Top Things to do in Napier
Top 10 Free 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. Brookfields Vineyards
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By 829melvinl - Napier, New Zealand
Sharon is a great host, this is the absolutely best wine tasting experience I have had and probably will be for ever! Excellent wines to take home after to relive the experience!
2. Junction Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Reviewed By rowenab305 - Dannevirke, New Zealand
We had Jo and John come to the Dannevirke Service and Citizen’s Club to do a wine tasting. It was such a great afternoon with a fantastic knowledge couple and lots of beautiful wines
3. 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!!!!
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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 !!
7. 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
8. Ahuriri Estuary Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By MaxNeumegen - Napier, New Zealand
Walks everywhere. Over old historical embankment bridge. And can bicycle ride slowly as well.Just giveaway all walkers. Use google maps in satellite view. Can see all the extra places. And ask the locals. Go explore. See photos. Like from south end of old embankment bridge (there is a fresh water tape there, look for it on the east side of old road) , walk west under expressway then along the stopbank to where the end of the airport runway is. And watch the planes land and take off. Like on north west side of expressway is the bird watching bush reserve. Labels westshore reserve on map. See my “tour of Napier plan” post somewhere in here.
9. 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
10. Waiapu Anglican Cathedral, Napier, New Zealand
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By chrisclarke318 - Auckland, New Zealand
This is a gorgeous cathedral in the middle of Napier. If you're around for a Sunday service, as I have been a few times, and for funerals, the choir and the organist are a beautiful, audio treat. I feel it's a shame that religion is taking something of a back seat (or pew) these days as places like this were central to so many lives even 25 to 30 years ago in New Zealand. Many people who only visit churches for Christenings, weddings and funerals are missing out on the communities which were built up around these places as people have moved away from The Church. For those who are still interested, you won't be disappointed with your visit, just make it more memorable by attending a service to get the full effect.
