Napier is a picturesque sea-side town renown world-wide for it's Art Deco buildings, laid back lifestyle, beautiful weather (most of the time) wineries and café culture.
Every year in February an Art Deco Weekend is held, with special events around the Art Deco theme being organised such as Air Displays, Vintage Car rallies, Art Deco Ball, Winery Tours, Auctions, all accompanied, of course, by jazz bands and much merriment.
A compact city, Napier is a valued destination for travellers who are on working holidays and who follow the sun around for outdoor orchard/vineyard work as well as those who prefer a more relaxed time away from home.
Hastings is Napier's sister city only 12 kilometers away, and known for many years as the "Fruit Bowl of New Zealand" although with the development of new varieties of apples, pears and peaches which can be grown in a wider range of temperatures this title is now a tradition.
Napier/Hastings has a population base of approximately 100,000 + and has an Airport based 5 minutes out of Napier city, serviced by 2 feeder Airlines: Origin Pacific, and Air New Zealand.
Napier has a port through which the bulk of our primary produce of timber products, fruit and farm products are exported. Cruise ships visit the area regularly during the summer season.
THINGS TO DO
Activities in and around Napier cater for the sedate as well as the more daring travellers.
Tours can be arranged through most of the wineries in the area either by coach or as individuals in your own time. A lot of the wineries have a restaurant/café to enable the visitor to enjoy the product and ambience that is uniquely different at each winery.
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Free sheepskin tannery tours are available at CLASSIC SHEEPSKINS, New Zealand's premium sheepskin product manufacturer, which also has a factory outlet with factory prices and tax-free overseas posting facilities. A free courtesy coach is available to pick-up and drop-off visitors at their accommodation. Classic sheepskins are open 7 days 8am-5pm with free tannery tours conducted daily at 11am and 2pm.
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GANNET SAFARIS operate tours out to the world's largest and most spectacular mainland nesting place of gannets. Tours take approximately 3 hours and the coaches deliver the visitor, travelling across a 5000 acre working sheep and cattle station, to within a few feet of these remarkable birds, there is no walking required. Tours depart daily at 9.30am or 1.30pm September to May with Scenic Safaris June-August.
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NATIONAL AQUARIUM of New Zealand is situated on the Marine Parade foreshore and is the newest addition to Napier's attractions and is well worth a visit for the underwater enthusiast and children. "Dive with the sharks" is a feature available for qualified scuba divers or feed large sea turtles and kingfish. Feeding time is 3.15pm, the Aquarium is open 7 days 9am-5pm with extended hours in January.
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ART DECO NAPIER has guided walks at 10am daily and afternoon walks at 2pm daily from October-July and on Wed, Sat and Sun from July 1-September 30. Enjoy the history of Napier and it's unique collection of Art Deco/Spanish Mission style architecture in the company of a guide.
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OPOSSUM WORLD is also situated on the Marine Parade close to the town centre, with a boutique tannery and store selling top quality opossum products and offering a tour into the world of opossum and trapper. Open 7 days 9am-5pm.
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LIBERTY TOURS of Hawkes Bay offer the ultimate convenience of having an air conditioned vehicle chauffeured for you to enable the visitor to liberally sample the best of Hawkes Bay's wine or have a personalised itinerary prepared for you according to your interest. Bookings or information can be are available by email 4liberty@clear.net.nz
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Into adventure sports? SALTY ROCK ADVENTURE CENTRE is the place for you! This "one stop adventure shop" caters for indoor climbers (beginners to advanced), caving, kayakers or adventure trips customised to suit your needs.
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