3 minute read
Napier Must-Do's
HOOTERS VINTAGE & CLASSIC VEHICLE HIRE
Hire the only open-top vintage cars in the country.Master the art of ‘double declutching’ during a one-hour lesson and then take your classic car for aspin around town. Fully chauffeured guided tours are also an option.
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BLUFF HILL
It’s a heart pumping 5-minute walk from the city centre to the top of Bluff Hill, but it’s worth the puff for panoramic views.
NAPIER PRISON
Provided with an audio device, absorb chilling prison tales while traipsing the cells and prison ground. Built in 1862,for something extra unsettling,try the ghost tour. Fingerprinting and mugshot photographers keep things light for children.
MTG HAWKE’S BAY
A museum, theatre and gallery. As well as art collections, there’s an exhibition on the 1931 earthquake, short films and approximately 90,000 objects of interest. Free entry.
WALK MARINE PARADE
The perfect space for sauntering. Along the prom, you’ll find the National Aquarium of New Zealand, mini-golf, a BMX and skateboard park, the sunken garden, open-air hot pools and Napier Viewing Platform: a contemporary pier that juts over the sea.
Napier Soundshell © Adobe Stock
OCEAN SPA HOT POOLS
With a swish new ‘The Bach’ café, relax in heated saltwater pools and sauna,open until 10pm in summer.The outdoor spas are magical at sunset and twinkle when night falls.
ĀTEA A RANGI STARCOMPASS
Located in Waitangi Regional Park, a series of large Māori carvings form a striking celestial circle to represent traditional Māori navigation methods.
THREE-DAY BACK COUNTRY RAFTING
Join Mohaka Rafting in Kaweka Forest Park for three days of wild river rapids, thermal hot springs and wilderness camping. Helicopter in and raft out.
NAPIER MĀORI TOURS
Understand Māori culture in the Hawke’s Bay region by visiting a 650-year-old Māori village site. Tours incorporate traditional Māori gathering practices, music and cuisine.
NAPIER URBAN FARMERS’ MARKET
Make like the locals and get yourself to central Emerson Street every Saturday between 8.30am and 12.30pm for a shop, mingle, decent coffee and long peruse.
NAPIER’S BOTANICAL GARDENS
You couldn’t ask for a better picnic site. These immaculate gardens are brimming with fragrant flowers, ponds full of bird life, a small aviary and several easy walks.
SPACE NAPIER
Sitting behind a striking art deco doorway on market street, this small yet striking art gallery features a clever collection of modern art from both local and national artists.
THE FARADAY CENTRE
This is Hawke’s Bay’s Museum of Technology, a place where visitors are encouraged to touch, hold and pull everything they can get their hands on. A big hit with families.
WINE TASTING TOUR
With more than 200 vineyards, 70-plus wineries and over 30 cellar doors, Hawke’s Bay will keep your glass full. Tours range from guided or self-led; by push bike or motor-trike.Download a handy wine trail map at www.hawkesbaywine.co.nz/winetrails/Wine-Trails/
MATISSE WINE BAR
If you’re a fan of maximalism; the bigger and brighter the better, this wine bar – inspired by Henri Matisse – is a place of beauty, colour and cool vibes, with an equally good menu.
F.A.W.C!
F.A.W.C! © Hawke’s Bay Tourism
A series of unique food and wine experiences set in stunning Hawke’s Bay locations and led by chefs, food producers and wine makers. Summer F.A.W.C! is held for 10 days in early November while Winter F.A.W.C! rolls over four weekends in June.
NAPIER ART DECO FESTIVAL
Clear Your calendar, this is a bucket-list event if ever we saw one. Held every February, over five fabulous days,Napier’s streets erupt with scores of art deco events.
Art Deco Festival, Napier © Adobe Stock
