Flaxmere

Flaxmere has a population of 10,000. It was intended as a housing development area so Hastings could continue to grow without damaging the valuable horticultural land of the Heretaunga Plains. Flaxmere was built on the poor soil areas of the Heretaunga Plains, and not much grows there. The value of the gravel-filled soil that Flaxmere is built around has since been recognized, leading to a proliferation of vineyards. These vineyards produce some of the best wine in the world.

• Turn left at the huge roundabout where Omahu road leaves Hastings and crosses State Highway 2a
• Enter near Flaxmere from the Bridge Pa aerodrome

Being a suburb that was planned with modern town planning knowledge (about 1964), Flaxmere has many large and varied green spaces that are good value to explore.

• Flaxmere Park. This huge park has very nice rose gardens and is interesting to explore.
• Flaxmere Avenue. Travels the length of Flaxmere.

• Flaxmere is surrounded by many of Hawke's Bay's more famous wineries and vineyards
• Flaxmere Waterworld, Swansea Rd, +64 6 8797676. A large heated indoor swimming pool. Cost $1 to get into the heated pools. They have huge inflatable toys for the kids to play on.

• Flax Rock Adventure Centre

  address: 8 Swansea Rd
  Indoor rock climbing and other activities.

• Most of Flaxmere's CBD is on a long strip along Swansea Road.
• Rural roads leading into Flaxmere offer roadside produce stalls and shops

Like most of Hastings, Flaxmere is surrounded by wineries. All are excellent places to eat and drink. All of the hours presented here are cellar door hours for visiting and buying – restaurant hours are probably different, best to check.

• Crossroads Winery

  address: 1747 Korokipo Rd, State Highway 50 (between Fernhill and Taradale)

• Trinity Hill Winery

  address: 2396 State Highway 50, RD 5, Fernhill

• Te Awa Winery

  address: 2375 State Highway 50, RD 5
  Quite nice. Offers a la carte dining noon-2:30PM

• Unison Vineyards

  address: 2163 State Highway 50

• Hatton Estate Vineyard & Winery

  address: 124 Gimblett Rd

• Matariki Wines

  address: 52 Kirkwood Rd
  Groups and tours by arrangement. Has cheese boards.

Flaxmere itself has little accommodation, most local lodging being in the rest of Hastings.

• Flaxmere Tavern

  address: Swansea Rd