Taradale

Taradale had a population of 16,599 in the 2006 Census. It was a separate town until it merged with Napier in 1968, and is only a 10-minute drive from the CBD of that tourist destination. It has more than a third of Napier district’s population and is one of the most important areas in the region, with one of the highest socio-economic demographic profiles in Hawke's Bay. Many of its residents commute to the Napier or Hastings CBD and prefer rural or suburban life rather than the city life of central Napier.
It's a prosperous, established community nestled against the Taradale hills in an area rich in wine heritage dating back to the 1850s. Two of Hawke's Bay's most famous vineyards, Mission Estate and Church Road, are in the area and together attract over 300,000 tourists a year.

By road

• From Napier: Prebensen Drive, Kennedy Road, Meeanee Road, Taradale Road.
• From Hastings: State Highway 50 or Napier-Hastings Expressway 50A.

By bus

• There is a regular route 12 bus from Napier and Hastings. There are two buses per hour weekday daytime, but the last bus leaves Napier at 6PM, and the service is hourly on Saturday and once every two hours on a Sunday.

Driving or biking are the best options although, because of its compact nature, walking is also an option.

• Art deco buildings. The former Taradale Town Hall (1932), cnr Lee Rd & Meeanee Rd, is an attractive example. McDonald's Art Deco Family Restaurant, opposite on Meeanee Rd, previously Taradale's first hotel, has its features partly obscured by McDonald's signs.

• Silky Oak Chocolate Factory

  address: 1131 Links Rd
  The Silky Oak Chocolate Company is a family-owned business which was founded in January 2000. The company has a growing selection of chocolate delicacies. It has a chocolate museum and tours where you can look into (but not enter) the factory.

• Taradale Clock TowerThe Taradale clock tower was built in 1923 as a Taradale and District World War I Memorial. The tower is where several roads converge and is a prominent landmark.

Wineries

Some of the region’s oldest wineries are at Taradale.

• Mission Estate Winery

  address: Church Rd
  One of New Zealand’s oldest winemaking concerns, it has become a very significant tourist attraction. The Mission Estate Wineries Mount St. Mary Seminary building has been completely refurbished to accommodate a first class restaurant and function rooms. The Mission is a favourite venue for weddings. The well known “Mission Concert” has been held every February for many years.

• Church Road WineryFounded in 1897 by Bartholemew Steinmetz, a lay brother from the Marist Mission, this winery is one of the oldest in Hawke's Bay. Some of its most illustrious years were spent under the leadership of pioneer winemaker, Tom McDonald, now widely acknowledged as the father of New Zealand's premium red wine industry. The winery buildings have been refurbished and include a restaurant and function room together with a Wine Museum housed underground, traces the history and techniques of winemaking.

• Moana Park WineryA small family-owned boutique winery 5 km from Taradale in the western hills. Draws fruit from both the Gimblett Gravels appelation and the Dartmoor Valley. Offers wines such as the best Viognier in the World (rated by Decanter) to multi-award winning Merlot, and Chardonnay.

• Other wineries near the area include Brookfield's Vineyards, Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery, Dobel Estate, on the banks of the Tutaekuri River, and Tironui Estate nestled just below Sugarloaf Peak.

• Sugar Loaf ReserveThe 127-m hill known as Sugar Loaf or Pukekura dominates the Skyline of the western hills above Taradale and its distinctive shape can be seen from all over Taradale and parts of Napier. Eastern views from the summit cover the Napier-Taradale area and much of the Heretaunga Plains, while western views include the Ruahine and Kaweka Ranges. The track to the summit is steep especially from the Cumberland Rise entrance. The walk is graded moderate to difficult. Care should be taken in wet conditions.

• Otatara paThe largest pa you can visit in New Zealand. The views from this site are outstanding. You can see Napier, across to Cape Kidnappers and out to the sea. It is possible on a clear day to see Ruapehu in the centre of the North Island. It’s no wonder that Otatara was the most prized pa in Hawke’s Bay and its ownership was so strongly contested. Otatara Pa is close to Taradale and is signposted clearly. Look out for the palisades on the hill above the Eastern Institute of Technology.

Taradale also has several large parks and reserves, Taradale Park and Centennial Park, Anderson Park, Dobel Reserve, Tareha Recreational Reserve.

Gloucester St, the main street and shopping area of Taradale in the Town Centre, is within 2 km of the wineries and benefits from the regular influx of visitors attracted by the wineries. It has many boutique and local stores.

Budget

• Four Square Taradale

  address: 230 Gloucester St
  Grocery store.

• Heaven's Bakery & Cafe Taradale

  address: 297 Gloucester St
  Has won numerous awards starting with New Zealand Baker of the Year six times, the Great Kiwi Pie Competition and in 2002 the Hawkes Bay Business of the Year Award.

• Heaven's Bakery Greenmeadows

  address: 6 Gloucester St

• Heaven's Bakery Meeanee Road

  address: 11 Meeanee Rd
  Bakery and cafe.

• McDonald's Restaurant

  phone: +64 6 845-9292
  address: 330 Gloucester St
  The chain restaurant; this one's in an art deco former hotel.

• New World Greenmeadows

  address: 9 Gloucester St
  The main supermarket. For cheaper prices, you have to travel out of Taradale to Pak N Save in Tamatea.

• Subway Taradale

  address: 480 Gloucester St

Mid-range

• Church Road Winery

  address: 150 Church Rd
  Over 100 years of winemaking. At the cellar door, open daily from 10AM to 5PM (excluding most public holidays), you can taste and buy all Church Road wines, including the limited release Cuve Series and iconic TOM range. Special events over summer months in beautiful park-like grounds. Check back regularly for the latest news on what's on at Church Road.

• The Duke of Gloucester

  phone: +64 6 835-8815
  address: 389 Gloucester St
  Restaurant and bar. The innovative menu utilises the best fresh meat, seafood and produce that are in season.

• Londoner

  address: 246 Gloucester St
  Restaurant and bar.

• Mission Restaurant

  address: 198 Church Rd
  The restored seminary building at Mission Estate Winery provides a stunning location for this unique, award-winning restaurant. Exquisite cuisine is served daily, with the lunch menu and dinner menu changing regularly to reflect the seasonal influence. Nestled in the Taradale hills, diners enjoy sweeping views of Napier city and the coast beyond. Beautiful by day and spectacular by night, the vista is unparalleled in Hawke’s Bay. The outdoor dining terrace is drenched in summer sun while the indoor restaurant spaces have been cleverly designed to provide intimate dining.

• The Puketapu Restaurant and Bar

  phone: +64 6 844-7206
  address: 679 Puketapu Rd, Puketapu
  Traditional country pub with a restaurant and bar built in the 1800s. It's in the middle of Hawke's Bay's bike tracks, ideal for a cycle break. Family-friendly Hawkes Bay Hospo award winner 2011.

• Thai Lotus Restaurant

  address: 275 Gloucester St

• Taradale Club

  address: 55 Wharerangi Rd
  Restaurant. A fun and relaxing atmosphere.

There are a few hotels and several upmarket bed and breakfasts, but the majority can be found in other parts of Napier.

• Ballina Motel

  phone: +64 6 845-0648
  address: 393 Gloucester St
  A luxury (4-star plus) motel. 16 self-contained, air-conditioned, spacious, luxury suites in a quiet residential location. Midway between Napier (10 min/8 km) and Hastings (15mmin/14 km) city centres. Stylish and comfortable studio, 1 and 2-bedroom suites. All smokefree. Access facilities. Kitchenette with microwave. Twin/queen/king-size beds. Double spa baths. Sky Digital TV (2nd TV in bedroom). Desk with free broadband internet access. Private sunny balconies.

• Nearby Napier
• Hastings