Napier
Oceania · New Zealand
See also
Hastings
New Zealand39.65°S 176.83°E · 11 m
Overview
Napier is the world's most consistently Art Deco city, rebuilt after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1931 destroyed much of the CBD and killed 256 people. Over 100 Art Deco buildings remain in the city center, most restored and heritage-listed.
Languages: English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
Why go?
Napier is the world's most consistently Art Deco city, rebuilt after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1931 destroyed much of the CBD and killed 256 people. Over 100 Art Deco buildings remain in the city center, most restored and heritage-listed. The nearby suburb of Taradale hosts Hawke's Bay's oldest and most famous wineries, making Napier a unique blend of architectural heritage and wine culture on the sunny east coast of the North Island.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting there
Napier is accessible via Hawke's Bay Airport (NPE) with domestic flights from Auckland and Wellington. The city lies on State Highway 2 connecting to Hastings (20 min south) and Taupo (2 hours inland). InterCity buses serve the route from major North Island cities. The drive from Auckland takes approximately 5 hours.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Taxis are relatively inexpensive and available anytime. Public buses cover Napier and run to Hastings and Havelock North, though services are infrequent and don't operate evenings. Check the goBay website for fares, zones and timetables. The compact CBD is walkable and ideal for exploring the Art Deco buildings on foot.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Summer (December-February) brings warm weather and the famous Art Deco Festival in February, a five-day celebration with 250 events including vintage car displays, picnics, and soapbox derbies. Book accommodation up to a year in advance for the festival. Spring and autumn offer mild weather with fewer crowds, ideal for wine tours and beach visits.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels to budget backpackers hostels. The Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (48 Emerson St) offers beds from $29 in a former 1932 hotel. The Masonic Hotel (2 Tennyson St) occupies a 1932 Art Deco building with 43 rooms from $151. Scenic Hotel Te Pania (45 Marine Parade) provides free WiFi, parking and gym access. Book early during events as accommodation fills quickly.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
West Quay beside Ahuriri marina hosts a strip of bars and restaurants. Fine dining at Poivre & Sel (189 Marine Parade) offers 3-course meals from $115 per person with wine pairing. The Cabana (11 Shakespeare Rd) is a legendary live music venue in a 1930s Art Deco building. Speight's Alehouse (68 West Quay) serves all seven Speight's beers on tap. Restaurant Indonesia (409 Marine Parade) offers local Indonesian cuisine.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Take a guided Art Deco walking tour ($24-26, 1.5-2.5 hours) or vintage car tour ($185 for up to 4 people). Visit the MTG Hawke's Bay museum (1 Tennyson St, free) for permanent earthquake exhibitions. The National Aquarium (546 Marine Parade) costs adults $22, children $11. Mclean Park (capacity 19,700) hosts cricket and rugby matches in summer. Food and wine tours through Grape Escape depart Napier at 1PM, returning at 5PM, visiting 4-5 local wineries with cheese boards.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Cape Kidnappers, at the southern tip of Hawke Bay, hosts seasonal gannet colonies accessible by tractor-pulled trailer tours from Te Awanga, bookable at the i-SITE. Waimarama and Ocean Beach sandy beaches are 30 minutes south by car, popular for surfing and fishing. The suburb of Taradale (10-min drive) features Hawke's Bay's oldest wineries hosting summer concerts. Esk Valley Lodge (15 min north, $150-220) offers boutique B&B accommodation amid vineyards.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Taradale is a 10-minute drive for wine tours and concerts. Hastings city is nearby for additional shopping and dining. Taupo is a two-hour drive inland for lake activities and geothermal sites. Wairoa is a two-hour drive north along Hawke Bay for quieter coastal exploration. The Art Deco walking tour connects directly to the Hawke's Bay wine region itinerary.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Criterion Art Deco Backpackers
BBH hostel in a former hotel built in 1932.
Recorded price: Bed from $29, single room $53
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Esk Valley Lodge
Boutique bed and breakfast accommodation 15 minutes north of Napier in a renovated house of character formed from one of the original homesteads in the valley, with gardens and vineyard.
Recorded price: $150-220
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Masonic Hotel
Art deco hotel built in 1932 on the site of a hotel first built in 1861. It was designed by Wellington architect W J Prowse. The hotel has 43 rooms and an apartment.
Recorded price: From $151
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
McHardy Lodge
1890 historic residence.
Recorded price: $325-575
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Free WiFi, free parking, room view options, on-site restaurant & bar, gym access, dog friendly rooms available.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Café Tennyson + Bistro
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Poivre & Sel
French cuisine from French restaurateurs. Expect fine dining rather than a hearty meal – you'll have room for dessert.
Recorded price: From $55 (main & dessert) to $115 for 3 courses & wine pairing per person
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Raffles Street Cafe
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Book well ahead during Art Deco Festival (February) as accommodation fills up months in advance. Budget hostels like Criterion Art Deco Backpackers (from $29) offer affordable options year-round.
Connectivity
Free WiFi available at Scenic Hotel Te Pania and most accommodations. Local SIM cards available from providers for data access during your stay.
Money
Currency is New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Credit cards widely accepted at hotels and restaurants. Budget approximately $100-150 NZD per day for backpacker-style travel including accommodation, food and activities.
Transport
Public buses run to Hastings and Havelock North but are infrequent and don't operate evenings. Check goBay website for timetables. Taxis are relatively inexpensive for getting around.
Weather
Napier enjoys a sunny climate on the east coast. Summers are warm (20-30°C) ideal for beaches and festivals. Winters are mild but can be wet. The Art Deco Festival in February is the peak event.