Napier: Understand
Population ~ 62,000
Napier is known for its 1930s Art Deco architecture, tree-lined marine parade, local wineries and fresh produce.
Napier: See & Do
Visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand – there’s a range of marine & land animals, plus an underwater glass tunnel & shark encounters.
Moana Park Winery, Church Road Winery Cellar Door & Restaurant, and Mission Estate Winery are three good options to experience the region’s wine.
Wander the tree-lined promenade along Marine Parade (the waterfront).
Climb or drive up Te Mata Peak (399m) which has awesome views of the region (especially at sunrise and sunset!).
Walk or ride the Hawke’s Bay Trails. This is one of the best places to cycle along the coast – there are over 200 km’s of on-road and off-road trails.
Visit Cape Kidnappers via nearby Clifton to see scarred white cliffs and a massive gannet colony.
Napier: Eat
Groove Kitchen is a good breakfast or lunch option, open daily from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm. Good food and good coffee, but there can sometimes be a bit of a wait.
For lunch or dinner, Kilim Cafe serves delicious middle-eastern food and good portions, open 11 am – 9 pm daily.
Hunger Monger along Marine Parade is a great option for seafood lovers – sashimi, oysters, scallops, octopus … all super fresh too!
Bistronomy is another good dining option – high-quality food and good service.
Westshore Beach Inn is a more relaxed, pub environment with takeaway options too. Food does not disappoint, and there is a large selection of craft beers too.
For a complete fine dining experience, Pacifica Kaimoana Restaurant serves constantly changing food with a lovely Pacific Island flair. The degustation menu is an option. It’s open Tuesday – Saturday for dinner.
Napier: Sleep
Kennedy Park Resort ($) is located in Napier, with a motel, cabins, self-contained units, and campervan/tent sites. They also have a heated swimming pool, playground and restaurant & bar on site!
Napier Beach Holiday Park ($) is located 10 minutes North of Napier – set on the beach with cabins, self-contained units, park motels and powered + non-powered sites for campervans or tents. There’s also a kids playground and trampoline, kitchen and BBQ facilities, as well as a new cafe.
Criterion Art Deco Backpackers ($) is quite modern, very well located in the center of town, with free breakfasts provided too. It is at the pricier end for a backpackers, but could be worth it!
Toad Hall Backpackers ($) is pretty basic, but with lovely staff, a nice rooftop garden, breakfast included and a 10-minute walk to the center of town.
There’s also the YHA Napier ($) which is well located, beach views and good facilities. The service is not the best though.
The Quest Napier ($$$) have luxury apartment accommodation in a fully refurbished Spanish Mission style building in the center of Napier.
Where to next?
Nearby places:
Hastings Gisborne Hamilton Rotorua Tongariro National Park
Nearby Regions:
Bay of Plenty Waikato Manawatu-Wanganui