Top Napier Cultural Tours

Start your day with an easygoing walking tour around Napier’s Art Deco Quarter. Visit some of Napier’s iconic art deco buildings and hear from your guide about the people and events that shaped them. If you’ve just arrived in Napier, this is a great opportunity to get your bearings and see a different side of the city’s distinct architecture.

Step into the heart of Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke's Bay) on an authentic cultural journey through the stories, landscapes, and living traditions of Ngāti Kahungunu. As you travel through Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North, your guide will bring the region to life through captivating storytelling, connecting each place to the people, legends, and history that have shaped it for generations. Journey to culturally significant sites including Ōtātara Pā, Ngā Pou o Heretaunga, and Te Mata Peak, and hear the story of the Battle of Ōmarunui and the enduring legend of Pania of the Reef. Each stop offers a deeper connection to the history, whakapapa, and culture woven into the landscape. More than a sightseeing tour, this is a meaningful opportunity to experience Māori culture through authentic storytelling, spectacular scenery, and a deeper understanding of the enduring relationship between our people and whenua (land). Nau mai, haere mai—come, journey with us. Small-group tour.

This tour is designed exclusively for cruise ship passengers who want to make the most of their short time ashore. You’ll enjoy personalised attention from a passionate local guide who shares not just facts, but the hidden stories and unique character of Napier. You’ll experience Napier’s Art Deco beauty, vibrant street art, and Māori culture. From the impressive Ātea a Rangi Star Compass to the charming Ahuriri fishing village, every stop has been carefully chosen to give you a true taste of Hawke’s Bay. The tour ends with an indulgent moment – premium Hawke’s Bay wines and a platter in an iconic Art Deco building, just minutes from the port. Relax, connect, and savour the flavours of one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World before returning to your ship. We guarantee you will be back on time. If you want a shore excursion that goes beyond the typical highlights to offer authentic local experiences, cultural insights, and personal comfort, this is the perfect choice for you.

Tour Napier’s distinctive Art Deco heritage in style on this vintage car tour of the city. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1930s as you drive past some of the city’s must-see buildings in a vintage Packard car. Your local guide will tell you all about the earthquake of 1931 and the Art Deco architecture that emerged afterwards, so you can just relax in the back seat.

Taste local wines at three top Napier-area wineries without having to drive yourself or pick a sober driver on this small-group tour. While many wine tours are just a couple of hours, this tour provides a full day of indulgence. Refuel with a gourmet chef’s platter for lunch at one winery. Explore a range of varietals produced in the North Island’s premier wine region and receive a souvenir wine glass.

Enjoy an afternoon wine tour through some of Hawkes Bay's vineyards, including New Zealand's oldest winery, Mission Estate. Visit four top wineries for tastings paired with complimentary wine, cheese, and biscuits, and stop at a local chocolatier. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off included for a relaxed experience. The small-group size of the tour means you get personalized attention and the chance to ask questions.

Cruise ship travelers short on time on land can still experience the best of the Napier area on this half-day shore excursion. Travel on an Art Deco-style bus with large windows and a rear viewing deck. Drive past many of the city’s most attractive Art Deco buildings and stop at Silky Oak Chocolate Company for coffee and gelato. Cruise along Marine Parade and other scenic areas while enjoying live commentary.

Experience Hawke's Bay on this scenic 28km (17 mile) cycle ride. The route follows beautiful coastal bike trail. Visit Atea A Rangi Star Compass and enjoy wildlife in the estuary wetlands. The trail turns inland along Tukituki River valley vineyards. You can visit up to 4 wineries. Enjoy local cuisine, wine tasting or a glass of wine before our shuttle comes to take you back to Napier. This is a self-guided bike ride, you'll be provided map with directions and highlights. The route is 28km (17 mile) long and almost all cycle trail. Hospitality venues: Askerne Wines- open Mon-Sun Craggy Range - open Mon-Sun (requires 5km detour, booking essential) Te Mata Estate - open Mon-Sun Black Barn - open Mon-Sun Return shuttle departs Black Barn at 4pm. Booking wine tasting and lunch is recommended, especially on weekends. E-bike sizes XXS–XL, for heights 140 - 200cm

This isn’t just another wine tour — it’s a journey into the heart of New Zealand’s Great Wine Capital. With small groups and a personal touch, you’ll explore Hawke’s Bay’s boutique wineries at a relaxed pace, learning the stories that shaped this region into the gateway of New Zealand’s wine industry. From the elegant Art Deco streets of Napier to the world-famous Gimblett Gravels, every stop reveals a new layer of history, flavor, and craftsmanship. You’ll connect directly with passionate winemakers, enjoy intimate tastings, and savor a local cheese platter among the vineyards. Led by friendly, knowledgeable guides who love what they do, this experience combines culture, architecture, and award-winning wines in one unforgettable day. It’s authentic, immersive, and full of heart — exactly what a Great Wine Capital deserves.

Join Prinsy’s for a relaxed half-day trip through beautiful scenery when touring the Hawke’s Bay’s wineries when you join our tour with hotel pickup. Sample wines at up to four internationally recognised wineries, enjoy a complimentary cheeseboard, and learn to translate winemaking jargon into plain English. This half-day tour offers a personal experience with a small group of travelers, leaving you free to enjoy the region’s celebrated wines without planning hassles.