Festival road trip: Hawke's Bay to Homegrown — Wellington

The Six Sisters, Marine Parade, Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown

Music festivals normally book big-name global artists to lure a crowd, leaving local artists sitting at the bottom of the line-up in small print. But Wellington's Homegrown festival (kicking it since 2008) is filled exclusively with Kiwi musicians. Six stages are split by genre and wandering through them is the best way to discover new artists, surrounded in a carnival-like atmos. Here are some ideas for travellers from Gisborne or Hawke's Bay to the capital.

1 Six Sisters, Napier

Sadly, you won't find six sisters in matching headscarves inside this cafe, but if you look from the outside you'll see six quaint two-storey Victorian buildings from the 1890s all standing in a row. Hence the name. They make good coffee and freshly baked goods.

1 Marine Parade, Napier South

2 Supertrike, Napier

Where else can you ride around in a gigantic five-seater souped-up motorbike, not wear a helmet, and tell the driver where to go? You're already on a roadie but a 40-minute blast with Vic will put you in a rock star mood for Homegrown. Make sure you ask for some open-road, full-throttle moments.

2a Battery Rd, Napier

3 Rush Munroe, Hastings

The first-time Rush Munroe opened its doors it sold out by the end of the day. That was 1926 and it's been smashed with customers ever since. The natural icecream, with no additives or funny stuff, includes lots of local Hawke's Bay fruit. The feijoa sorbet is the bomb.

704 Heretaunga St West

4 Haumoana Burgers

Run by a team who get what a premium burger is, Haumoana Burgers serve up local fish, free-range chicken, or beef on a brioche bun with a cracking slaw. The vegan option is tasty and the back garden's so good you might not even set foot on the rugged beach - but go on .. . .

Open Thursday to Sunday. 51 Haumoana Rd, Haumoana

Te Paerahi Beach. Photo / Duncan Brown

5 Te Paerahi Beach

It's off the main drag (48 minutes from Waipukurau) but Te Paerahi is the best old-school beach for a swim and quick lounge on some golden sand. There's a pub serving up country-style home cooking and 10 minutes south is the longest place name in the world. You won't be able to say it quickly but you will get a good selfie next to Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. You can also freedom camp at Te Paerahi.

6 Kaituna Swimming Hole, Masterton.

The Waingawa River is cold on the hottest of days and Kaituna has been a local swimming fave since the 50s because of the massive holes for bombing and the highest cliff jump in Wairarapa. Check the river safety report first.

Upper Plain Rd, Kaituna

7 Wellington, Garage Project

If you're not heading straight for the shower or festival then slip into Garage Project's bohemian taproom and discuss festival strategy over craft beers and hot cheese dip and bread. If you're heading home via SH57, stop at Kimberly Rd Reserve, Ohau for a really good river dip.

Lowdown

roadtrippers.com
homegrown.net.nz