16 Fantastic Must-Do Attractions in Napier, New Zealand

There are so many attractions in Napier, not just the Art Deco, and that doesn’t count all the wineries you can visit. Your first stop should be the iSite, where you can choose your activity and book it.

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Attractions in Napier

There are attractions for the whole family, including a great skate park on the site of the old Marineland (with an ice cream bar) and a mini-golf course next to the iSite.

How to Get Here

The Napier iSite is at 100 Marine Parade on the Napier waterfront. Mini Golf is next door.

Art Deco Guided Tour

I must start with the Art Deco Guided Tour, as it attracts the most people to Napier and provides a great introduction to the city’s history.

I did the 4.30 pm tour for 2 hours on a Thursday evening. This tour offers a great insight into the history of Napier and the buildings that have been built since the 1931 earthquake.

You start with a 20-minute film on what Napier was like before, during and after the earthquake that devastated the city.

Outside, you will walk approximately 2 km, stopping frequently to hear about the buildings that rose from the ashes of the fires after the earthquake and how Art Deco has survived and thrived over the years.

Stories of the people behind the bricks and mortar, as well as certain aspects that would otherwise be overlooked, are highlighted during this hour-and-a-half walk.

This tour is a must-do for those with limited time in Napier.

How to Get Here

Tours depart from the Art Deco Centre, located at 7 Tennyson Street, Napier.

Times and Prices

For information on seasonal tour times and prices, please visit their website.

MTG Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery

The MTG Hawke’s Bay Museum and Art Gallery offers free entry, providing an insight into Napier’s history, along with exhibits in the art gallery located on the upper floors.

Current and future exhibits can be found on their website and are located on the ground and first floors. However, a must-see is the story of the 1931 Earthquake in the basement.

The stories and artefacts take you back to that fateful day, February 3, 1931, at 10:47 a.m. A film of survivors’ memories transports you back to the days before, during, and after the earthquake. The retelling of the events that happened that day and their accounts of the conditions days before is, in hindsight, an indication of what was to come.

How to Get Here

The MTG Hawke’s Bay is at 1 Tennyson Street, Napier.

Hours

Daily 9.30 am-5.00 pm

Admission

Free

The National Aquarium of New Zealand

On the waterfront, the National Aquarium of New Zealand sits proudly alongside the Spirit of Napier.

Opened in 1976 in its present location, it welcomed 230,082 visitors in its first year, and I may have been one of them.

The National Aquarium houses aquatic life not only in New Zealand but around the world. You walk through rooms with pools and tanks showing fish up close that we don’t see in everyday life, like Piranha.

Reptiles such as the American Alligator, Tortoises, and Tuatara share the space with Kiwi, tropical fish, penguins, and sharks.

A tunnel takes you on an underwater adventure where the water is above and beside you, and you can see sharks, stingrays, and other fish gliding over the dome. It’s a great view, especially of the stingrays, as you can see their smiling faces.

To take part in guided tours, click here. School holiday program information can be found here.

The National Aquarium is a great place for all the family or your inner child.

How to Get Here

The National Museum is on the southern end of Marine Parade. You can either drive or walk from the City Centre.

Hours

Daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (including public holidays). Last entry 4:30 pm.

Closed Christmas Day.

Admission

For prices, booking and animal feeding times, please click here.

Napier Prison

Napier Prison is currently closed as of April 2024 due to concerns regarding the structural integrity of the buildings and retaining walls.

As New Zealand’s oldest prison, Napier Prison has seen the best and worst of Napier. It withstood the 1931 earthquake and has held many infamous prisoners over the years.

Once inside, you can follow a self-guided audio tour. With corresponding numbers on the walls, you can punch them into the device to hear the commentary of the area you are in.

Many interesting facts are also displayed on the walls, including those about the prisoners who were incarcerated there. There are also incredible stories. One was the son of a guard waking at midnight to see a prisoner re-entering the prison with KFC. Another was prisoners escaping, even though the walls were smoothed down so they couldn’t get a grip.

There are also the horror stories of centuries gone by of children as young as eight being locked up for a petty crime. People also paid 1 or 2 shillings to view the hangings as if they were entertainment. Executed prisoners were then buried standing up to ensure that they never rested in peace.

Gangs were also a significant part of recent history. The most infamous gang in New Zealand is the Mongrel Mob. The gang originated in the 1960s with Pākehā (European men), although it is now predominantly Māori. Legend says they got their name from a Judge in Hastings, who referred to the men before him as “mongrels.”

It has also been the subject of shows like Ghost Hunters International, which have used their instruments to find evidence of paranormal activity. You can also do night tours and find out for yourself.

It also features escape rooms for you and your friends to enjoy.

How to Get Here

The Napier Prison is at 55 Coote Road on Bluff Hill.

Hours

Currently Closed.

Waterfront Walk

With just over 2km of activities along the Napier waterfront, it’s a great walk with sights to see and activities to do.

The Napier beachfront isn’t your usual beach. It’s not a safe place to go swimming any time of the year. You also have to be careful along the water’s edge, as it is known for rogue waves. People have been known to be knocked down and taken out to sea.

Pania of the Reef

Pania’s story is a Maori legend. She was a beautiful maiden who lived in the sea. Every night, she would swim to the shore, go up a stream, and watch the local chief, Karitoki. One night, she put a spell on him, and when he saw her, he fell in love with her and took her to be his wife.

Every morning, she would go back to the sea, but Karitoki wanted her to be with him all the time. He consulted a wise elder in the village who told him that if she swallowed hot food, she would not be allowed back to the sea.

When she was asleep that night, Karitoki tried to feed her, but at that moment, a Morepork let out a cry, waking Pania. In a panic, she fled to the sea with her son, never to return.

Even today, if you look down in the water, you can see Pania with arms outstretched to Karitoki. Their son is now the guardian of the Bay, a spirit who may be seen as a shark, an octopus or a stingray.

Tom Parker Fountain

In 1936, Tom Parker donated £ 1,000 toward the cost of an electric fountain in Napier, to be known as the Tom Parker Fountain. He chose the site, and the Napier Borough Council contributed towards any further costs.

Trouble with labourers and parts threatened the opening date, but the fountain was turned on the day before Christmas Eve from the Sound Shell by Tom Parker under rainy skies. Over 82 years later, tourists still come down to the waterfront to see the fountain. At night, it’s lit by changing colours.

Sunken Gardens

Opened in 1969, the gardens are a great escape from street-level traffic above. As you descend the steps, you are led into colourful gardens featuring plants, sculptures, and water features. In December and January, the Pohutukawa blossom is in full bloom, adding to the vibrant colours of the gardens.

Bluff Hill Walk (or Drive)

Walking up, you start across the road from the Ocean Spa on the waterfront, where you’ll find Coote Road (the same road as the Prison), and then all you need to do is follow the signs up. From Coote Road, take Priestley Road, then on the right-hand side, near the end, you have the Bluff Hill Track taking you through to Priestley Terrace. Turn right at the top onto Lighthouse Road, and you can either follow this to the top or, on the left-hand side, another track takes you up to the lookout.

From the top, you can view the port, Westshore, and the coast toward the Mahia Peninsula.

How to Get Here

If you want to drive up, the starting point remains the same at Coote Road. This time, however, you turn right onto Thompson Road, which leads to Lighthouse Road on the right. Follow this road to the top.

Napier Botanical Gardens

The Napier Botanical Gardens are 18 acres of gardens, duck ponds and a bird aviary.

You can walk up from Spencers Road car park past the Duck Pond and up, where you can visit the Old Napier Cemetery.

Tours of Old Napier Cemetery are held once a month on a Sunday during summer. Check with iSite or the MGT Museum for details.

How to Get Here

The Napier Botanic Gardens are located at 19 Spencer Road, Hospital Hill. The Old Napier Cemetery entrance is accessible via Hospital Terrace, Hospital Hill.

Attractions Heading Out of Napier

There are attractions not only in Napier but also outside of it. Ensure you have a car to get around these areas, making your stay even more enjoyable.

Cycle Path

Hire a bicycle at one of the hire places on the waterfront in Napier and enjoy kilometres of fun along the cycleway.

You can cycle from Bay View, just north of Napier, to Cape Kidnappers, on 200km of trails. Along the waterfront, past wetlands, and even cycling to wineries, there is something for everyone on the cycleway.

How to Get Here

Clive is halfway between Napier and Hastings. The access points to the cycleway in Clive are off Ferry Road. You can also follow the cycleway from Napier along the waterfront.

Te Ana Falls

The Tangoio Scenic Reserve is a great place to visit, just a half-hour out of Napier.

Two waterfalls, Te Ana Falls and Tangoio Falls, are situated here. You can also walk back up to White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve, which is about an hour and a half away.

Te Ana Falls is a 30-40 minute return walk on a good, flat track, but the path can become muddy. After you cross the bridge, there are picnic tables where you can enjoy lunch or a snack before or after your walk.

This waterfall was one of the most surprising I have seen. It is hidden from you until the last minute.

There hasn’t been much, if any, rain over the summer, and I’d like to come back in the Spring to see how much more powerful the falls would be.

Tangoio Falls

The turn-off for Tangoio Falls is 5 minutes before Te Ana Falls on the track.

This track is mostly uphill and would be very muddy if it had been raining, as there was a bit of mud despite no rain lately, when I did it.

When you finally get to the top (about 20 minutes from the turn-off), you have a wooden lookout that gives a great view of the falls. Once again, it is somewhere I like to come back to in Spring when the falls are at their most powerful.

How to Get Here

The car park for both Falls is located on State Highway 2 towards Gisborne. It’s a 26-minute (27 km) drive from Napier City Centre.

Pekapeka Wetlands

Just 10 minutes outside of Havelock North, on State Highway 2, is the Pekapeka Wetlands, a lovely spot to walk around and observe the local wildlife.

You can walk up to the lookout and see the boardwalks over the water, which offer opportunities to explore on both the left and right-hand sides. Over the boardwalk, you can follow the track up to Totara Hill, where you can have a snack or lunch using the picnic table.

You can go towards the lookout and then take the path to the other boardwalk to see more water birds. This path also takes you back to the car park.

How to Get Here

Pekapeka Wetlands are located at Roys Hill on State Highway 50, 25 minutes (26 km) from Napier City Centre.

Te Mata Peak

Just out of Havelock North is Te Mata Peak. Like Bluff Hill in Napier, Te Mata Peak offers stunning views across Hawke’s Bay, the surrounding mountain ranges, Hastings, Napier, and out to sea.

You can drive or walk up, taking about 5 minutes to walk around and up to the peak. There is also a Redwood Forest nearby where you can take a walk. You can park at the picnic grounds as you start up the hill. Here is a map of the tracks, or you can drive all or most of the way up.

How to Get Here

Te Mata Park is a 36-minute (27 km) drive from Napier City Centre. Take the Napier Road towards Havelock North and follow the signs for the Peak.

Maraetotara Falls

Maraetotara Falls is a quick and easy walk you can drive to or cycle to. It’s only a 20-minute return walk. It is a nice track, but it can get muddy when wet.

The track begins by descending and then follows the stream upstream to the falls.

When you reach the falls, you will find a large pool that is great for swimming in the summer. Around the left side, you’ll find another smaller waterfall, which has a lovely mossy cliff face.

How to Get Here

The Falls are located at 394 Maretotara Falls Road. It’s a 34-minute (34 km) drive from Napier City Centre via State Highway 51 and Waimarama Road.

Conclusion

There are many more attractions in Napier, Hastings, Havelock North and further afield. Hopefully, this has given you a taste of what’s on offer when you visit this fantastic area.

If you visit in February, be sure to check out the Art Deco Festival, which lasts approximately five days over a long weekend. I visited the 2019 festival, and you can read about my experience on my blog here. For more information on places to visit on the North Island, click here.

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Links

If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them at the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art. Alternatively, if you’re interested in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their respective links.

Travel Resources

• Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
• Car Hire— In New Zealand, you can use Apex Car Rentals New Zealand, Avis New Zealand or Budget New Zealand for all your travelling and exploring needs.
• Camper & RV Rentals—Want a quieter pace exploring Australia and New Zealand in your own accommodation? Jucy Rentals and Star RV Rentals will give you an unforgettable experience travelling.
• Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels.
• Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
• House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
• Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
• Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
• Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
• Power Stations—Bluetti and EcoFlow Power Stations are your choices for sustainable, eco-friendly power on the go or at home.

• For more tips, try my Travel Links and Resources page.

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