Napier / Hawke’s Bay

Best arrival airport

Hawke’s Bay Airport (NPE) — domestic only

Getting around

goBay buses serve Napier and Hastings; a car or tour is best for wineries and coastal sights

Typical transfer

NPE to central Napier: usually 10–15 min

Art Deco precinct

From the centre: In Napier centre • usually walkable

Visit information: Public streets open at all times; Art Deco Centre tours and shop use published hours

Central Napier’s nationally significant collection of 1930s Art Deco and Spanish Mission buildings, best explored on foot or guided tour.

MTG Hawke’s Bay

From the centre: In Napier centre • usually walkable

Visit information: Galleries open daily on published hours except Christmas Day; exhibition changes may restrict rooms

Napier’s museum, theatre and gallery covering the 1931 earthquake, regional history, art and taonga.

Marine Parade

From the centre: 0.3 km • about 4 min walk from Napier centre

Visit information: Public promenade open at all times; individual attractions have separate hours

Napier’s long seafront promenade linking gardens, memorials, public art, playgrounds and ocean viewpoints.

Napier Prison

From the centre: 0.3 km • about 4 min walk from Napier centre

Visit information: Open on published visitor hours; guided and evening experiences require booking

A former prison on Napier Hill offering self-guided and guided visits through historic cell blocks and yards.

National Aquarium of New Zealand

From the centre: 1 km • about 12 min walk or 5 min drive

Visit information: Open daily on published hours except Christmas Day; last admission is before closing

A Marine Parade aquarium presenting New Zealand aquatic life, ocean species, reptiles and conservation displays.

Hawke’s Bay Trails

From the centre: Central access points • allow 5–15 min from Napier centre

Visit information: Trails open daily; check current closures, weather and surface conditions before riding

A regional cycling network connecting coast, wetlands, vineyards and towns across mostly easy terrain.

Ahuriri

From the centre: 3 km • about 7 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Public waterfront accessible daily; businesses set individual hours

A harbour-side Napier neighbourhood with a waterfront path, historic buildings, cafés and marina views.

Bluff Hill Lookout

From the centre: 3 km • about 8 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Access follows current road and reserve notices; visit in daylight and avoid obstructing residents

A hilltop lookout over Napier Port, Hawke Bay and the coastline, reached by a steep road or walk.

Mission Estate Winery

From the centre: 8 km • about 12 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Cellar door and restaurant use separate published hours; tastings and dining should be booked

New Zealand’s oldest surviving winery, with a Taradale cellar door, historic buildings and restaurant.

Church Road Winery

From the centre: 8 km • about 12 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Open on published cellar-door hours; tours and tastings require a reserved session

A historic Taradale winery offering cellar-door tastings, wine experiences and seasonal food service.

Silky Oak Chocolate Company

From the centre: 11 km • about 15 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Open on published daytime hours; café, shop and museum closing times may differ

A chocolate shop, café and small museum north of Hastings focused on local confectionery production.

Birdwoods Gallery

From the centre: 17 km • about 20 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Open on published daytime hours; seasonal and public-holiday changes apply

A Havelock North-area gallery, sculpture garden, shop and café set in established grounds.

Pekapeka Wetlands

From the centre: 17 km • about 20 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Public reserve open during daylight; remain on formed paths and boardwalks

A restored wetland south of Hastings with short boardwalks, interpretation and bird habitat.

Craggy Range

From the centre: 22 km • about 25 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Tastings and restaurant sittings operate by reservation on the official calendar

A prominent winery beneath Te Mata Peak with a cellar door, restaurant and landscaped estate.

Hastings Farmers Market

From the centre: 21 km • about 25 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Sunday 8:30 AM–12:30 PM; event or holiday arrangements can vary

A large regional producers’ market at the Tōmoana Showgrounds with food, produce and artisan goods.

Cape Kidnappers

From the centre: 21 km • about 25–35 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Beach route is an expert low-tide route; plateau colony track closes July until the week before Labour Weekend. Check DOC alerts

A dramatic headland and gannet reserve reached most safely through an authorised tour; the beach route has real rockfall and tide risks.

Te Mata Peak

From the centre: 27 km • about 30 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Park open during posted hours; summit-road access can close for events, congestion, weather or safety work

A 399-metre landmark above Havelock North with walking tracks and panoramic Hawke’s Bay views.

Ocean Beach

From the centre: 28 km • about 35 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Daylight visits recommended; swim only when patrolled and respect all road, parking and beach notices

An exposed surf beach south-east of Havelock North, reached by a rural road through private farmland.

Lake Tūtira

From the centre: About 40 km • roughly 35–40 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Daylight access; check current track, water-quality and seasonal campground notices before visiting

A wildlife-rich lake and regional park north of Napier with picnic areas, lakeside scenery and walking tracks.

Waimarama Beach

From the centre: 35 km • about 40 min drive from Napier centre

Visit information: Beach open at all times; swim between flags when patrolled and check surf conditions

A popular Hawke’s Bay surf beach with a seaside settlement and seasonal lifeguard patrols.

Bistronomy

A central Napier restaurant serving creative seasonal menus built around Hawke’s Bay ingredients.

Mission Estate Restaurant

A winery restaurant in Taradale serving seasonal New Zealand food with views across the estate and Hawke’s Bay.

Mister D

A relaxed central bistro known for seasonal dishes, house baking and its filled doughnuts.

Central Fire Station Bistro

A modern bistro inside a restored Art Deco fire station, focused on regional and sustainable produce.

Crab Farm Winery

A relaxed coastal winery restaurant near Bay View offering estate wines and casual meals.

Kennedy Park Resort

A large Napier holiday resort with powered sites, cabins, pools and family recreation facilities.

Napier Beach TOP 10

A seaside holiday park north of central Napier offering powered sites, cabins and direct coastal views.

Hastings TOP 10

A full-service Hastings holiday park with powered sites, accommodation and recreation facilities.

Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park

A useful waipatiki beach holiday park option to include while planning your visit.