy a family feast at the falls after.

Accessed by a shingle road the diverse walk takes you across farmland, under beautiful sandstone bluffs and through lowland forest to the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve and onto a breath-taking 58-metre waterfall cascading down to a swimmable pool below. It’s well-worth the one and half return journey and while you’re in this idyllic bush-clad spot take advantage of the picnic table to rest and listen to the birdsong. It’s a refreshing change from the Hawke’s Bay barren landscape of brown hills and one of the few places you can truly appreciate what the area once looked like.

Popular backpackers in the seaside village of Ahuriri. It has a sheltered deck/porch that looks across to the old fishing wharf and historic Customs House at the Iron Pot. There are bars and restaurants along West Quay and the shops aren’t far away and it’s right on the Hawke’s Bay Trails Water Ride. There are kayaks and bikes for hire nearby.

Part of an international brand this hostel is clean, comfy and friendly with good amenities and close to town and food outlets. It’s relaxed and situated on spacious grounds.

This backpackers is in a great location in a beautiful Art Deco building in Napier’s historic precinct just across the road from the MTG. Museum Theatre Gallery. It’s friendly comfortable, spacious, and a fun place in the centre of town and so close to the tourist attractions along Marine Parade.

Full of amenities and all styles of accommodation – motel units, camping, cabins and holiday units there’s a range to suit. There’s also a restaurant and bar onsite, conference facilities, swimming pool and group kitchen and dining. It’s a superb place for kids and they’ll plan all your tours so you can just relax.

Close to the city and Splash Planet this holiday park set in spacious grounds has lots of facilities at hand, including tennis court, heated pool and barbecue. There’s camping sites and a range of accommodation styles to suit your budget. People say it‘s friendly relaxing and clean.

This has got to be one of the best camping grounds. It has spotless and clean facilities. There are seven spacious cabins with queen and bunk beds and an outside deck and most have ocean views. Cooking and bathroom facilities are communal but you need your own utensils and cooking gear. Situated right under Mount Mauao Maunganui it’s a beautiful spot, close to hot pools, bars and restaurants and two great beaches.

So central and in the heart of the party and eating district. Close to shopping, transport and there’s free wifi. For a treat breakfast outside on the terrace and take in the beautiful harbour view.

Centrally located and good value in the middle of town with access to good restaurants, cafes and bars. It’s a social base in which to enjoy the many activities in the region. Amenities are clean and tidy, staff friendly and it has free Wi-Fi.

Whether you are a backpacker or a sports or school group you’ll love this place, close to Mount Maunganui’s amenities and not far from the beach. There’s a variety of hostel accommodation with shared facilities and recreational use rooms to enjoy. It’s a nice social hang out, with free surfboards and bikes to take advantage of The Mount’s sun, surf and sea.

So close to beautiful Omanu Beach and halfway between Papamoa and Mount Maunganui there’s cabins and campsites with shared facilities and self-contained units. A solar-heated pool and hot tub and everything else you’d expect from a 4-star + rated holiday park.

A must-see on the Christmas calendar is the 500,000 fairyland of sparking lights, sound and animation surrounding the Hawke’s Bay Showground lake. This colourful extravaganza has been a tradition for 17 years and opens December 12 from 9-11pm every night.

Napier’s Botanical Gardens natural amphitheatre is a perfect stage for the traditional Carols by Candlelight 6pm the Sunday before Christmas Day. Get some friends and family together, pack a hamper, glo-stick or candle and join in the family-fun of singing along with the band.

For fifteen years the manager of Flexilight has lit up his home as well as the hearts and homes of thousands of others for Christmas. The lights went on early this year when Mr Williams paid tribute to the city of light, Paris, in recognition of the terrorist attacks, lighting 187 Westminster Ave, Tamatea, in the French flag tricolours. As always it’s a superb display.

Check out this beautiful Gisborne tradition on the light trail. It will make any kid smile twinkle.

The Christmas lights have been switched on all over Hawke’s Bay. Book an Art Deco bus tour on selected dates or take your own tour through the fantastic dazzling displays in Napier, Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North. Download the lists from Tremains website.