Five things to do in Napier, New Zealand
Located on the shores of beautiful Hawkes Bay, Napier is undoubtedly one of the prettiest towns in New Zealand. Palm-lined city streets, beautiful parks and gardens, and a stunning waterfront make Napier a fantastic holiday destination. There is a plethora of things to do and see and a wide range of accommodation in Napier. Choose a Napier hotel in the heart of it all and spend a few days exploring the exciting cultural and natural features that Napier is known for.
See the Art Deco buildings
Known as the Art Deco City, Napier has one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world. A devastating earthquake in 1931 devastated the city, which was later rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the time. The Art Deco buildings can be explored on foot on a variety of guided tours and walks through the palm-lined streets of the city center. If you’re lucky enough to visit Napier in February, you can join in the Art Deco Weekend celebrations, which includes dinners, live music, picnics, and Gatsby-style costumes.
Visit New Zealand wineries
New Zealand’s oldest wineries are found in and around Napier, with some wineries producing wine for over 140 years. The sheltered and fertile soils offer ideal wine growing conditions for a number of grape varieties and produce high quality Cabernet Sauvignons, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and dessert wines. The wine growing area can be visited by car, bike or on a guided tour and wine maps are available from Napier Tourist Information to help you chart your route.
Explore Otarara Pa
The historic remains of the Maori village of Orarara Pa are one of the oldest and largest Pa remains in New Zealand. A walk through Orarara Pa takes you past terraced dwellings, food pits, and archeological sites. The popular trails that crisscross the area are ideal for walkers and runners and boast spectacular views of the surrounding countryside along with historical significance.
Visit the National Aquarium
The National Aquarium of New Zealand is located in Napier and has the largest collection of aquatic wildlife in New Zealand. Visitors can see live coral, rays, sharks, turtles, penguins, and a large collection of fish species. The National Aquarium is the only place in New Zealand where you can swim with sharks and rays, but make sure you book in advance, this activity is very popular. There are also a variety of wildlife exhibits featuring native and unusual animals.
Go rafting in the Mohaka River Gorge
There are a variety of day and multi-day rafting trips ranging from scenic Grade 2 raft and inflatable kayak tours to some of the best Grade 4/5 rafting in New Zealand. The Mohaka River Gorge is a stunning backdrop for a rafting adventure, whether you like it wet and wild or calm and quiet. Visit the hot springs, the beautiful native forest, go fishing, swim in crystal clear waters and see incredible scenery.
All of these activities and more can be arranged from your hotel or accommodation in Napier. Napier’s combination of beautiful scenery, cultural significance and history make it a must-have part of any North Island New Zealand tour.
