Napier is a vibrant coastal city that is extremely proud of its Art Deco heritage, while embracing the latest lifestyle trends and an award-winning wine industry on the plains.
There's much more to Hawke's Bay than wine and sunshine! From the stunning craggy slopes of Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers, to the National Aquarium and the wet and wild fun of Splash Planet, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Hawke's Bay.
To plan your perfect mix of fun and pleasure, we recommend that you checkout hawkesbaynz.com or check out one of the inner-city highlights below.
Art Deco
Find out more about the devastating 1931 earthquake and the rebuild of the city in the style of the times - Art Deco. There are daily guided walks starting from $24 per person, vintage car tours starting at $125 for 4 people, the Art Deco centre has fabulous Art Deco inspired homewares and giftware’s for sale. Each year Napier hosts the Art Deco festival in February where 40,000 people arrive dressed in Deco and take part in five fabulous days of Art Deco festival fun.
MTG Hawke's Bay
Visit Hawke's Bay's award - winning museum, home of the region's taonga and other treasures. Explore the artefacts in the Taonga Māori Gallery and discover the remarkable story of the region's recovery following the devastating earthquake in 1931. The museum also showcases changing exhibitions of art, culture and social history, while MTG's Century Theatre features film, live theatre, music and more. With activities for children, a gift shop and so much to see, the museum is a must-do experience for visitors and locals alike. Free entry.
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Discover an exciting world above and below the water at the National Aquarium of New Zealand. Visit Penguin Cove and watch the Little Penguins feed and play. See sharks, stingrays and fish swimming over you in the 1.5 million litre oceanarium tunnel. Spot New Zealand’s native wildlife – the Tuatara and Kiwi. And for those who want to see the toothy residents don’t miss the alligator, piranhas and sharks. If you’d like to get up close to the animals ask about their range of Close Encounter experiences. Daily feeding times are 10.00am for the reef fish, 2pm for the sharks and the little penguins at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Also stop in to enjoy refreshments at the Fishbowl Café.
Napier Prison Tours
Napier Prison is the oldest penal complex in New Zealand, having opened in 1862, closed its doors in 1993. In 2002 it was restored to its present state and used as a backpackers. Currently Napier Prison is open to the public for Self Guided Audio Tours, Escape Room Experience and Night Scare Tours. Napier Prison offers self-guided tours, available seven days a week from 9am-5pm and do not require pre-booking. Self guided tours are audio tours which are available in more than 15 different languages. Take your MUG SHOT! and even get your FINGERPRINTS done as a souvenir to take home. Listen to stories of villains, victims and heroes while you wander through the cells. Get locked up in solitary confinement or a padded cell before stepping into the hanging yard and walking past the graveyard.
Hawke's Bay also has many more wonderful attractions to see and do. To view more click on the button below.