Capturing vibrant colours in Hawke's Bay during Autumn

This was my second autumn in Hawke's Bay. The first, in 2024, was a big family trip, so my priorities were different. But I knew I would come back to photograph in Autumn.

I arrived about a week after a major storm and a state of emergency in the region, and I had doubts about this trip. But all worked out in the end. A lesson that I learned for future my trips, I would aim for the first or second week of May to see more stronger Autumn colours.

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You can drive to every place listed below with only short and easy walks from where you park your car. Most of my shooting was in golden hour, so it pays to plan ahead - leave enough time to drive and get set up without rushing. I often scout a spot in the afternoon so I know what to expect for the next morning.

Te Mata Peak

One of the most iconic sunrise views in the region is from Te Mata Peak, on the outskirts of Hastings. It's a short drive up and there's heaps of parking but watch out for the twists and turns winding up as you share the roads with bikes, walkers, dogs and all types of cars. If you walk around the peak you can find some integresting foreground to arrange your composition.

I had been monitoring the forecast, and that first morning was meant to stay clear of fog. I went up hoping for a bright, simple sunrise and a strong foreground composition from the spot I had scouted the day before.

I lined up the second trip hoping for a foggy morning. I did not know what I would capture, but I wanted to focus on small details in the landscape. I carried my 24-105mm and 70-200mm lens to isolate the compositions.

It was hard to describe how good it looked from up there. I spent most of my time watching the fog move over the land and the way tree shadows shifted through it. When I pointed the camera, I already knew the frame would be a keeper. The morning went so quickly, and I only realised later that I had been there for well over an hour and a half.

Waimārama Road

Waimārama Road is a scenic run through the lower country around Te Mata Peak, past farms and valleys. From my previous visit I already knew it was rewarding to shoot but dangerous in practice: the first problem is finding somewhere legal and safe to park, even if that means walking further to reach the stretch of road you want. The second problem is the traffic. I planned this shoot for a weekend, when the road tends to be quieter. But I still would not do this in very dense fog, and I would not do this kind of work alone. If you can, bring someone who can watch for cars and tell you when it is safe to step out or lift the camera.

Waimārama Beach

Follow Waimārama Road for another 20 kilometres and you reach Waimārama Beach. A long sweep of sand and clear water, popular for swimming. I wanted to photograph Motu-o-kura (Bare Island) which sits on the horizon and it's hard to miss. Luckily it was low tide which I completely forgot to check, and I walked the whole length of the beach to find a nice composition, such as; a strong foreground wth rocks.

At sunset you can watch the last light leave the island a little at a time. I waited until the nautical twilight to see some colours in the sky.

Mt Erin Lookout

Mount Erin Lookout is on Waimārama Road, past the Tukituki River bridge. The first image was taken on this trip. The morning fog was so heavy that I could barely see the peaks in the distance. The second was from an earlier trip, with open dry paddocks and a clear blue sky. I'd go back for something in between: enough fog for mood, but not so much that the mountain vanishes.

Lake Tūtira

Even though my favourite photos from the trip were the foggy shots from Te Mata Peak, the real highlight was Lake Tūtira, somewhere I had never been before. I drove there the day before to scout the place and see what it had to offer, so I could plan the next morning without feeling anxious about not knowing the landscape.

I had a feeling there would be fog or mist in the area, even though the forecast said otherwise. The next morning, as I drove in and came over the hill, I could see patches of fog in the valleys and I got very excited. I reached the lake, but the fog only lasted about twenty minutes before it disappeared completely. Scouting the day before paid off. After taking the photos I had planned, I sat down by the lake and enjoyed a quiet moment of mindfulness.

There is a more advanced hiking track called the Table Top loop track, but I was not up for that kind of challenge that day.

If you walk further along the lake, you reach the campground, a very quiet place to spend the night. I would definitely stay there on my next visit.

I was mesmerised by the beauty of the place and curious to see how the light would change the landscape at sunset, so I came back later that day, around 3pm. The wind had picked up, the light was soft and warm, and autumn leaves were falling from the trees. The photos below are from that second visit.

It is a simple lesson: some places are worth returning to again and again. Each visit can feel new when the conditions change.

Oak Tree Avenues

Hawke's Bay has plenty of beautiful oak-lined avenues across the region. Some run through private property, so be respectful of residents and boundaries. The first image is from near the roundabout where Lawn Road and Te Mata Mangateretere Road meet, right at the start of Te Mata Mangateretere Road. Side-back light made the shadows of the oak trees pop, and faint mist in the field softened the light into a moody shot.

The second is Ormond Road, taken from my earlier trip. It is a public road closer to Hastings. The sun was higher by then and the trees were lit from above and revealed more detail.

Once you start looking for these oak-lined avenues, you will notice many more worth a careful, considerate visit.

I have made a personal note of more locations for my next visit.

The Bay View Beach

Bay View Beach is on State Highway 2 (SH2). I stopped there on the way back from Lake Tūtira for a few shots in nautical twilight.

The campsite I stayed, backed onto the same beach. I have written more about the accommodation below.

Historical Churches

There are quite a few herritage sites in the Hawke's Bay region. I visited two places so far and more to visit in the future. Watch out for this space.

The first two photos were taken at the Church of Pukehou. It's located on State Highway 2 in Pukehou, about 50 km from Napier, a small Gothic Revival style church with a strong sense of local history. This church is very easy to miss from the road: driving south on SH2, look to your left between Te Onepu Road and Boundary Road.

Another week would have brought stronger autumn colour on the trees. I visited at the end of April, which felt a little early. For peak colour, I would aim for the first or second week of May instead.

The third photo is the Old Church on Meeanee Road, a well-known spot for weddings and other events.

Accomodation

For my whole trip I stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park in Napier. It was a convenient location for the places on this list, and I would happily stay there again. They have cabins to suit different group sizes, along with non-powered sites for tents or powered sites for campervans. Worth checking their website for what fits your trip.