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Shore Excursion: 4-Hour Discover Hawkes Bay and Napier Tour
Napier, New Zealand
- 4 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the rural beauty of Hawkes Bay and Napier’s Art Deco architecture on a half-day shore excursion from Napier. You’ll see a scenic landscape of orchards, vineyards, and pasture, and enjoy dramatic views of Te Mata Peak. Next, step back in time in Napier’s historic neighborhoods, where you’ll see perfectly-preserved Art Deco architecture that dates back to the 1930s and 1940s. With all transport by climate-controlled coach or minivan, this Napier shore excursion is the perfect introduction to the Hawke’s Bay region.
- See Hawke's Bay rural landscape and urban architecture
- Pre-book a shore excursion to save time
- Great overview and orientation of the city
- Ideal choice for families
- Pickup and drop-off at an easy-to-reach shuttle stop
What's Included
- Local guide
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan or small coach (20 seats)
- Any other private purchases on the day not outlined in the itinerary
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- National Aquarium of New Zealand546 Marine Parade, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand
Pickup point
- Napier
Start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
Opening hours
- 10/1/2016 - 5/31/2030
Monday - Thursday : 12:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday - Saturday : 12:00 AM - 07:00 AM
Sunday : 12:00 AM - 07:00 PM
End point
- 70 Marine Parade, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand
The Ships Shuttle pickup location on the day. You will also have the opportunity depart the tour in the City Centre to shop before catching the Shuttle back, time permitting.
Pickup details
Your tour starts at the FINAL SHUTTLE STOP on the day. Generally this is the Napier Aquarium and on occasion (generally smaller ships) it maybe the Visitor Centre. We will always be at the FINAL SHUTTLE STOP for you.
What To Expect
Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours Ltd
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels maybe accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark; Please advise at time of booking. Subject to storage space
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- A minimum of 2 people per tour is required - single travellers please enquire
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.0
65 reviews
George_R, Mar 2024
Watching our driver trying to work the defroster and then he was trying to answer his cell phone while driving. Totally not professional. He was good at pointing out supermarkets and homes with flat roofs. We did make a photo stop so the driver could take a photo of an antique car.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi George. Thank you for your review. As your review is identical (almost to the wording as above), I feel if you do get back to read this, then please do refer to the review above. I have covered this above in detail - John
michaelmorisset, Mar 2024
Napier is an amazing art-deco city to visit with beautiful building & the country side was stunning.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Michal... Thank you for your review. Yes, we have a lovely City and as you mention, fantastic countryside. I am so proud to live in the beautiful part of the world. This is why all our drivers are so passionate to present their home area to our passengers on the day. Thank you again. - John
Dennis_B, Mar 2024
John was an amazing guide and Napier was a beautiful little town. If you have any interest in Art Deco, this is the tour for you. If you don't know what Art Deco is, it is a great learning experience. The impromptu visit to a winery for a tasting was an added bonus. Thank you John!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Dennis... Thank you for your fantastic review. More so when it bears my name.. ha ha.
It is so easy to present something that you are passionate about. We live in a fantastic part of the world. I am glad you enjoyed the Winery also. Yes, a lovely place to taste. - John
Mark_A, Mar 2024
Napier portion of tour was fine. The Hawkes Bay tour was extremely disappointing. The bay was in reality a few suburbs of Napier. Tour commentary included gems such as “there’s a house with a flat roof,” “that grocery store replaced an earlier building,” “the view from this summit is spectacular, but we’re not allowed to go up there anymore.”
Response from Host, Apr 2024
HGi Mark_A. Thank you for taking the time to place your review. It is a shame that you do not contact the owners to address this straight away. I am reading this weeks on and there is no reference to the driver for me to act on. Please in the future if you come across this, contact the business if you are serious about fixing what you consider is not right. I am sorry if the tour was not as expected. We do thousands of these across the season and I do not like even one disappointed customer. - John
Deborah_B, Mar 2024
Review:
Our tour guide Roy, was exceptional! He expertly navigated us through the charming city, showcasing Napier’s rich Art Deco architecture and sharing fascinating historical anecdotes. His passion for the city was infectious, making the tour informative and engaging. I highly recommend Roy for anyone looking to explore Napier's beauty and history! Roy. took us to the history of the earthquake of 1931 and how the community rebuilt the city very quickly. He drove us to different neighborhoods, the farms of apple orchards, vineyards, Tuki Tuki and much more. He even drove us to Mountain Track where you can see a spectacular view of the city. Just reserve this tour! You will know Napier, Hastings & Hawkes Bay in no time.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Debora.. Thank you for your fantastic review and comments around Roy. As you will now know, Roy was born and lived his life here in Napier. He knows the area and is passionate as you note above. I am so pleased you loved your tour and hope you have very fond memories of this area... it is lovely. - John
Pat_H, Jan 2024
Our guide Kirsty had a great personality and was very knowledgeable. She was patient, kind and thoughtful. Water and fruit was available throughout the tour. It was fun hearing the folktales about the people and country. Plenty of bathroom breaks along the way. My group of four had a great time and were so happy to have had Kirsty for our guide.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Pat_H; Thank you for taking the time to post a fantastic review. I am so proud of all our driver / Guides. They are always courteous and helpful. The tour you were on has been unchanged for close to 15 years, since the cruise ships started to come to Napier. Your tour is hugely popular tour.
Thank you again for your time to write. - John
Mike_W, Jan 2024
Our driver/guide, Kristy, was great, and we learned all about Art Deco and the history of Napier & surroundings. The only downside was the tiny windows on the van restricted the view.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Hi Mike_W. I am so proud of all our driver / Guides. They are always courteous and helpful. As you are aware now, we used a photo guidebook (that we have created), to help illustrate the destruction of New Zealand's largest Natural Disaster, the 1931 earthquake that destroyed Napier, and the rebuilding of the Art Deco Capital of the World... Napier. Yes, I must agree, while we use factory mini busses (vans), up close the windows are low. I am sorry, there is nothing to correct this. Thank you for taking the time to review.
Elaine_D, Dec 2023
Roy was amazing. He knew so much about the history of Napier and Hawkes Bay. His stories were wonderful as was his sense of humor. Very nice tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hi Elaine_D: Thank you for your comments. Yes, Roy, as are all our staff react very well with our clients and we are so proud of this. We only have Napierite's as guides and this shows through. As you say, Roy is extremely passionate about Napier. Thank you for your review. - John
Catherine_O, Mar 2023
This tour was 2/3’s looking at buildings and houses. Through open doors and looking into windows at art deco lights. We spent only 1/3 of the time on the countryside and I was extremely bored looking only at “lines” on buildings. I would only recommend this tour to someone interested at snail paced travel by car and pulling over to the sides of roads to look into windows. The tour began with 20 minutes sitting in the van while a pamphlet was gone through at an agonizing pace. We had already read the entire pamphlet prior to traveling 100 feet and pulling over. Beautiful homes and art deco but there was way too much time spent looking at all the architecture for me.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hi Catherine, Thank you for your review. The tour is a 50:50 Country and Napier Art Deco tour. As you are aware, we are forced at present to make changes to the countryside tour times due to the Cyclone that hit us a few weeks back. We were still in a state of emergency at the time you took your tour.
We have always been complimented with the info/background book in the past. Yes, you may have sat in the van for 20 minutes, the tour is advertised to start at 30 minutes, so I am glad you did have that earlier start. Most people that arrive to Napier and take our tours have no idea as to what art deco actually is. The purpose of this part is to illustrate exactly what it is (partly during our book presentation) and along the way. Any and every home that we may say "look at this or that", we have personally approached and have their blessing to look at their home(s). I am sorry this was not the tour for you, however, it is the biggest selling pre-booked tour in Napier. Contact me for a chat if you wish, I am always happy to hear about your tour. - John
Wendy_C, Mar 2023
This tour was quite boring. Due to the cyclone that had hit Napier at least one of the roads we were due to use was cut off so the driver apparently tried to fill the 4 hour tour duration by driving round the streets to show us what felt like every art deco building available. A better option in my view would have been to just drop us early and let us wander through the main street. In fact some of the clients asked to be dropped off early and it was only afterwards that those who continued with the driver got to a scenic viewing point.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Hi Wendy, thank you for taking the time to review your tour. Personally I take pride in any tour my staff or myself take. For those reading this review, as noted above, a huge Cyclone had hit Napier, just weeks earlier the river we need to cross to complete a huge portion of this tour had 4 of 6 bridges washed away, thousands of people displaced, hundreds of homes and local communities still today uninhabitable. We need to judge our times across the existing bridges to avoid long queues and hold ups to make you late back. We are doing our best to show you as much of the area we can under very difficult circumstances. - John
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