Top Things to do in Napier
10 Things to Do in Napier That You Shouldn't Miss
If you like Art Deco architecture, you must visit Napier. The town was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, then completely rebuilt in gorgeous Art Deco style. A number of local wineries also offer tours and tastings.
Restaurants in Napier
1. Museum of New Zealand (Te Papa Tongarewa)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Experience the whole of New Zealand in one building! Te Papa is New Zealand's bold, innovative and interactive national museum. Explore the great treasures and stories of this country, its unique natural environment, Maori culture and taonga (treasures), dynamic art heritage, and its fascinating history. Te Papa is located on Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Open 10am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day. General admission is free.
Reviewed By Ron H - Panama City, Florida
This is a good museum overall - several interactive/learning exhibits. What was most impressive may well no longer be available by the time you get there. The Gallipoli Campaign exhibit, in partnership with Weta Studios (from the Lord of the Rings movies, etc.) was absolutely incredible!
2. Marlborough Sounds
Overall Ratings
5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By D P - Wellington, New Zealand
The Marlborough Sounds are a stunning place and quintessentially part of the real New Zealand. No good saying you’ve been to Auckland that’s not the real NZ. To experience NZ head down South and take in Gods own. Surround yourself if nature, bird song and stunning scenery. A trip here is a trip to remember and hold a place in your heart.
3. Poppies Martinborough
Overall Ratings
5 based on 140 reviews
Poppies Martinborough is the tasting room cellar door for our wines we serve a simple but beautiful vineyard platter for lunch that we believe will enhance our wines
Reviewed By CarolDM1900 - Montpelier, Vermont
Poppies has it all. Start with the fact that the proprietors themselves lead the wine tastings. The Hammonds -- Shayne the viticulturist and Poppy the winemaker -- take turns "presenting" their wines to visitors with all the color and passion that you'd expect from the people who built this Enterprise. Their love of the product, and of the land that makes it possible, comes through clearly in very engaging introductions to their lovely small-batch wines.
Shayne hosted on the day we visited. His knowledge and commitment were impressive as he explained what he and Poppy were trying to achieve with each wine we tasted. This added a lot to our understanding and our enjoyment. Initially planning to pick up a bottle or two, my husband and I took away half a case and were able to work out with him how to order more for direct shipment to our home, since these wines produced in small quantity are not sold in outside commercial establishments. Here, they sell out fast, so if you find something you like, try to get it sooner rather than later. On the day we visited, 5 items from The Wine List were stamped "sold out."
The food here was great, too. After the tasting, we and our friends selected a few bottles for the table and sat down to enjoy the flavorful seasonal vineyard platters we'd pre-ordered, each with more than a dozen selections pairing beautifully with the wines we'd chosen. The cheeses were exceptional, and next time around we'll definitely have to select from the "Over the Moon" cheese menu, with its "OMG Black Truffle Oil Brie" and Creamy Blue.
Poppies is a delight to the eyes as well as to the palate, with rooms both grand and cozy, all of them thoughtfully designed with natural viewpoints and comfortably attractive furnishings. This is one of the prettiest venues for wine tasting that we've found, not at all surprising given the attention to every detail by the amiable, hard-working proprietors. The place is special because they are special. What they have created here is beautiful and memorable.
As a bonus, if your drive on the Wine Trail includes Wellington, you will be treated to a spectacular ride over steep, winding SH2 as it crosses over ridges of the Rimutaka and Tararua ranges, reaching a high point of 940 m (3080 ft). You can stop at the Rimutaka Crossing Outlook for an expansive view of these wild-looking Mountains, between Featherston and the Hutt Valley.
It all adds up to a perfect day, something not-to-be-missed when visiting Martinborough.
4. Southward Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 360 reviews
Reviewed By TheLivos - Wales, United Kingdom
We stumbled upon this place by chance, but we were really pleasantly surprised by the size and quality of the collection. The information cards for each exhibit gave just the right amount of info & weren’t too technical to scare off the interested visitor but kept the more knowledgeable one interested too. Amazing to see how the collection has been put together over the years
5. The Great War Exhibition
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
The Great War Exhibition, created by Sir Peter Jackson, commemorates the role played by New Zealand in the First World War. Journey through the War, year by year, meeting the challenges faced by brave young soldiers. Experience the gritty hardship and the horror of the Battlefields as seen by those caught in the conflict. Entry into The Great War Exhibition is $15 for adults. Children 16 and under are free. The Exhibition also offers you guided tours for a small fee. These depart every twenty minutes and are a great way to make the Exhibition come alive. So we always remember.
Reviewed By Deb J - Brisbane, Australia
Sophie was an amazing guide, so much knowledge and really made the tour enjoyable. Couldn't imagine doing this without a guide. Absolutely recommend the exhibition/museum and tour. There's a 5pm remembrance ceremony (under 10 mins) at the museum for the unknown warrior which I'm glad I bumped into - it runs until November 2018.
6. Moana Park Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 173 reviews
Moana Park is a highly awarded boutique winery in Hawke's Bay with a focus on low allergen, natural winemaking. The 100% New Zealand, family-owned winery is situated 5km from Taradale, drawing fruit from prime vineyards including Gimblett Road and Dartmoor Valley. The cellar door team aim to provide a unique, casual experience with a focus on spreading their passion for great wine - come and enjoy a relaxed tasting in the valley surrounds without all the pomp. Moana Park's cellar door is open daily for wine tastings, BYO picnics functions and events. We hold special products at cellar door not available anywhere else - our 12 Year Colheita Port has just been released in time for Christmas - delicious.
Reviewed By browns_on_tour_au - New Zealand
We started of wine tasting days at Moana Park and found everyone to be very helpful and friendly. We ended up buying a few bottles of wine and a bottle of port that is just great. The best thing is the offered to courier our...MoreThanks for the enjoying your time with us - we always enjoy getting feedback from our customers.
7. Mount Victoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
High lookout point along Wellington's Southern Walkway gives visitors a spectacular view of the city and its surroundings.
Reviewed By house_of_taine - Wellington, New Zealand
If you are bringing visitors in from the airport for their first look at Wellington, take them straight to the Mt Victoria lookout. it is a great view for them to appreciate the coolest little capital in the world. And some nice walking tracks and a great bowling club further down the slopes!
8. Queen Charlotte Sound
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
9. Staglands Wildlife Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 560 reviews
Staglands Wildlife Reserve & Cafe is less than an hour from Wellington and a 'must see' attraction for anyone either living in or visiting Wellington. Staglands offers a unique experience for people of all ages to feed and freely interact with a wide range of native and exotic birds and animals in an environment that has been created with nature's materials. Open daily 9:30am-5pm. Adults $22, Children $11 (3 and under no charge)
Reviewed By Kiwimum54 - Wellington, New Zealand
first time to Staglands today, with 3 adults and a baby and active toddler. We all loved it. the baby stayed awake the whole time, in awe of the peacocks and animals. The toddler was so confident with the animals which are so friendly, and there are a huge variety. The baby animals were a treat, ducklings, very tiny chicks in a heated space for warmth, small goats, lambs, Guinea pigs, lots of pigs, trout, birds, such an assortment of birds! we didn't picnic but it would be great to take a picnic on a dry day, there are lots lovely lawns etc driving from Waikanae more a challenge as its a long hilly windy road, but beautiful bush drive too. Going from Staglands to Upper Hutt which is way we drove on way home is easy drive. Lots of fun for all us, highly recommend it. Be a good place to take family or visitors while hanging out with young children, neat introduction to animals for children.
10. Cape Palliser Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By Trenham Ian Weatherhead - London, United Kingdom
Much of the road is dirt track so a four wheel drive vehicle would be handy! A great half day visit here is recommended and on the way you should have the opportunity to see the seals on the coastline. Stunning drive and marvellous opportunity to walk up the steps to the lighthouse. Take a picnic with you as there are no restaurants nearby! Definitely worth the time to travel to Palliser.
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