Shore excursion: Napier-Premium Wineries & Sights /Art deco tour
Badge of Excellence
Napier, New Zealand
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Combine Napier’s Art Deco architecture with Hawke's Bay wine on a small-group shore excursion that includes wine and honey tastings. Fit a lot into just half a day on land. Start by exploring an 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.
- See prime examples of Napier's distinctive building style
- Explore the Arataki Honey Visitor Centre with free tastings
- Pickup and drop-off from Napier Port is included
- Enjoy a variety of food, drink, cultural, and natural attractions
What's Included
- 2 Premium Winery tasting
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Bottled water
- What's app customer support for faster response
- Lunch
- Any private purchases
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 03/28/2026 - 10/10/2026
Monday - Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Thursday : 12:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM
- 10/11/2026 - 12/20/2026
Monday - Sunday : 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- 12/21/2026 - 08/03/2027
Monday - Sunday : 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Itinerary
1
Napier
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Mission Estate Winery
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Bluff Hill Lookout
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Napier Reef Garden
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Brookfields Vineyards
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
6
Arataki Honey Visitor Centre
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Please Note: A current valid passport may be required on the day for proof of age to taste.
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- A minimum of 2 people per tour is required - single travellers please enquire
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 117 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Karen_B, Mar 2026
Karen was a fabulous tour guide! Very knowledgeable and friendly. Really enjoyed our time with her. We visited 4 wineries and they were all great! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback 😊
Maria_K, Mar 2026
We had a wonderful day We visited a few look out points with amazing views. Bus was comfortable and our driver was friendly and knowledgeable Visited Mission estate and Shed560 Both were really good Wine was exceptional at Mission We ordered a case to be delivered to Australia as shipping is free. Thank you
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had a wonderful day and enjoyed the beautiful lookout points, comfortable transport, and the wine tastings at Mission Estate and Shed 560. It’s great to know the Mission wine was so exceptional that you ordered a case to Australia. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on your next visit.
Regards
Team
Hawke's Bay scenic tours 😊
Rosemary_P, Mar 2026
Kirsty was a wonderful very knowledgable guide. so passionate about her tour. We enjoyed the day spent with her very much. I highly recommend this tour and this tour guide.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your day with Kirsty—she’ll be thrilled to hear this. We really appreciate your recommendation
Kind regards
Team
Hawke's Bay scenic tours 😊
Sean_L, Mar 2026
Anil was a great tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. He showed us the beautiful lookout and then the stunning art-deco little town. We were then taken through the art-deco suburbs to see the houses. Following this we were taken to two beautiful wineries where we tasted a number of lovely wines. Highly recommend this tour group, and especially Anil.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your lovely review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour, the Art Deco sights, and the winery tastings. Anil will be happy to hear your kind words. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again! 🍷
Kind Regards
Team
Hawke's Bay scenic tours
Jennifer_D, Mar 2026
Fabulous tour - our guide Anil was amazing and ensured we had AMPLE tastings and a super fun experience, including arranging for us to have one of the owners lead our tasting at Brookside. THANK YOU ANIL!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re glad you had a fabulous tour and that Anil made it such a fun experience with plenty of tastings. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon.
Regards
Team
Hawke's Bay scenic tours
John_S, Mar 2026
Tour was not as advertised and disappointed with the day. First of all this was not a small group with max 15 people - it was a 50 seater quite frankly horrible bus which was old and filthy and very uncomfortable. The tour guide was actually very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about the history of Napier which was very interesting. After this we went to Mission Estate and had an enjoyable tasting but then rushed back to the bus and no time to explore the beautiful winery. Then taken to Arataki honey which was a waste of time as cannot make purchases as on a cruise ship. Then off to the Bluff lookout which couldn’t actually go all the way as large vehicles are banned, not sure if we had been on the advertised mini bus it would have made a difference. The Napier reef garden wasn’t even mentioned or visited so missed out entirely. Then taken to Pask winery which whilst was not the advertised winery was a nice enough visit but then tried to split us up into two groups one back to ship the other advised wouldn’t be taken back to ship and we would have to catch ship shuttle, unfortunately there was no room for us on the ship bus so advised would have to go to shuttle stop, after some disagreement agreed to arrange to take us to the ship along with sone other guests in the same situation. Overall very disappointed with this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback. From your description, it appears you may have joined a cruise ship tour that typically uses 50-seater buses. Our company is a small tour operator and we only operate 10-seater mini vans for our tours; we are very small company so do not have large buses in our fleet.
Because this review does not seem to relate to our service, we have flagged it with TripAdvisor/Viator so it can be reviewed and applied to the appropriate business.
Kind regards,
Team Hawke's Bay Scenic Tours
Matthew_D, Mar 2026
Great day. Anil was great. At Brookfields, he recognized Sharon was having a good time with our group and let us stay longer. Full disclosure: We bought 4 bottles. Well worth it.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you had a great day and that Anil made the experience enjoyable. It’s fantastic that you had such a good time at Brookfields — staying a little longer when everyone is enjoying themselves is what a relaxed wine tour is all about. And buying four bottles definitely sounds like a success! 🍷
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to see you again on another tour in the future.
Kind regards,
Team Hawke’s Bay Scenic Tours
Rebecca_B, Mar 2026
Great opportunity to explore this beautiful area and what it has to offer. Wineries were gorgeous and a lot of fun.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Rebecca, we are so pleased that enjoyed your Cruise ship winery tour..
Regards
Team Hawke's Bay scenic tours
SUSAN_H, Mar 2026
This included 2 wineries. The Mission Winery was very interesting as the winery tour guide gave us much information about the wines and the winery.
The tour guide/ bus driver did an excellent job. Especially since he had a large group tour while it is advertised as a small group tour.
It was a fun tour and our guides handle the large group well but it should not be advertised as a small group tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Susan,
Thank you for your feedback. We usually operate our tours in comfortable Toyota 12-seater vans to ensure a more personal experience. However, when some cruise ships arrive later in the day and winery availability becomes limited, we occasionally use 20-seater vans to accommodate everyone smoothly.
We would like to assure you that we never use large 49-seater buses, which are commonly used for standard ship tours, as we prefer to keep our tours more intimate and enjoyable.
We truly appreciate your lovely feedback.
Kind regards,
Team Hawke’s Bay Scenic Tours
kkihunt, Mar 2026
The two wineries they took us had flavorful wine and pretty grounds. We enjoyed them both. What was a disappointing fact was we paid for a small group experience and were shuttled around as a group of 49 in a bus that was sized for elementary age children. The bus was too big to go to top of park for views that were promised. The views were nice from the lower point and the guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Don’t promise small group experiences and cram me in a large uncomfortable bus made for small children that can’t get to places with the best view. I disembarked the ship at 805 on the first group to assure a good seat and view and did not get that and that was disappointing.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear customer,
We completely understand your concerns and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
On the day of your tour, one of our guides unfortunately suffered a heart attack. Due to this unexpected medical emergency, we had to quickly arrange a bus so we wouldn’t need to cancel the tour altogether. All guests were given the option to cancel and receive a full refund, however you chose to continue with the tour, which we truly appreciated.
Despite the situation, we still delivered the Art Deco experience along with two premium wineries as included in your booking. In addition, we visited Arataki Honey and Te Mata Peak, which were not part of the original itinerary and were provided complimentary. The tour also extended to 5.5 hours, longer than scheduled, as we added extra sightseeing for our guests.
We did our absolute best to turn a very challenging day into a positive experience for everyone, and the circumstances were clearly explained at the time.
We are sorry that you felt disappointed, as it was never our intention. We always aim to go above and beyond for our guests, even in difficult and unforeseen situations.
Regards
Team Hawke's Bay scenic tours
Beth_M, Mar 2026
Our small group tour ended up being 40 people on a bus made for small people. We had to sit sideways because our legs would not fit in space. Most uncomfortable. The headrests and chair backs were so tall, one could only see out of a single window. As we were in a large bus, rather than a small group van, we were unable to drive to the top of the lookout, and nor were we able to drive on the Main Street with the art deco buildings. We never made it to the Reef garden. The wineries were excellent, both the wine and the shared information.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Beth,
We completely understand your concerns and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
On the day of your tour, one of our guides unfortunately suffered a heart attack. Due to this unexpected medical emergency, we had to quickly arrange a bus so we wouldn’t need to cancel the tour altogether. All guests were given the option to cancel and receive a full refund, however you chose to continue with the tour, which we truly appreciated.
Despite the situation, we still delivered the Art Deco experience along with two premium wineries as included in your booking. In addition, we visited Arataki Honey and Te Mata Peak, which were not part of the original itinerary and were provided complimentary. The tour also extended to 5.5 hours, longer than scheduled, as we added extra sightseeing for our guests.
We did our absolute best to turn a very challenging day into a positive experience for everyone, and the circumstances were clearly explained at the time.
We are sorry that you felt disappointed, as it was never our intention. We always aim to go above and beyond for our guests, even in difficult and unforeseen situations.
Team Hawke's Bay scenic tours Ltd
Joanne_H, Feb 2026
Great guide! The 2 wineries were wonderful. Sharon, the owner at Brookfield Winery was absolutely fantastic.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for lovely feedback, 😊
Kylie_E, Feb 2026
I did this tour with my husband, my mum & my stepdad. We would all happily recommend this tour if you are visiting Napier. Our guide was Anil and he was very personable and full of knowledge about the area. The two wineries we visited were both excellent and offered 2 very different experiences. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review — we truly appreciate it, as many guests forget to share their experience. Your feedback means a lot to us and helps future travellers choose with confidence. We’re so glad you joined us! 😊
Anna_G, Feb 2026
Brilliant way to see some of Napiers Art-Deco beauty and experience the wineries. Our guide, Thirsty Kirsty, was a treat. Such fun and kind consideration of my mum’s vision and mobility limitations. Very knowledgable about the area and it’s history. Wish we had more time as there is so much to see and do in this beautiful town.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review — we truly appreciate it, as many guests forget to share their experience. Your feedback means a lot to us and helps future travellers choose with confidence. We’re so glad you joined us! 😊
Krystle_P, Feb 2026
Our driver and guide was delightful, however I feel the running of the day could be better (and this is just my opinion). We were very unimpressed by Mission Estate winery for several reasons, but thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Brookfields. Excellent host and some quality wines.
I can’t fault our driver, but would suggest reconsidering the winery options. Being the oldest winery doesn’t make it the best.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Krystle,
Thank you for your feedback. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts, as we consider all feedback carefully when selecting the wineries for our tours.
Mission Estate Winery is the oldest winery in New Zealand, with a unique history and a strong reputation for premium wines. Due to its popularity, we need to book around two months in advance as they are often sold out.
That said, we have taken your opinion into account, as it helps us continue refining and improving our wine tours to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.
Kind regards,
Andrew_S, Feb 2026
An excellent tour with an entertaining and knowledgeable host. Napier is beautiful with quirky Art Deco buildings. The two wineries visited offered a delightful selection of sample wines. As a consideration for future guests I would suggest a 30 min stop is built in to allow for a bite to eat.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Wineries tour, we really as Cruise ships have very limited time available sitting for lunch means we have to cut other sightseeing places or important portion of tour, but we do offer lunch stop when cruise ship is in longer time..
Hawke's Bay scenic tours 😊
Lindy_S, Feb 2026
Great Tour to lovely winery. Really enjoyed the flight of beers at brewery. Kirsty was a very knowledgeable guide and we learnt a lot about Napier's earthquake and the rebuilding in the Art Deco style. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much, Lindy, for your lovely review.
We usually visit two premium wineries with our cruise ship guests, but as your ship arrived later in the afternoon, options were limited since most wineries close tastings around 3:30 pm. To make sure you still had a memorable experience, we added a visit to one of our top local breweries.
We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed your tour and hope to welcome you again one day.
Team
Hawke's Bay scenic tours 😊
Shaun_P, Feb 2026
They left without us, said they waited 40mins which is a total lie, they didn’t contact us, we tried to contact them but they wouldn’t answer. Appalling for a tour company I would use someone one else or be disappointed.
Getting off the ship can be time consuming and the tour apparently leaves 30 minutes after the first person gets off the ship which is not quite fair when you haven’t got priority disembarkation it will take longer especially when the arrival time is 2pm everyone is ready to get off, again be aware you may not go on your trip if you booked through this company.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Customer,
We would like to clarify the circumstances regarding the missed tour.
At Napier Port, strict port authority regulations apply. Small tour operators are permitted to park only for a maximum of 30 minutes, and vehicles cannot wait directly at the ship gangway. These requirements are clearly outlined in the tour ticket instructions provided prior to arrival.
Unfortunately, as these instructions were not followed, the tour was missed. Your cruise ship was in Napier for only six hours, making careful time management essential. Our shared tour operates on a schedule designed to ensure all guests can complete the four-hour experience and return to the ship well before departure.
Once the first guest arrives at the designated meeting point after disembarkation begins, we wait a maximum of 30 minutes for late arrivals. Arriving significantly later would require guests who followed the instructions to remain seated in the vehicle for an extended period, which would not be reasonable. Extended waiting is only possible for private tours, where the schedule is exclusive to one group.
For this reason, guests are also requested to have mobile roaming enabled so we can contact them if we do not see them arriving on time.
We did our very best to deliver an enjoyable experience for guests who arrived on time, while also fulfilling our responsibility to ensure everyone returned safely to the ship without delay.
As your booking and payment were made through Viator and not directly with us, any refund decision rests solely with Viator and is subject to their investigation. At Viator’s request, we have already provided verified proof of our arrival at Napier Port along with confirmed timing records to support the facts.
We genuinely regret that this situation caused disappointment and hope this explanation clarifies why the tour was missed.
For any future guests reading this review, please understand that punctual arrival is essential. If you believe you may be delayed, it is very important to inform us in advance so alternative arrangements can be considered. Napier Port requires advance registration for each arrival, and our priority is always the safety and timely return of all guests to their ship.
Kind regards,
Hawke’s Bay Scenic Tours Team
Selma_A, Jan 2026
Guide was late (due to traffic issue) and not particularly engaging or forthcoming with local information. Was basically a driver between two wineries. The hosts at the wineries were informative and wines were good. No food was served (could be purchased at second stop) so be prepared to drink over lunchtime. Eat a hearty breakfast before.
Feel like drive through Napier and environs could have been more informative.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback. On the day of your tour, there were a couple of serious car accidents which resulted in both highways being temporarily closed. This caused unavoidable delays, and our representative at the port did communicate clearly that the vehicle would be running late.
To help us review this further, could you please provide the name of the driver so we can identify with other guests feedback.
We were also disappointed to see the comment regarding food, as food is not advertised or included in this tour but crackers were provided by Church Road Winery and Mission Estate do not offer snacks as part of their standard tastings. Both wineries are consistently ranked among the top wineries in Hawke’s Bay, and they are considered premium and iconic venues to visit in the region.
While we always try our best to accommodate guests, some personal preferences and expectations can be difficult to meet, particularly when they fall outside what is offered by the wineries themselves.
That said, we genuinely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and feedback, as it helps us continue to improve where possible..
Lisa_W, Jan 2026
I think this might have been the most disorganized tour I have ever been on. The owner/organizers told guests to gather in three different places. Every communication - Viatour description, text, email - was a different place. It took them more than an hour to round everybody up. Then the tour guides weren’t even told where to take us. One boss told our guide one thing, then another boss told her to do something totally different. Staffing at one winery was inadequate and not even any crackers for 12 glasses of wine on a four hour tour. Oh, and the tour became an awful six hours because they were so disorganized. The tour guide was good but she took us all the way up to a viewing point only to find the road closed with no access. A real waste of our time. We can not recommend this tour or this vendor.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We appreciate the opportunity to clarify a few points regarding the pickup arrangements for your tour.
Viator is one of our booking agents, and unfortunately we are unable to edit or amend the tour tickets they issue. This tour previously departed from the National Aquarium in Napier, which required guests to take a shuttle. However, the pickup location has recently been updated to Napier Port, allowing guests to board directly from the ship.
On the day of your tour, our guide was positioned at the port close to the ship, holding our large, clearly marked signage. A vehicle was waiting specifically at the port to collect you. Unfortunately, as the older Viator instructions were followed, you boarded the shuttle and were taken to the Aquarium instead, which caused delays and confusion despite our advance notifications.
We had sent multiple messages several days prior to the tour to inform you of the updated pickup location, but it appears the older instructions were followed instead.
Regarding the wineries visited, your tour included Mission Estate, New Zealand’s oldest winery, which requires bookings up to two months in advance due to high demand, and Pask Winery, the first winery established in the Gimblett Gravels region. Both are considered premium wineries and are highly regarded for their history, quality, and reputation. While we regret they did not meet your personal expectations, they are among our most requested and well-reviewed venues.
We truly value your feedback and are sorry that parts of your experience did not meet expectations. There was sudden road block due to car accident which is out of control for us, but Your comments help us continue to improve our communication and guest experience.
Shmuel_S, Jan 2026
Lovely way to see the highlights of the city and fun wine tastings. Our guide was very nice and accommodating
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so pleased you enjoyed seeing the city highlights and the wine tastings, and that your guide made the experience enjoyable and accommodating.
Thank you for using Hawke's Bay scenic tours. 😊
Robert_M, Jan 2026
Good selection of small wineries visited. Jennifer, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable. Had a quick stop at food store for chocolate bars!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the selection of small wineries, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with Jennifer. She’ll be delighted to hear this. We hope to welcome you again on another tour soon!
Wendy_B, Dec 2025
A potentially good tour in sunny weather. Unfortunately it was raining constantly and very windy during this tour so we weren’t able to get to the lookout and enjoy the view. We stopped at 2 wineries for tastings and then drove around the city to try to see art deco buildings through steamed up windows!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We’re glad you enjoyed your tour, Wendy. Despite the challenging weather, we made sure to cover everything on the itinerary. Thank you for booking with Hawke’s Bay Scenic Tours.
😊
Dianne_M, Dec 2025
Very enjoyable and relaxed. Our tour guide Kristy was very good Amazed at the damage and then reconstruction of Napier. Lovely town to visit. Highly recommend this tour
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you Diane for your lovely feedback, Our guides are highly trained are one of the best Guides in NZ, we have pleased hundreds of people Since 2004, as very Few tour operators are left in NZ who started with us 20 years ago.. Thank you for your using Hawke's bay scenic tours. 😊
Randy_R, May 2025
The stop at Mission Winery was worth the trip all by itself. Beautiful setting and great tasting room. Just a shame this portion of the excursion wasn't a little bit longer. Highly Recommend.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your feedback.
Regards
DONALD_P, Mar 2025
Kirsty was an outstanding host. Her in depth knowledge of the local area meant that we got to see a number of sights that might not have been covered on another tour. We learned a lot of Napier history with a local. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Kirsty is always our top guide she loves everyone very kind generous lady that's why most of our Winery tours are done by her.
Loved that you happy with our wine tour. Take care
sharon_l, Feb 2025
Coming off the cruise shuttle bus was delayed, but all guests made our tour as Kirstie waited thise few extra minutes. Off to a good start...Kirstie was kind, professional and knowledgeable about Napier..and an excellent driver! The Mission Estate winery was a great experience...in a private room with a staff member. The property was lovely
. even bought a bottle of wine to enjoy onboard our ship. Great to travel with small group and make new friends!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hi sharon_: Thank you for your fantastic review. I am so pleased you enjoyed your Napier shore excursion with Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours. Thank you again. - John
Nancy_T, Feb 2025
Another couple from the cruise ship joined us for the tour, and we all had a great time. Anil is an excellent tour guide. He communicates well, uses the microphone effectively, and is funny.
Every stop was good, but I especially appreciated the view from the old neighborhood, where he showed us a map of the geography before and after the earthquake.
Anil was very good at explaining the unique characteristics of Art Deco architecture.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hi Nancy_T: Thank you for your fantastic review of your Napier Shore Excursion. I am so pleased you enjoy your tour. It is (I think) the most popular Napier Shore Excursion on offer in Napier on any ship visiting day. We always get big numbers, but use small vehicles to improve your experience. Thank you again. _ John
Stacy_F, Jan 2025
Lovely city and historic winery, followed by a tasting at a craft brewery. Kirstie was a fun and informative guide, and showed us some hidden gems in town that we never would have found on our own. We wish we'd had more time to visit Napier, but our ship was only there for a few hours. This was a great way to see the highlights.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Hi Stacey_F: Thank you for your great review. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your tour with us here in Napier. We love showing our beautiful city to visitors. Thank you again. - John
Mandy_G, Mar 2024
This tour was great not a lot of people and the guide knew a lot about the town. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hi Mandy... Thank you for your review. Yes, as we advertise, we present small group tours and yes, our passionate drivers know much about the City and area they live in. We are all proud of our passionate drivers. Thank you again - John
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