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How long should I plan to spend in Napier on a 18 day New Zealand vacation? |
Travel Info I want to explore the Art Deco architecture, but what else is there to do there and nearby? I will be visiting both islands this trip. Travel Tips When I go to a country where I've never been before, I like to spend a lot of time at one place. But that makes it impossible to spend much time at other places. Never take people very seriously when they tell you what to do and see. It's your vacation, not theirs. It depends on what you like, not what they like. I always try to maximize my flexibility, and not commit to going anywhere on any particular date. I like to get to know people. Visit them at home, etc. Then decide what to do next. Others as little as possible..napier even for me was boring Hawkes bay's a lovely little place Napier is a little place though but there are still things to do There is a great shopping mall there with all the brand name shops. There are also great resturants. There is also a great view at the top of the hill in napier. Ow yeah, and go to the napier aquarium and cheack out the kiwi birds in their dark enclosure. There is also an other thing like and aquarium in napier but it is like a dolphin show where you get to pat them! In the area there is cape kidnappers where you walk up a large mountain and look at the gannots and there is also a large car show near there In hastings there is Splash planet (a water park) and some more great shops and restuarants In havelock north (near hastings) there is Te mata peak which has some great views of Hawkes bay If you go in summer there is the strawberry patch ice cream shop where they have the best ice creams! There is also a chocolate factory in hawkes bay There is alot to do in the area, you just have to open your eyes Have fun! Lots to do - and great wineries in the Napier/Hastings area. You can cover the architecture in a day, then set aside another whole day for the local wineries! I presume the 18 day trip is a trip of the whole country, is it not? If this is so, then you haven't left yourself much time to take too much in, and probably 24 hours is all the time you can afford to spend without cutting out other places of interest. A 26 or 28 day tour is my recommended minimum. Must see in Hawkes Bay---- Pania, Art Deco guided tour (don't try it on your own, you must have the guide to explain the subtleties of architecture) Veronica Bell, Camera obscura (if you're interested), Earthquake Museum, (Careful, there's more than one so ask around and visit the better one) Te Mata Peak, Jukebox Museum, Cape Kidnappers (depends on tides) and wineries if you have time or interest, Norsewear at Norsewood. Enjoy the trip!! Driver T. Give it 2-3 days. The art deco thing, a city architecture/history tour, will take about a day. There is a special art deco weekend, I can't remember exactly when, but tours are all year round. But be sure to do a wine trail around the Hawkes Bay, if you are interested in quality wines. That'll take all day or at least all afternoon. No doubt you will probably want to follow with a nice meal on the Marine Parade or at Ahuriri where the newer bar/restaurants are. If you are after more family orientated things, the Napier Aquarium is world-class, as good as the ones in Auckland and Sydney. Marineland is not that good anymore. The gannet colony down by Cape Kidnappers is unique but on a limited time frame I'd give it a miss (beware quite smelly). A quick trip up to the top of Te Mata Peak for the 360deg view well worth it. Don't bother with Hastings. A lovely town but with only a few days nothing particularly special about it. If you are there in the summer you may like to go to the beach, but be aware that Marine Parade is a shingle beach with a dip that is unsafe for swimming. The closest nice swimming beach is Westshore, particularly the south end. If you want to relax on a nice golden beach, either head north to Waipatiki (not guarded) or south to Ocean Beach in Waimarama - both surf beaches with rips. If you are there in winter, it gets pretty cold, not quite snowy. Hawkes Bay region is off the beaten track for the average visitor to NZ, but is well worth visiting in my opinion. |
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