Give Napier three days. Spend the first on foot: the Art Deco Trust walk from Tennyson Street, MTG for the earthquake story, then Marine Parade at dusk. Day two is wine country, by bike on the flat trails or by car to Mission Estate, Church Road and Te Mata Peak. Day three, between October and April, take the tractor tour along the beach to the Cape Kidnappers gannets.
The earthquake of 3 February 1931 flattened Napier, and the city rebuilt itself in the style of the moment. That is the trip: a compact grid of art deco facades on a seafront parade, with Hawke's Bay wine country, Te Mata Peak and the gannets of Cape Kidnappers all within an hour.
Napier holds one of the world's most complete sets of 1930s buildings, and the Trust's guides know every facade. Walks start at the Art Deco Centre with a short film on the 1931 earthquake; check the day's departure times there.
The seafront was built on quake rubble, and its gardens hold the Sound Shell, the 1936 Tom Parker Fountain and the Pania statue, given to the city in 1954. Walk it at dusk. Do not swim here: the shingle drops away steeply.
The world's largest mainland gannet colony, reached along the beach because no road goes there. Gannet Beach Adventures tows trailers behind vintage tractors from Clifton at low tide, so departure times move daily.
The ridge behind Havelock North looks over the Heretaunga Plains, the Tukituki and the Pacific. Drive the narrow road to the summit, or walk the Giant Circuit through Te Mata Park, about two hours for 5.4 km.
French Marist missionaries planted vines in Hawke's Bay in 1851, and the estate calls itself the birthplace of New Zealand wine. The cellar door sits in the old seminary above Taradale; book the restaurant terrace for lunch.
The city's museum, theatre and gallery tells the 1931 earthquake from the people who lived through it, and holds a strong taonga Māori collection. General entry is free, which makes it the first stop on a wet day.
The flattest of the Hawke's Bay Trails: 35 km at grade 1, out along the coast to Bay View and back through the wetlands. Hire depots sit at the Ahuriri start, and the Wineries Ride continues the network south.
Built on a Second World War gun emplacement, the lookout stares straight down on the port's log yards and cranes, and on a clear day north to Mahia. The road up is steep and tight; walk via Sturm's Gully instead.
New Zealand's oldest prison opened in 1862 and held inmates until 1993. Self-guided audio tours run daily from 9am to 5pm with no booking, and you choose between the historical tour and the ghost tour.
The national aquarium sits at the south end of Marine Parade and covers New Zealand's own waters, from the reef offshore to freshwater species. It is the easiest family hour in the city when the wind gets up.
A restrained 1933 Louis Hay corner block built for a German-born chiropodist.
Four days of 1930s dress and vintage cars; 2027 runs 18 to 21 February.
The national show at Tōmoana. 2026 was cancelled on cost; Hastings aims for 2027.
From Napier to Elephant Hill winery; the 2027 race is on 15 May.
The Māori new year, a public holiday, marked with events at MTG.
A smaller midwinter edition of the festival, with a taste trail.
A free day of rides and the Blossom Parade through Hastings.
Ten days of theatre, music and dance; 2026 ran 8 to 18 October.
The region's agricultural show at Tōmoana, 22 and 23 October 2026.
About 7 km north of the centre, on land the 1931 earthquake lifted out of the lagoon. Air New Zealand flies to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Regional council buses link Napier, Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North. Route 4 runs from the centre via Ahuriri to the airport.
Some 200 km of flat, signposted paths link Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. Hire depots sit in Ahuriri and wine country.
No passenger trains serve Napier, so long-distance travel without a car is by coach or plane. A hire car is the easiest way to the cellar doors.
Hawke's Bay grows most of New Zealand's syrah.
Merlot and cabernet blends are the region's signature.
The leading white here, richer than the South Island's.
Mister D's hot doughnuts, filled from a syringe at the table.
Made in Hastings since 1926.
Bought at the orchard gate or the Sunday farmers' market.
Eaten on the Marine Parade sea wall.
Shucked to order at Hunger Monger on the parade.
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