Top Napier Historical 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.

Combine Napier’s Art Deco architecture with Hawkes Bay wine on a half-day, small-group shore excursion that includes tastings at two wineries. Start by exploring Napier and an attractive Art Deco suburb, then visit two wine estates for tastings with stops at Bluff Hill and Napier Reef Garden in between. This is a great way to explore the area without the struggle of navigating the area on your own.

Take this scenic drive through Tukituki Valley which will take you to the peak of Te Mata by stylin Supertrike. This is a small group tour, so you’ll keep costs down by sharing your ride. But since there are only 4 to a group, you’ll still have an intimate experience. You’ll ride through Napier, along the coast, and end up with some gorgeous views and a drink at the peak.

Discover the rural beauty and Art Deco architecture of Hawke’s Bay on a half-day shore excursion from Napier. Travel through orchards, vineyards, and farming areas, visit the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre for honey tasting, and enjoy panoramic views from Te Mata Peak. All transport is by climate-controlled vehicle, making this tour a perfect introduction to the region’s landscapes and history.

Cruise ship passengers who want an active adventure while on land will love this white-water rafting expedition from Napier. The rapids are an easy class II, so even first-timers and older kids can join in. Admire the views of the native bush, listen to birdsong, and even go for a swim in the gentle river if you like. Photos of your trip will be provided after.

This is a compact well thought out tour, offering you an exceptionally good tour of the local highlights including wine tasting. A must do tour for every visitor. You will have a fantastic understanding of what "Art Deco' actually is. You will see the "off the track" locations and learn why Napier was build in Art Deco, why Napier is the Art Deco Capital of the World, coves all Sight seeing places of Napier with Premium Winery tasting.

If you’re short on time in Napier, or wanting an overview of the city’s striking Art Deco architecture before exploring further alone, this morning tour is convenient. Admire the beautiful buildings of the Ahuriri and Marewa districts; see Art Deco landmarks such as the National Tobacco Building; and learn more about the distinctive design style. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Step back in time on our Hawke’s Bay Historic Wineries Tour. Visit Mission Estate, NZ’s oldest winery, founded by French missionaries in 1851, and taste elegant wines while exploring the beautifully preserved building and cellar. Drive through historic Taradale, lined with charming villas and early settler cottages that tell the story of Hawke’s Bay’s wine pioneers. Next, we will visit Church Road Winery, est in 1897 by Tom McDonald, father of NZ’s fine reds. To finish, we’ll take you up to Bluff Hill Lookout for sweeping views over Napier Port, the Pacific Ocean, and Napier’s Art Deco skyline. Experience the heritage in every glass! - Visit Mission Estate, NZ’s oldest winery - Explore historic cellars and buildings - Guided tastings of premium Hawke’s Bay wines - Learn the region’s winemaking history - Travel through scenic countryside - Expert guide offering rich historical context * To request Alternative start times or tour customisations - Book on our Mates Travel website.

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.

Take a scenic drive through the countryside to visit Maraetotara Falls, where you can enjoy a peaceful walk and views of the waterfall. Next, head to the Arataki Honey Visitors Centre, the largest beekeeping business in the Southern Hemisphere, to sample Manuka Honey and learn about honey production. Continue to the famous Te Mata Peak for the panoramic views over the Hawkes Bay. Stop at Ahuriri Village, a historic fishing village known for its charming atmosphere and the National Tobacco Building, an iconic Art Deco structure perfect for photos.

Step into the heart of Te Matau-a-Māui (Hawke’s Bay) on this authentic cultural journey. This tour offers a rare opportunity to connect deeply with the land, people, and rich heritage of Māori culture through expert storytelling and visits to significant sites. Walk in the footsteps of ancestors who shaped Ahuriri (Napier) and gain a profound understanding of Ngāti Kahungunu, one of Aotearoa’s largest iwi. Experience intimate stories, sacred legends, and historical events that bring the past vividly to life. This deeply immersive tour isn't just sightseeing, but a powerful connection to Māori identity, tradition, and spirituality. Perfect for those seeking a meaningful and memorable cultural experience. Nau mai, haere mai—come, journey with us. Explore Ōtātara Pā Hear about the Battle of Ōmarunui Hear the Legend of Pania of the Reef Visit Ngā Pou o Heretaunga Visit to Te Mata Peak Small group tour To request Alternative start times or customisations, reach out to us after booking.

Step into the world of timeless elegance and indulge in a unique experience that combines the history of Art Deco, Distilling, and the history of Napier and the 1931 Earthquake. Beginning with our Art Deco heritage tour, we will drive through Napier City and soak up the beautifully preserved Art Deco architecture. Led by your knowledgeable local guide, you will hear stories of Napier's rich heritage, the 1931 earthquake and how it shaped the Art Deco Napier we see today. Then arrive at the breathtaking Old National Tobacco Building, an architectural gem and home to the award-winning National Distillery Company. Soak up the beauty of this heritage building and peek into the Distillery, where the Spirits you taste have been lovingly crafted. Includes tastings in a relaxed environment while you learn about the distilling process from the experts on site. - Small Group Tour * To request Alternative start times or tour customisations - Book on our Mates Travel website.

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.

The 6-hour tour overviews the region, highlighting art deco, orchids, vineyards, sheep farming, cattle farming, deer farming, and so much more. Spectacular rural drive and views. The history of the area, including the 1931 earthquake, is illustrated with the aid of a photo book.  You will start your day learning what art deco actually is, so you know what to look out for in terms of the unique art deco found here in Napier and Hastings cities. You will visit a lovely "off-track" scenic lookout that looks out over the city of Napier, Hawkes Bay, Cape Kidnappers, and Te Mata Peak. Next, it is off through the area you have just seen along the coast, a hidden valley, and to Te Mata Peak. You will then also visit the largest honey producer in the Southern Hemisphere. You will have time for a short lunch at a cafe in the Hastings area, then back to Napier for a wine tasting before finishing back in Napier by driving through a lovingly kept art deco housing suburb.