Napier and Hastings are
the twin cities which form the heart
of the Hawkes Bay region. Napier
is the slightly larger city, but both
have their unique characteristics and
attractions.
Strikingly situated on
the sweeping southwest shores Napier,
of Hawkes Bay, has a settled and
sunny The climate year-round.
city was largely destroyed by
a major earthquake in 1931 It was
rebuilt in the time – art deco
and prevalent styles of the Spanish
mission architecture in the The
distinctive central business district
major draw-cards, and is one of the
city’s it makes the city unique
in New Zealand. It has one of
the highest architecture in
concentrations of art deco the
Brebner Print world. Each
February the city holds the Art The
whole city gets into Deco
Weekend. the spirit of the
occasion, with people dressing
up in the 1920s roaming the flapper
style, vintage cars streets effort is
made and jazz playing in every
café. Every to ensure is like
that walking down the main
street stepping back in time.
On Napier’s Marine
Parade, you’ll find Marineland,
which gives visitors the opportunity
to get up close to marine animals
such as dolphins and penguins.
At Marineland you can experience a
demonstration of the abilities of
Marineland’s various resident
animals. If you want to get
closer to the action, you can take a
swim with the dolphins, have your
photo taken with a penguin, enjoy a
behind the scenes tour or feed a fur
seal. Because it’s so
popular over the summer months, they
recommend that you book for the more
limited attractions such as swimming
with the Dolphins and the behind the
scenes tour up to a month in
advance.
In keeping with the
marine theme, Napier is home to the
National Aquarium on New
Zealand. It is also known as Te
Whare Tangaroa o Aotearoa - the House
of the God of the Ocean of New
Zealand. This is due to
Napier’s strong connection with
the myths of Tangaroa (the Maori God
of the ocean) through the story of
Pania, one of Tangaroa’s
sea-dwellers, who appeared in Maori
legends closely linked with the
Napier area. You’ll find a
sculpture depicting her overlooking
the ocean on Marine Parade. In
the aquarium you’ll find a
fantastic array of marine life, from
sharks to crocodiles to seahorses, as
well as a kiwi enclosure. There
are also educational displays
demonstrating phenomena relating to
the ocean such the currents of the
seas and the cycle of water from the
mountains to the ocean.
Napier has a full range
of accommodation on offer, with
something to suit every budget, from
camping grounds to luxurious
lodges. If you want an
experience in keeping with the spirit
of the city, there are several places
which offer accommodation in art deco
surroundings. Waterfront dining
is a specialty in Napier, with a
range of dining experiences offered
overlooking the ocean.
Hastings
is 20 minutes drive south of
Napier. It is located slightly
inland, nestled on the fertile plains
of Hawkes Bay. Hastings is at
the centre of a abundant growing area
which produces a wide variety of
crops, but largely pip-fruit and
grapes. To celebrate this
bounty, Hastings holds an annual
blossom festival – a ten day
celebration heralding the beginning
of Spring, with parades, markets and
street carnivals.
Hastings’ Splash
Planet provides some exciting family
fun. It is a water theme-park
with indoor and outdoor pools and
hydroslides, bumper boats and a whole
lot of additional surprises in
store! It also has land-based
fun park rides such as mini-jeeps and
beach volleyball which are sure to be
a hit with the kids, while the adults
can lie back and relax on the gentle
currents of the river, sight-see on
the paddle steamer or have a snack at
the on-site café. Even the
littlies are catered for with a
special toddlers pool.
If you’re after
some more relaxing entertainment, try
the Hastings Art Trail. The art
community in Hastings is vibrant and
diverse, with many artists having
open studios where you can talk to
them while they work. You can
get details about the Art Trail at
the local Visitors Centre on the
corner of Russell and Heretaunga
Streets.
Being the centre of the
Hawkes Bay growing region, dining
out in Hastings is always and
exciting event. Tantalising
meals are cooked with the freshest
produce and accompanied by the finest
local wines. Whatever your
budget, you’ll find an excellent
dining experience to match it. Hawkes Bay
Links and Accommodation
Napier and Hastings are
the twin cities which form the heart
of the Hawkes Bay region. Napier
is the slightly larger city, but both
have their unique characteristics and
attractions.
On Napier’s Marine
Parade, you’ll find Marineland,
which gives visitors the opportunity
to get up close to marine animals
such as dolphins and penguins.
At Marineland you can experience a
demonstration of the abilities of
Marineland’s various resident
animals. If you want to get
closer to the action, you can take a
swim with the dolphins, have your
photo taken with a penguin, enjoy a
behind the scenes tour or feed a fur
seal. Because it’s so
popular over the summer months, they
recommend that you book for the more
limited attractions such as swimming
with the Dolphins and the behind the
scenes tour up to a month in
advance.
Hastings
is 20 minutes drive south of
Napier. It is located slightly
inland, nestled on the fertile plains
of Hawkes Bay. Hastings is at
the centre of a abundant growing area
which produces a wide variety of
crops, but largely pip-fruit and
grapes. To celebrate this
bounty, Hastings holds an annual
blossom festival – a ten day
celebration heralding the beginning
of Spring, with parades, markets and
street carnivals.
