Top Things to do in Napier
The 10 Best Things to do in Napier, North Island
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. Faraday Centre museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Fuel your imagination as you walk around Hawkes Bay’s largest Hand’s-on Interactive Museum. It’s a fascinating, family-friendly place, a place where children of all ages can have fun while learning. You can immerse yourself in an Aladdin’s Cave of technology, science and history. Explore our large collection of vintage machines, gadgets, or simply take a trip down memory lane while playing in the arcade, or phoning a friend the old fashioned way.
Reviewed By 318sallyf
If you have a place in your heart for nostalgia, you will love this museum. From pedal cars to Horse drawn Hearse, or 1950s School Dental Clinic, you will find plenty to take you back to the "good old days"!
2. Shine Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By sallytd14 - Nelson, New Zealand
The Shine Falls are about 1.5 hour drive from Napier on the road to Gisborne. We were taking our time so you could get there a bit quicker than it took us. You park at a DOC carpark and have an hours walk ahead of you. You would need a reasonable fitness level but in saying that we bumped into several families who were walking with very young (2 year olds!!) that made the entire trip themselves - albeit that they took a bit longer than the one hour. The falls are spectacular and well worth the walk. The walk starts out through a working farm and then meanders into native bush. It is quite hard going in a few places but not what I'd call "challenging". Certainly a must do if you've never been there. The falls are about 60 meters high!!!!!! Fantastico!!!!
3. Mission Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 943 reviews
At Mission Estate, we have been perfecting our craft since 1851. By combining the traditional craft of winemaking with the latest technology, we are reaching out to a new generation of wine lovers across the globe.
Reviewed By Kitkatchunkytravels
My girlfriend and I visited Mission Estate when we were in Napier and were pleasantly surprised with the friendliness of the staff who did the wine tasting - Chris from Coventry you are amazing and you made our day! So much interesting knowledge considering he's new and a great laugh for us! Free wine glass is a bonus and the dessert wine was delicious! Thoroughly recommend
4. Marine Parade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,451 reviews
Reviewed By 775gilvray - Cambridge, New Zealand
We loved the water front and enjoyed all the things passed, the children's bike park was well used. The art deco was sound shell is a beautiful piece of art We loved viewing platform and it was particularly exciting watching the huge waves that were crashing into it I would strongly recommend that you take this walk. Well done Napier.
5. Church Road Winery Cellar Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 511 reviews
Reviewed By lizrag - Hastings, New Zealand
I returned to this wonderful cellar door to check out CRW's latest releases. Knowledgeable staff presenting superbly-crafted wines in every range, from the Classic, to the Gwen, to the McDonald Series, to the Grand Reserve, to the One and - of course - the stellar Toms. Whether you are partial to a refreshing Methode Champenoise, an elegant Chardonnay, a "Pinot Grigio-style" Pinot Gris, a ballsy Syrah, a Spanish or Italian red varietal, a stunning Bordeaux blend (or single varietal), or a refreshing, perfectly-balanced dessert wine................there's a wine here for you. Hawkes Bay should feel proud to showcase this winery to both the domestic and international markets !!
6. Moana Park Estate Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Moana Park Estate is a highly awarded boutique winery in Hawke's Bay with a focus on natural winemaking. The 100% New Zealand owned winery is situated 5km from Taradale, drawing fruit from prime vineyards including Gimblett Road and the surrounding area, as well as Marlborough and Central Otago. 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! Moana Park Estate's cellar door is open daily for wine tastings. We are serving platters, grazing boards, and wood fired pizza so you can laze away the day with food and wine. We hold special products at cellar door not available anywhere else. We offer a range of tasting options depending on your needs, or just come out enjoy the grounds, grab a pizza and a glass of wine or beer.
Reviewed By KiwiDavebr - Taupo, New Zealand
Called in yesterday to do some wine tasting in this great little winery Located about 10 minutes from town it is well worth the visit The wines were very good and we were given bread and oil as a snack which was a very nice touch The staff were very friendly and looked after us very well We will definitely be returning here Highly recommend
7. Bluff Hill Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,264 reviews
Reviewed By 491wendym
Went up here after cycling one of the Hawkes Bay trails, great to see a birds eye view of a working port, the weather was a stunner for April just neat
8. Sunken Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
Reviewed By K1217 - Whakatane, New Zealand
Beautiful Gardens. A very nice little area with lots of seating. It's a beautiful place to sit and relax
9. Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 395 reviews
The Napier I-SITE provides free information and advice to travellers and locals. We can book all your travel needs and do not charge credit card or booking fees.
Reviewed By reise686 - Sydney, Australia
The Visitor Centre has everything you need to get started in your Napier touring. We booked a city walking tour which we highly recommend.
10. National Aquarium of New Zealand
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,420 reviews
The National Aquarium of New Zealand, on Napier’s Marine Parade, is home to over 100 rich and diverse saltwater, freshwater and land animal exhibits from New Zealand and around the world. You can view native saltwater and freshwater species, as well as exotic reef and deep-sea fish from around the world. Meet the famous Naughty and Good Little Penguins! The kiwi, tuatara and penguin enclosures provide an insight into New Zealand's most precious species. Also on exhibition are species from the Americas, Asia and Australia, including piranhas. Allow one to two hours to make the most of your visit or book a close encounter with our Little Penguins, Piranha, Tuatara or Kiwi. Open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm. Last entry is at 4.30pm. Daily feeding times are 10am for the reef fish and 2pm for the sharks. The penguins are fed at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
Reviewed By Havinfun365
Really enjoyable. Highlights included the penguin feeding and the stingray swimming above us in the water tunnel.
