Things to do in Napier & Hawkes Bay

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By John.W / Must Do NZ – Updated:  8th July 2026 

Discover Hawke's Bay's Best Tours, Wineries & Attractions

Discover the best things to do in Napier and Hawke’s Bay, from world-famous Art Deco architecture and award-winning wineries to scenic cycling trails, wildlife encounters and unforgettable guided tours. Whether you’re visiting for a day, a weekend or a longer holiday, Hawke’s Bay offers a perfect blend of history, coastal scenery, gourmet food and outdoor adventure. Browse our recommended tours below and start planning your Hawke’s Bay experience.

Napier Hawke's Bay New Zealand logo featuring a coastal street scene with a vintage car, cyclists, palm trees,

Why Visit Napier & Hawke's Bay?

Hawke’s Bay combines vibrant cities, acclaimed wineries, spectacular coastal scenery and a relaxed lifestyle. The region includes Napier, Hastings, Havelock North, Waipawa, Waipukurau and Wairoa, each offering unique attractions and experiences.

Famous as New Zealand’s Art Deco capital and home to the country’s oldest wine region, Hawke’s Bay also features more than 200 km of easy cycling trails, award-winning restaurants, farmers’ markets and dramatic coastal landscapes, making it one of New Zealand’s most rewarding year-round destinations.

Top Things to Do in Napier

Napier is renowned for its beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture, vibrant waterfront and award-winning food and wine experiences. Whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike or on a guided tour, these are some of the city’s must-see highlights.

  • Vintage cars paked outside hotel in NapierDiscover Napier’s Art Deco Heritage – Join a guided walking tour or enjoy a vintage car experience to learn how the city was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.
  • Stroll Marine Parade – Visit the iconic Pania of the Reef statue, Soundshell, gardens, fountains and scenic oceanfront walkways.
  • Explore the Sea Walls Street Art Trail – Discover more than 50 colourful murals created by local and international artists throughout the city.
  • Visit Ahuriri Village – Enjoy waterfront cafés, boutique shopping, galleries and one of Napier’s most popular dining precincts.
  • Experience Hawke’s Bay Wine Country – Take a guided wine tour or cycle between nearby vineyards and cellar doors, sampling some of New Zealand’s finest wines.

Top Things to Do in Hastings & Beyond

Beyond Napier, Hawke’s Bay offers spectacular scenery, charming villages and unforgettable outdoor experiences that are well worth exploring.

  • Town centre of hastings with pond and clock tower

    Visit Te Mata Peak – Drive or walk to one of Hawke’s Bay’s most spectacular viewpoints overlooking vineyards, orchards and the Pacific coastline.

  • Explore Cape Kidnappers – Home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, this dramatic coastal headland is one of the region’s most famous natural attractions.
  • Browse the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market – Held every Sunday, this popular market showcases fresh local produce, artisan food and regional wines.
  • Cycle the Hawke’s Bay Trails – Ride more than 200 kilometres of easy cycle trails linking wineries, rivers, orchards and coastal landscapes.
  • Discover Lake Waikaremoana – Venture into Te Urewera to experience one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, ancient native forest and peaceful wilderness.

Book the Best Tours in Napier & Hawke's Bay

Whether you’re looking for an award-winning wine tour, a self-guided cycling adventure, an Art Deco experience or a scenic sightseeing tour, Hawke’s Bay offers something for every traveller. We’ve carefully selected trusted local operators who showcase the very best of the region. Browse our recommended tours below and book directly with the operator for the latest availability, pricing and departure information.

art deco vintage car in napier ciy centre

Must-See Attractions & Iconic Landmarks in Napier & Hawke's Bay

Beyond its wineries and guided tours, Napier and Hawke’s Bay hold some of New Zealand’s most distinctive Art Deco architecture alongside standout natural landmarks. Here’s what to see and why each one matters.

Napier Soundshell – Art Deco Icon on Marine Parade

Built as part of the city’s Art Deco rebuild after the 1931 earthquake, the Soundshell still hosts concerts and community events today, including performances during the annual Art Deco Festival. Its curved, stepped design is one of the most recognisable pieces of Napier’s post-earthquake architecture — worth a stop whether or not there’s an event on.

The sound shell Napier on dusk

Pania of the Reef Statue – Napier’s Most Famous Landmark

This bronze statue, based on a Māori legend about a woman drawn back to the sea, sits on the Marine Parade foreshore near the viewing platform. It’s a common photo stop for visitors walking the waterfront.

Marine Parade – Napier’s Scenic Waterfront

A roughly 3km stretch along the coast linking the Soundshell, the Pania statue, the National Aquarium of New Zealand, sunken gardens, and Norfolk pine-lined walkways. It’s flat and easy on foot or by bike, and it’s the natural starting point for exploring the rest of central Napier.

National Tobacco Company Building – Art Deco Masterpiece

Designed by architect Louis Hay after the 1931 earthquake, this building in the Ahuriri district combines Art Deco and Art Nouveau detailing — look for the koru and fern motifs worked into the façade, a distinctly local touch on the Art Deco style. It’s one of the most photographed buildings on any Art Deco walking tour.

The tobacco company Building Napier

Napier Municipal Theatre – Restored 1930s Heritage

Rebuilt after the original 1912 theatre was destroyed in the 1931 earthquake, the current building opened in 1938 and seats around 1,000 people. It’s still an active performance venue, and its interior — including the circular Pan Pac foyer — is part of most guided Art Deco tours.

Te Mata Peak – Hawke’s Bay’s Best Viewpoint

At 399m, Te Mata Peak is the highest point in the area and a short drive or walk from Havelock North. From the summit you get views across vineyards, orchards, farmland and the coast — there are also several walking and mountain biking trails on the approach for those who want to make a longer trip of it.

Havelock North – Boutique Village & Wine Country Gateway

A compact village with boutique shops and cafés, Havelock North sits at the base of Te Mata Peak and is the closest base for exploring nearby wineries and cellar doors.

Cape Kidnappers & Gannet Colony

Home to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony — around 20,000 birds nesting here from September to April. The Gannet Safaris Overland tour takes you by 4WD through the private Cape Kidnappers Station farmland and wildlife sanctuary, with a stop at a cliff-top lookout en route, bringing you within metres of the colony with no walking required.

sunrise at cape kidnappers Gannet Colony

Frequently Asked Questions About Napier & Hawke's Bay

What are the best things to do in Napier & Hawke’s Bay?

Napier and Hawke’s Bay offer a diverse range of experiences, from exploring world-famous Art Deco architecture and award-winning wineries to cycling the Hawke’s Bay Trails, strolling Marine Parade and visiting Te Mata Peak. Visitors can also enjoy guided wine tours, Art Deco walking tours, coastal attractions, boutique shopping and excellent local food throughout the region.

Is Napier worth visiting?

Absolutely. Napier is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive cities, renowned for its beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture, sunny climate, vibrant waterfront and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Combined with Hawke’s Bay’s wineries, scenic landscapes and outdoor activities, it makes an ideal destination for a weekend getaway or longer holiday.

How many days should I spend in Napier & Hawke’s Bay?

A stay of two to three days is ideal for most visitors. This allows time to explore Napier’s Art Deco precinct, visit several wineries, cycle part of the Hawke’s Bay Trails, enjoy Marine Parade and discover highlights such as Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers. A longer stay gives you more time to explore the surrounding towns and attractions.

What is Hawke’s Bay famous for?

Hawke’s Bay is famous for being New Zealand’s oldest wine-producing region, its internationally recognised Art Deco architecture, over 200 kilometres of scenic cycling trails and outstanding food and wine experiences. The region is also known for Te Mata Peak, Cape Kidnappers, sunny weather and its relaxed lifestyle.

Can you visit Hawke’s Bay wineries without a car?

Yes. Many visitors choose a guided wine tour, allowing them to visit several cellar doors without driving. Another popular option is hiring a bike or e-bike and following the Hawke’s Bay Trails, which connect many of the region’s wineries, vineyards and local attractions.

What are the must-do experiences in Napier?

Some of Napier’s most popular experiences include joining an Art Deco walking tour or vintage car tour, strolling along Marine Parade, discovering the colourful Sea Walls Street Art Trail, exploring Ahuriri Village’s cafés and galleries, and enjoying a wine tour through nearby Hawke’s Bay vineyards.

What iconic landmarks should I see in Hawke’s Bay?

Some of Hawke’s Bay’s most iconic landmarks include the Napier Soundshell, Pania of the Reef statue, Marine Parade, the National Tobacco Company Building in Ahuriri, Napier Municipal Theatre, Te Mata Peak and Cape Kidnappers. Together, these attractions showcase the region’s unique blend of history, architecture, coastal scenery and natural beauty.