---
title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Napier, New Zealand | Wimup"
description: "Art deco streets, Hawke's Bay wine and the Cape Kidnappers gannets. The 10 best things to do in Napier, plus where to eat, drink, cycle and swim."
url: https://wimup.com/city/napier
type: City guide
updated: 2026-10-13
publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com)
---

# Top 10 Things To Do in Napier

Napier, New Zealand · Oceania · By Wimup Editorial, 14 min read

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.

## Quick answer

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.

## Quick facts

- **Best months:** Nov · Feb · Mar
- **Ideal length:** 3 days
- **Budget per day:** $110–180
- **Language:** English and te reo Māori
- **Getting around:** Car, bike & local buses
- **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://www.hawkesbaynz.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The 10 best things to do in Napier

### 1. Walk the art deco city with the Art Deco Trust

Art deco · 7 Tennyson Street, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1.5–2 hrs
- **Cost:** Ticketed walk
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Starts with a quake film

Links: [Website](https://www.artdeconapier.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 2. Marine Parade and Pania of the Reef

Outdoors · Marine Parade, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1–2 hrs
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Dusk
- **Tip:** Swim at Westshore instead

Links: [Website](https://www.napiernz.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 3. The gannets of Cape Kidnappers

Outdoors · 475 Clifton Road, Te Awanga

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.

- **Time:** 4 hrs
- **Cost:** Paid tour
- **Best at:** Oct–Apr
- **Tip:** Leaves on the low tide

Links: [Website](https://www.hawkesbaynz.com/visit/us/gannet-beach-adventures?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 4. Te Mata Peak

Outdoors · Te Mata Peak Road, Havelock North

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.

- **Time:** 2 hrs
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Late afternoon
- **Tip:** Summit road is narrow

Links: [Website](https://www.tematapark.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 5. Mission Estate Winery

Wine · 198 Church Road, Taradale, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1–2 hrs
- **Cost:** Tastings
- **Best at:** Lunch
- **Tip:** Ten minutes from the city

Links: [Website](https://www.missionestate.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 6. MTG Hawke’s Bay

Museum · 1 Tennyson Street, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1.5 hrs
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Pair with the deco walk

Links: [Website](https://www.mtghawkesbay.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 7. Cycle the Water Ride from Ahuriri

Outdoors · West Quay, Ahuriri, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 2–3 hrs
- **Cost:** Bike hire
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Grade 1, all flat

Links: [Website](https://www.hbtrails.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 8. Bluff Hill Lookout

Outdoors · Lighthouse Road, Bluff Hill, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Clear morning
- **Tip:** Toilets and parking on top

Links: [Website](https://www.napiernz.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 9. Napier Prison

History · 55 Coote Road, Bluff Hill, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Ticketed
- **Best at:** Any time
- **Tip:** No booking needed

Links: [Website](https://www.napiernz.com/activities/napier-prison-tours/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 10. National Aquarium of New Zealand

Museum · 546 Marine Parade, Napier

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.

- **Time:** 1.5 hrs
- **Cost:** Ticketed
- **Best at:** Windy days
- **Tip:** End of the seafront walk

Links: [Website](https://www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best art deco in Napier

Eight buildings that show why the rebuild is the reason to come.

1. **Daily Telegraph Building** (Zig zag moderne · 1932 · City centre): Ernest Williams' 1932 design, the city's deco facade at its most ornate.
2. **National Tobacco Company Building** (Heritage Category 1 · Ahuriri): Louis Hay framed the door in carved roses and raupō bulrushes.
3. **ASB Bank building** (Bank · 1932 · City centre): Built for the BNZ in 1932, with Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns inside and out.
4. **Municipal Theatre** (Theatre · Zig zag moderne · City centre): The rebuild's civic showpiece, still a working theatre on Tennyson Street.
5. **Hildebrandt’s Building** (Commercial · 1933 · City centre): A restrained 1933 Louis Hay corner block built for a German-born chiropodist.
6. **Art Deco Masonic Hotel** (Hotel · Marine Parade · City centre): The seafront hotel, with the Emporium bar off its lobby.
7. **Sound Shell and Colonnade** (Seafront · Free · Marine Parade): The bandstand and arches that frame the parade gardens.
8. **Tom Parker Fountain** (Fountain · Free · Marine Parade): A 1936 gift from a local businessman, lit in colour after dark.

## Best wineries in Napier

New Zealand's red-wine country, from the 1851 mission to the Gimblett Gravels.

1. **Mission Estate** (Cellar door · Restaurant · Taradale): The 1851 Marist vineyard, with a terrace restaurant above Taradale. [Website](https://www.missionestate.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Church Road** (Cellar door · Tours · Taradale): One of the oldest names in the region, with behind-the-scenes tours.
3. **Te Mata Estate** (Cellar door · Havelock North): Home of Coleraine, the blend that made Hawke's Bay's name. [Website](https://www.temata.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Craggy Range** (Cellar door · Restaurant · Havelock North): Seated tastings and an award-winning restaurant under Te Mata Peak. [Website](https://www.craggyrange.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
5. **Trinity Hill** (Cellar door · Gimblett Gravels): The Gimblett Gravels producer to taste for syrah.
6. **Black Barn** (Cellar door · Market · Havelock North): A relaxed cellar door with a summer Saturday growers' market.
7. **Elephant Hill** (Cellar door · Restaurant · Te Awanga): A coastal winery whose restaurant looks over the Pacific to the cape.
8. **Clearview Estate** (Cellar door · Restaurant · Te Awanga): Family-run on the Te Awanga coast, known for big chardonnay.

## Best restaurants in Napier

Seafood on the parade and a chef's menu in a deco street.

1. **Pacifica** (Set menu · Book ahead · Marine Parade): Jeremy Rameka's nightly five-course seafood menu in a blue beach bungalow.
2. **Bistronomy** (Tasting menu · City centre): A six-course chef's choice menu built on local produce.
3. **Hunger Monger** (Seafood · Casual · Marine Parade): Oysters, sashimi, chowder and fish and chips across from the surf.
4. **Mister D** (All day · Deco building · City centre): Hot doughnuts you fill yourself from a syringe at the table.
5. **Emporium Eatery and Bar** (Hotel dining · City centre): Breakfast to dinner inside the Masonic, facing the sea.

## Best cafes & bars in Napier

Ahuriri's waterfront does breakfast and the evening drink.

1. **Milk & Honey** (Cafe · Breakfast · Ahuriri): A small cafe on Ahuriri point with some of the best views in town.
2. **F.G. Smith Eatery** (Cafe · Brunch · Ahuriri): A breakfast favourite on Ossian Street, near the Ahuriri beach.
3. **The Urban Winery** (Wine bar · Deco · Ahuriri): Tastings inside the National Tobacco Company Building.
4. **The Thirsty Whale** (Bar · Waterfront · Ahuriri): A big harbour-side bar on West Quay, livelier after dark.
5. **Rush Munro’s** (Ice cream · Hastings · Hastings): Hastings ice cream since 1926, and it claims to be the oldest in the country.

## Best beaches & walks in Napier

Swim north of the port or south of the cape, not off the parade.

1. **Westshore Beach** (Beach · Swimming · Westshore): Sandier and calmer than the parade, with a surf club.
2. **Ahuriri Beach** (Beach · Patrolled · Ahuriri): The sheltered beach by the port where lifeguards now patrol.
3. **Sturm’s Gully to Bluff Hill** (Walk · Steep · Bluff Hill): A shaded climb to the lookout, about 4.4 km and 50 minutes return.
4. **Ocean Beach** (Beach · Surf · Hastings District): A wild surf beach south of Havelock North, patrolled in summer.
5. **Waimārama Beach** (Beach · Patrolled · Hastings District): Wide sand and a surf club, 7.5 km along the coast from Ocean Beach.

## Best neighborhoods in Napier

Stay central for the deco, Ahuriri for food, Havelock North for wine.

1. **City centre** (Deco · Walkable · Napier South): The deco grid between Tennyson, Emerson and Hastings streets.
2. **Ahuriri** (Waterfront · Dining · Ahuriri): The old port, now the waterfront for breakfast and dinner.
3. **Bluff Hill** (Residential · Views · Bluff Hill): Villas on Mataruahou, above the port and the old prison.
4. **Taradale** (Suburb · Wineries · Taradale): Napier's inland suburb at the foot of the Mission hills.
5. **Havelock North** (Village · Wine · Hastings District): A village under Te Mata Peak, closest to the cellar doors.

## Best day trips in Napier

Four outings within two hours, each a different side of the bay.

1. **Hastings** (20 min by car · Hastings): The farmers' market at Tōmoana Showgrounds, Sundays 8.30am to 12.30pm.
2. **Te Awanga and Clifton** (30 min by car · Te Awanga): Coastal wineries and the start of the gannet tours.
3. **Lake Tūtira** (40 min by car · Tūtira): Lakeside tracks 40 km north; the walkway closes for lambing in August and September.
4. **Lake Taupō** (About 2 hrs by car · Taupō): New Zealand's largest lake, over the ranges on SH5.

## Festivals & annual events in Napier (2026)

- **Art Deco Festival** (February): Four days of 1930s dress and vintage cars; 2027 runs 18 to 21 February.
- **Horse of the Year** (March): The national show at Tōmoana. 2026 was cancelled on cost; Hastings aims for 2027.
- **Hawke's Bay Marathon** (May): From Napier to Elephant Hill winery; the 2027 race is on 15 May.
- **Matariki** (June): The Māori new year, a public holiday, marked with events at MTG.
- **Winter Deco Weekend** (July): A smaller midwinter edition of the festival, with a taste trail.
- **Hastings Blossom Festival** (September): A free day of rides and the Blossom Parade through Hastings.
- **Hawke's Bay Arts Festival** (October): Ten days of theatre, music and dance; 2026 ran 8 to 18 October.
- **Hawke's Bay A&P Show** (October): The region's agricultural show at Tōmoana, 22 and 23 October 2026.

## Must-try dishes in Napier, New Zealand

- **Gimblett Gravels syrah**: Hawke's Bay grows most of New Zealand's syrah.
- **Bordeaux-style red blend**: Merlot and cabernet blends are the region's signature.
- **Hawke's Bay chardonnay**: The leading white here, richer than the South Island's.
- **Injected doughnuts**: Mister D's hot doughnuts, filled from a syringe at the table.
- **Rush Munro's ice cream**: Made in Hastings since 1926.
- **Hawke's Bay apples**: Bought at the orchard gate or the Sunday farmers' market.
- **Fish and chips**: Eaten on the Marine Parade sea wall.
- **Fresh oysters**: Shucked to order at Hunger Monger on the parade.

## Napier transport & airports

- **Hawke’s Bay Airport** (NPE): 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. [Website](https://www.hawkesbay-airport.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **goBay buses** (Bus): Regional council buses link Napier, Taradale, Hastings and Havelock North. Route 4 runs from the centre via Ahuriri to the airport. [Website](https://www.gobay.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Hawke’s Bay Trails** (Bike): Some 200 km of flat, signposted paths link Napier, Hastings and Havelock North. Hire depots sit in Ahuriri and wine country. [Website](https://www.hbtrails.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **InterCity coaches** (Coach): 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. [Website](https://www.intercity.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Napier at a glance

- **Country:** New Zealand
- **Region:** Hawke's Bay
- **Population:** 66,200 (Stats NZ estimate, June 2023)
- **Founded:** 1850s, named after General Sir Charles Napier
- **Nickname:** The Art Deco City
- **Language:** English and te reo Māori
- **Currency:** New Zealand dollar (NZ$)
- **Time zone:** NZST · UTC+12
- **Calling code:** +64 6
- **Airports:** NPE
- **Power:** 230V · Type I
- **Emergency:** 111

## Interesting facts

- The magnitude 7.8 earthquake of 3 February 1931 killed more than 250 people across Hawke's Bay.
- The quake lifted the Ahuriri Lagoon out of the sea, and the airport now stands on that seabed.
- The Pania statue was a 1954 gift from the Thirty Thousand Club, which wanted Napier to reach 30,000 people.
- Mission Estate traces its vines to 1851, which makes it New Zealand's oldest winery.
- The Gimblett Gravels are a riverbed left by an 1867 flood, now some of the country's best red-wine land.

## Napier travel FAQ

### How many days do you need in Napier?

Three. One on foot for the art deco walk, MTG and Marine Parade, one in wine country by bike or car, and one for Cape Kidnappers or Te Mata Peak. Two days works if you skip the gannets.

### Why is Napier an art deco city?

The 1931 earthquake and the fires after it destroyed the centre, and the city was rebuilt over the next few years in the styles of the day. The result is one of the most complete groups of 1930s buildings anywhere.

### Can you swim at Napier beach?

Not off Marine Parade. The shingle drops away steeply and the stretch is unpatrolled. Swim at Westshore or Ahuriri north of the port, or at Ocean Beach and Waimārama, which are patrolled in summer.

### When can you visit the Cape Kidnappers gannets?

The tractor tours run roughly October to April, when the birds are nesting, and leave from Clifton on each day's low tide. Departure times change daily, so check the tide before you plan the day.

### Do you need a car in Napier?

Not in the city, which is compact and flat. For the wineries, Te Mata Peak and the beaches, a car or a hire bike on the Hawke's Bay Trails is the practical option, since buses are infrequent.

## Nearby guides

- [Rotorua](https://wimup.com/city/rotorua.md): New Zealand · 10 picks
- [Wellington](https://wimup.com/city/wellington.md): New Zealand · 10 picks
- [Auckland](https://wimup.com/city/auckland.md): New Zealand · 10 picks
- [All of Oceania →](https://wimup.com/oceania): 22 cities

Part of the [New Zealand guide](https://wimup.com/country/new-zealand.md) · [Oceania](https://wimup.com/oceania.md)

## Sources

- [Napier tourism board](https://www.hawkesbaynz.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Walk the art deco city with the Art Deco Trust (official site)](https://www.artdeconapier.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Marine Parade and Pania of the Reef (official site)](https://www.napiernz.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [The gannets of Cape Kidnappers (official site)](https://www.hawkesbaynz.com/visit/us/gannet-beach-adventures?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Te Mata Peak (official site)](https://www.tematapark.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Mission Estate Winery (official site)](https://www.missionestate.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [MTG Hawke’s Bay (official site)](https://www.mtghawkesbay.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Cycle the Water Ride from Ahuriri (official site)](https://www.hbtrails.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Napier Prison (official site)](https://www.napiernz.com/activities/napier-prison-tours/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [National Aquarium of New Zealand (official site)](https://www.nationalaquarium.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Te Mata Estate (official site)](https://www.temata.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Craggy Range (official site)](https://www.craggyrange.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Hawke’s Bay Airport (official site)](https://www.hawkesbay-airport.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [goBay buses (official site)](https://www.gobay.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [InterCity coaches (official site)](https://www.intercity.co.nz/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.