Must-see attractions in Napier

  • The Daily Telegraph building in Napier, New Zealand.

    Daily Telegraph Building

    Napier

    The Daily Telegraph is one of the stars of Napier's art-deco show, with superb zigzags, fountain shapes and a symmetrically patterned facade. If the front…

  • National Tobacco Company Building

    Napier

    Around the shore at Ahuriri, the National Tobacco Company Building (1932) is arguably the region’s deco masterpiece, combining art-deco forms with the…

  • The Museum Theatre Gallery (MTG) on Hawke’s Bay in Napier, New Zealand.

    MTG Hawke’s Bay

    Napier

    The beating cultural heart of Napier is the smart-looking MTG – a gleaming-white museum-theatre-gallery space by the water. The MTG showcases live…

  • Sea Walls

    Napier

    Painted recently as part of a street-art festival, there are 50 colourful and thought-provoking murals scattered across central Napier and Ahuriri. Pick…

  • National Aquarium of New Zealand

    Napier

    Inside this modern complex with its stingray-inspired roof are piranhas, terrapins, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. Snorkellers can swim with…

  • Bluff Hill Lookout

    Napier

    The convoluted route to the top of Bluff Hill (102m) goes up and down like an elevator on speed (best to drive), but rewards intrepid mountaineers with…

  • Crab Farm Winery

    Napier

    Respectable, reasonably priced wines, and a rustic cafe with regular live troubadours. A good stop for lunch or a glass of rosé (preferably both), best…

  • Marine Parade

    Napier

    Napier's elegant seaside avenue is lined with huge Norfolk Island pines, and dotted with motels and charming timber villas. Along its length are parks,…

  • Otatara Pā Historic Reserve

    Napier

    Wooden palisades, carved pou (memorial posts) and a carved gate help bring this pā (fortified village) site to life. An hour-long loop walk across grassy…

  • Napier Prison

    Napier

    On the run from the law? Assuage your guilt with a tour of the grim 1862 Napier Prison (the oldest in NZ) on the hill behind the town. There's a self…

  • Centennial Gardens

    Napier

    Whoa! A massive waterfall right in the middle of Napier! There may be an artificial pump system in play, but we don't mind – it's still an impressive…

  • Sunken Gardens

    Napier

    An interesting historic curio (1969) along Napier's waterfront promenade with tidy floral arrangements set into the ground below street level. A pretty…

  • Pania of the Reef

    Napier

    A bronze statue of the sea-dwelling Pania, whose tale is long and heartbreaking – ask a local to regale you with her story or read the statue's plaque.

  • Tom Parker Fountain

    Napier

    A 1936 art-deco fountain named after a local gentlemen's outfitter of the day. Best viewed at night when it's flamboyantly lit.

  • Westshore Beach

    Napier

    Napier's closest swim spot (the main beach in front of the town centre isn't safe).