Napier -Art Deco CityFascinating Architecture and Wineries!
Napier is known as the "Art Deco Capital of New Zealand." A major earthquake in 1931 destroyed much of the city....so the new buildings were all in the style of the time......... which was Art deco. Set in Hawkes Bay on the east coast of the North Island, Napier enjoys some of the country’s best weather.....warm and generally pleasant. Wine weather! Her twin city.... Hastings, is 20 kilometres away ..... with Havelock North on the outskirts of Hastings. This whole area has become one of New Zealand's best known areas for fruitgrowing , vegetables and wine. Sightseeing Around NapierNapier Marine ParadeThis beautiful waterfront park stretches the length of the foreshore and is the most recognised feature of Napier.With Art Deco style gardens, a sound shell, and the Aquarium...... it is a pleasant place to wander. National Aquarium of New Zealand Located right on the waterfront on Marine Parade....you can see one of New Zealand’s best displays of marine life. You can also view kiwi, tuatara and gecko’s which are tracked with camera’s giving you an inside view of their burrows. Swim with Sharks - The National Aquarium is the only place in New Zealand where you can “swim with sharks”! Well supervised, it is suitable for anyone. Daring Dan the Diver - Children will enjoy seeing Dan diving in the Feeding Frenzy............and communicating by way of signals. He will do some fascinating tricks such as riding a bike underwater....the children will love this entertaining display at 10.00 am each morning in the Pania Tank at the Aquarium.
This beautiful copper figurine based on a Maori legend and located in the gardens on Marine Parade...is synonomous with Napier. Very near the Art Deco fountain, and looking down to the Sound Shell, she sits amongst the flowers. Napier Botanic Gardens Across the road from the Pools at the very foot of the road up Bluff Hill there are some lovely gardens worth taking a look at. With a good waterfall down the cliff and beautifully planted cottage garden it makes a nice spot to have lunch or rest weary feet. Bluff Hill Lookout This is not that interesting unless it is a clear fine day where you get an expansive 360o view. You do get to see the historic old houses as you find your way through the little lanes to the Lookout. Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery Here you will find a selection of exhibitions...some long term others permanent
New Zealand Wine CentreRight in town this is worth a visit........... not only for some wine tasting, and the lovely display of wine products and old equipment....but the building is a fine example of the Art Deco style of architecture. You can sample wines from the area....and gather information to help you choose which wineries you want to visit! Guided Art Deco Walks and Tours These daily tours start at the i-centre on Marine Parade at 10.00a.m each morning and 2.00 pm from Deco Centre, 163 Tennyson Street. Learn the history of the area, and these beautifully restored and maintained buildings.
Napier Farmer’s Market This is a pleasant way to mix with the locals and buy local produce. The market is held every Sunday. Prison Tours of Old Napier Prison Visit New Zealand’s oldest prison in Napier for a fascinating experience! You will learn about the different phases of the army barracks, quarantine centre, lunatic asylum and more. Can you imagine paying a shilling to watch a hanging? Enjoy some hair raising stories of ghostly sightings and paranormal activity in the prison’s creepy corridors, and the sinister story of Roland Herbert Edwards’ ghostly appearance on the anniversary of his death. If stories of the many notorious inmates and their scurrilous activities aren’t enough for you... you can organise a sleepover in a shared or single cell – there is limited availability!Open daily. Guided Tour Times: 9.30am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm. Audio tours from 9am to 9pm (last entry 8pm). Beyond the City CentreCape Kidnappers Gannet ColonyCape Kidnappers is the largest mainland Gannet Colony in New Zealand, although Muriwai beach in Auckland is easier to get to. However.... the scenic 5 hour round trip beach walk only accessible at low tide is half the attraction at Cape Kidnappers. There are pathways up the cliffs in parts, where you need to have an average level of fitness. If you don’t want to walk you can take a tour..... transporting you by tractor which is a fun means of getting there! .The gannets are an amazing sight......thousands of birds tightly squeezed onto the flat rocks ...in February you will see them with their chicks. They fly to and from Australia each year. NOTE:Be sure to get full information on tides, weather etc in Napier or Hastings from the information centre. Closed July to October...best time November to March. Te Mata Peak The drive up Te Mata Peak... is narrow and winding...but the amazing views of Hastings and the surrounding countryside is well worth the nerves! Many people put this near the top of their list for favourite activities in the area. Arataki Honey Centre This is at the foot of Te Mata Peak. You can see the bees at work, and browse a range of honey products. The Maze - Hastings - Open 26th December-30th April Made in a 7 hectare corn field , each year they have a different them. The pathways cover about 8 kms but you will walk about 1 km if you don’t take a wrong turn! Fun for old and young alike! Silky Oak Chocolate Museum If you are a chocolate lover it would seem this is not to be missed....the reviews are mostly raving. Not only are they making chocolates, but there is a museum showing the history of chocolate and a chocolate oriented cafe which sounds very decadent! Hawkes Bay BeachesThe central Napier beaches are stony so not too appealing. Only 30 minutes from Napier you will find Waimarama Beach ..... a beautiful stretch of long golden sandYou can camp by Waipatiki Beach Farm with a sandy beach and Clifton Beach is sandy. Hawkes Bay Napier Wineries
The Mission - was New Zealand’s first winery planted by the French Marists who lived at the seminary in 1851.It is like taking a museum tour, as well as wine tasting and if you want...dining in the restaurant. Church Road is only metres along the road from the Mission with a much acclaimed restaurant. Having wineries right in the city is unusual. You can then tour the vineyards around Esk Valley and Hastings Gimlett Gravels area, Te Mata Peak, and Clifton Beach. Self drive, take a tour or for something a little different, you can do a bike tour of the vineyards. Napier AccommodationNapier is geared for tourism and conventions so there are
NOTE: There is an area on Clifton Beach Road that is free for self contained campervans and motorhomes to park overnight. Directly across the road from Clearview Winery. Getting AroundYou would need your own transport or take a day tour to see beyond the city, where you can walk. Restaurants and CafesYou will have no trouble finding a range of excellent meals around Napier. Many of the wineries have award winning restaurants, while the town centre has several good cafes. I can recommendCafe Devine - where the food was just delicious.... so fresh, with very good coffee and nice ambiance. Thorps Coffee House - Across the road this was a more traditional old style cafe ...both were recommended to us by locals when we asked where to eat. 
Crab Farm Winery Cafe - Here we enjoyed a delicious platter in this not to be missed funky vineyard cafe. Located at Esk Valley as we travelled north out of Napier, we were delighted with this fun winery....and their wines are excellent too! This is a well established winery...the vines originally planted about 30 years ago. ShoppingNapier is known for having some very good shopping. There is a central Mall area, with good shopping centres at Havelock North and Hastings as well.
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Pania of the Reef 
