Napier

Flattened by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the style of the day, Napier is the best-preserved Art Deco town in the world: walk the facades, ride a vintage car, and visit the National Aquarium on the Marine Parade. Around it, the Hawke's Bay wineries, Te Mata Peak above Havelock North, and the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers (October to April). Dry and sunny.

Highlights

• Art Deco walking tour
• Vintage car rides
• Marine Parade
• Cycle trails through the wineries
• Te Mata Peak sunset
• Cape Kidnappers gannets

Things to do

• Guided Art Deco walkMorning · 2h
• Wine country by bike (Hawke's Bay trails)Afternoon · 4h
• Te Mata Peak at sunsetEvening · 1h 30m
• Cape Kidnappers gannet tourOct–AprMorning · 4h

Tours & tickets

When to go

Best time: November – April

• Art Deco Festival Napier — Usually mid-February: four or five days of 1930s costume, vintage cars, jazz, picnics and flypasts in the Art Deco streets. Napier's rooms sell out; book months ahead or stay in Hastings.