INSIDE: The ULTIMATE List of Napier Attractions for Families and Kids.
Visiting Napier on holiday, and looking for the Ultimate List of Napier Attractions for Kids and Families? We have the goods.
This is our awesome collection of:
- 28 fun things to do in Napier, plus
- 7 more attractions in Hastings nearby, and
- another 5 attractions in Hawkes Bay too.
We started with a list of our Top 10 Napier attractions but we couldn’t stop, and then we had to add free things to do in Napier too.
The bucket list of Hawkes bay activities grew, and grew, and grew!
Napier, Hastings and the Hawke’s Bay Region is full to the brim of fun stuff for kids! It’s a dream New Zealand destination, with some of the warmest temperatures in New Zealand too.
This is the ULTIMATE guide to Napier attractions for families and kids.
Find all the details below.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.
Image credit: Anne & David via Flickr CC BY-1.0
THE INSIDE SCOOP: 39 Best Things to do in Napier for Families
Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome. Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD dollars, unless otherwise stated
Before you begin, our hot tip is to check out GrabOne or TreatMe to see if there are any current discount vouchers for any of these fun Napier attractions below.
(We also like First Table for discounts for dinner!)
28 BEST NAPIER ATTRACTIONS
No.1: Ocean Spa Napier
This family friendly pool complex is at the south end of Marine Parade.
Take the kids for a fun dip in the hot spas.
They have a lap pool if you fancy a bit of exercise, a large heated pool for swimming, and a heated toddler pool.
The place to be is the giant spa pool, or the circular hot tub spas with views over the ocean.
There’s the Bach Cafe on site for snacks and coffee, plus a complimentary steam room and sauna with admission fee.
Prices are:
- $10.70 for adults
- $9.50 students
- $8.00 for children 14 and under
- $2.50 for children 2 and under
- $5.70 for seniors, or
- $30 for family pass (2 A & 2 C, or 1 A & 3 C)
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Ocean Spa Marine Parade
Address:42 Marine Parade, Napier.
Telephone: 06 8358553
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 6am to 10pm. Sunday and Public holidays 8am to 10pm
Website: Click here
No.2: Napier Playground
This is a playground for ALL the kids, with separate areas for kids aged 2-7, and 7-12.
There’s a tonne of playground equipment we’ve not seen elsewhere.
Read our review here for a sneak peek, and lots of photos!
Take the kids! It’s one of the best Napier kids activities.
It’s FREE!
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Playground in Napier
Address:300 Marine Parade, Napier South 4110 New Zealand
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
No.3: The National Aquarium of New Zealand Napier
Ride a travelator for 50 metres inside an underwater viewing tunnel that takes you through the centre of the 1.5 million litre Oceanarium.
The Napier aquarium tank measures 24m long, 30m wide, and 3 metres deep, and is filled with:
- five types of sharks
- exotic reef fish
- catfish, and
- hundreds of local fish species
Fresh seawater is pumped directly into the aquarium’s tanks and enclosures so it’s eco-friendly too.
See New Zealand’s most precious species:
- the Kiwi bird
- Tuatara and
- penguins too
Penguins are fed at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm daily.
That’s not all.
The National Aquarium of New Zealand showcases:
- American alligators
- piranhas
- turtles
- eels
- octopus
- sea anemone, and
- deep sea fish.
Book in for a swim with the sharks, or an up close and personal encounter with kiwi birds, alligators or cute penguins.
Take a coffee break at the Fishbowl Cafe.
Don’t leave without the obligatory soft toy from the Treasure Chest gift shop. (We can’t ever!)
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Aquarium
Address:546 Marine Parade, Napier
Telephone:+64 6 834 1404
Email: [email protected]
Website: Click here
Opening hours:
- 9am to 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm.
- Allow 2 hours minimum.
- Open daily, except Christmas Day
Entry Fees: Click here for current price list.
Check the local magazines for Napier Aquarium discount tickets before you go.
No.4: BaySkate Skate Park
Bay Skate is a multi-use, world-class roller sports park on Napier’s Marine Parade.
There’s a mix of skateboarding, roller derby, BMX, scootering, inline hockey, roller-skating, artistic skating, and rollerblading.
The park has a flat rink, wooden ramp section and concrete bowls.
Meet the locals at BaySkate.
Entry fee is $6 per person.
Free for kids under 3 and spectators.
Equipment hire is $10 per item but this includes free protective wear and helmet hire too.
Their motto?
If it’s got wheels and you can strap them on or ride it, you’re in.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Skate Bowl
Address:290 Marine Parade South, Napier
Telephone:+64 6 833 6645
Opening hours: Click here for current days and times. Weather dependent.
Website:Click here for upcoming events
No.5: Napier Sound Shell
Napier’s Sound Shell is a popular Napier entertainment venue for concerts and events, including:
- Jazz and Blues summer concerts in the afternoon and evening
- Christmas concerts, and
- fabulous Art Deco style galas.
Located next to the Napier i-Site Visitor Centre, the stage was built in 1931 during the rebuilding of the city after the earthquake
It’s yet another piece of Art Deco history in Napier, and a must visit sightseeing in Napier spot.
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
Address:70 Marine Parade, Napier.
Website:Click here for upcoming events and ticket sales
No.6: Pania of the Reef Statue
This statue is believed to be the first Maori legend made into a sculpture.
She’s Napier’s very own Little Mermaid.
Read all about her story here.
Entry is free.
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
Address: Pania of the Reef sculpture can be found to the left of the Napier Sound Shell as you face the ocean, on Marine Parade, Napier South.
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
No.7: The Floral Clock and Sunken Gardens Napier
Walk along Marine Parade in Napier and you’ll find the Sunken Gardens to the right of the Napier iSITE.
The sunken gardens were built in the 1960’s.
Enjoy a picnic in Napier, surrounded by elegant surrounds of stone walls, flowers, shrubbery, and a pond too.
The Flower Clock is to the left of the Soundshell.
The clock operates from 6.30am to 6.30pm, then kicks off again the next morning!
It’s something to show the kids.
Entry is free.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Floral Clock Napier
Address:Marine Parade, Napier
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
No.8: Marine Parade Ocean Viewing Platform
Take a little walk beyond the breakers on this stormwater outfall and viewing platform on the Marine Parade Reserve.
Check out views of Hawke Bay and back to the city.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Ocean Platform Napier
Address: Marine Parade, located close to the Marine Parade & Tennyson Street intersection, and directly east of the new Museum and Art Gallery Wing.
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
No.9: Par2 Mini Golf
Choose from one of two super fun mini golf courses at Par2 Mini Golf.
Deco Drive mini golf course is all roundabout curves, long greens, art deco features, and coastal native gardens with views of Cape Kidnappers to the right, and the Pacific Ocean in front of you.
Pro Am mini golf course is coloured blue.
It’s a wacky quirky course with:
- right-angles
- diagonals
- water hazards and
- tree obstacles.
The kids will love the challenge.
Prices start from $7.40 for kids up to 14, $10.50 for adults, and $29 for a family of four for one 18-hole game.
It’s a bargain morning out!
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Putt Putt Napier
Address: Adjacent to Napier’s iSite Visitor Centre and the Soundshell on Marine Parade
Telephone:+64 6 834 0248
Opening hours: Open daily from 9.30-4.30. Weather dependent.
Website: Click here.
No. 10 Marine Parade Bike Path & Napier City Bike Hire
There’s a wide concrete cycleway that runs for kilometres along Marine Parade in Napier from Bluff Hill to Awatoto, heading south towards Cape Kidnappers.
It’s perfect for bikes, but also walkers, joggers, cyclists, baby buggies, roller bladers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and it’s free to ride.
If you are in Napier without bikes, hire one from Napier City Bike Hire.
They have:
- pretty green bikes
- handsome black bikes
- bicycles built for two
- bikes for kids in four sizes, and
- bike attachments (chariot, bike seat, trailer) to carry babies and toddlers.
There’s no excuse – they even have electric bikes if you are beyond pedalling!
Napier is one of the most bike friendly towns we’ve come across.
It’s the ultimate place to ride, with the Cycle Pump Track at one end of Marine Parade less than 10 minutes from town, and a Junior bike track for kids near the Napier Playground.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Cycleway
Address:Cycleway goes along Marine Parade. Napier city bike hire is located at 117 Marine Parade, Napier.
Telephone:0800 245 344
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: Season dependent. Warmer months, Mon – Sun 9am – 5pm. Please check with shop.
Website:Click here
Napier City bike hire prices: Click here
Image credit: Shamon Khan
No.11: Junior Bike Track Napier
To the right of the Napier Marine Parade Playground, you’ll find this cute Junior Bike track with stop and go signs, traffic lights, give way signs and more.
It’s designed to teach kids basic road safety and road rules in a fun way.
It’s completely fenced, self-closing safety gates and has a separate track for toddlers under 3.
Top of the free Napier family attractions if you have access to bikes and scooters.
THE INSIDE SCOOP:
Address:300 Marine Parade, Napier South 4110 New Zealand
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Entry Fees: FREE!
No.12: Napier City Cycle Pump Track
Napier’s bike pump track, located south of the carpark, opposite the Ellison Street entrance, is the first of its kind in New Zealand.
There’s 500 metres of continuous tracks, covering an area 60 metres long by 30 metres wide.
The basic goal of a pump track is for a rider to learn how to pump the terrain to maintain speed.
Pump tracks have a series of rollers and berms that allow the rider to gain and maintain speed along the track without pedalling.
This full size pump track caters for a wide range of skills, abilities, and ages, and can be used by keen skateboarders and scooter riders too.
There’s covered seating and a toilet block.
One of the best things to do in Napier for FREE!
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Pump Track Napier
Address:The Napier City Cycle Pump track at the corner of State Highway 2 and Ellison Road, just before the State Highway becomes Marine Parade.
Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
Entry Fees: FREE
Website: Click here
No.13: Napier i-SITE Tourist Information Centre
Call in to the Napier i-SITE tourist visitor information centre to ask locals about:
- the best places to eat in Napier
- best shopping in Napier
- where to take the best photos in Napier, and
- all the local’s Napier secrets.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: i-Site Napier tourist information kiosk
Address:100 Marine Parade, Napier South, Napier 4110
Opening hours: Open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm
Website:Click here
Image credit: Speggle 22 via Wikipedia CC BY SA 3.0
No.14: MTG Museum Theatre Gallery
MTG (which is short for Museum, Theatre, Gallery) is Hawke’s Bay’s home of arts and culture.
Plus it has the best Gallery shop in town! (Hello local jewellery, vintage posters, and unique books)
The MTG is located across the road from the Napier i-SITE at the roundabout.
There is a permanent exhibition of the history of the 1931 earthquake:
- see fascinating historical objects
- stroll through archives, and
- watch a short documentary sharing the stories of how this disaster impacted the local town, the people and the landscape.
Visiting during school holidays?
The MTG hosts special school holiday events for children including:
- print making
- painting, and
- technology workshops.
Check the website below for details of these Napier tourist attractions.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Museum Theatre Gallery Napier
Address:MTG Hawke’s Bay Museum, Tai Ahuriri, 1 Tennyson Street, Napier 4110
Telephone:(06) 835 7781
Opening hours: 10am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday
Entry fees: Free
Website:Check out the upcoming exhibitions and events at MTG here
No.15: The Faraday Centre, Hawke’s Bay’s Museum of Technology
The Faraday Centre is Napier’s very own Museum of Technology, where history comes alive over two storeys.
It’s hands-on, and kids are encouraged to touch, hold items, pull levels, and interact with exhibits as they discover the world of yesteryear
Play in and amongst themed exhibitions including home applicances, transportation, communication, energy, shops and services, and motors and engines.
Hot tip: Check out the old school hair-drying salons!
One of the best Napier indoor activities for kids.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: The Faraday Centre Napier for Kids
Address: 2a Faraday Street, Napier (off Carlyle Street)
Telephone:+64 6 835 2338
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am to 1pm. Saturday 9am to 11.30am.
Entry fees: $9 for adults, $2.50 for children under 15
Website: Click here
No.16: Bluff Hill Domain Lookout & View of Napier Port
The Bluff Hill Lookout is a must do in Napier on a sunny day.
As well as a prime spot for an epic view, there’s war history here too. Be prepared for a windy drive up!
Click here for directions, and more information.
Hot tip: If you like walking, do make sure you do the Te Mata peak walk. It’s LOVED by locals.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Lookout Hill
Address:50 Lighthouse Road Napier
Telephone:+64 6 835 7579
Opening hours: 7am to 9pm
No.17: Art Deco Napier
New Zealand’s Napier was destroyed by earthquake in February 1931 but the people were not deterred.
Napier was rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the time in two years flat.
These 1930s buildings include Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical styles.
Napier is now home to one of the best collections of Art Deco architecture in the world.
The Art Deco Trust runs a number of fun Art Deco events throughout the year, including the world famous Napier Art Deco Festival held annually in February.
Dress up and join in the fun!
Explore Napier’s architecture by joining a Guided Walk – your guide might just be in costume!
Walking tour prices start from $15.70 US per person. (Click here for details)
Best Art Deco Napier Tours
Or take a two hour Vintage Car tour, or a Vintage bus tour of the sights too.
You’ll see:
- the National Tobacco Company Building
- the Daily Telegraph Building
- Napier Antique Centre
- Hotel Central
- the State Cinema, and
- Gaiety Deluxe Cinema.
Learn more about the intricacies of the Art Deco style, and the meanings behind some of Art Deco motifs including sunbursts, fountains, geometric shapes, icons from ancient cultures, and symbols of speed and flight.
There’s also a Napier Earthquake Walk if you want to learn more.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Art Deco City New Zealand
Address:The Art Deco Shop is located on the corner of Herschell Street and Tennyson Street at 7 Tennyson St, Napier, New Zealand.
Opening hours: Open every day except Christmas day from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Website: Click here
No.18: Trainworld Napier Tourist Attractions
Kids can putt once-round on BROOKIE, the indoor ride-on train, just for the little people.
Check out Lilliput, Napier’s 60+yr old model railway, plus there’s a bunch of model train sets to view including:
- “A Journey through Britain”, one of NZ’s largest ‘OO’ scale model railways, and
- Trainworld’s Carnival featuring a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round.
The highlight for kids is the interactive Thomas the Tank engine and friends set up (hot tip: look up!) and another railway set up where kids can push buttons to watch trains go around.
Napier Trainworld is up there among the best things to do in Napier with toddlers.
For those who love trains, the Hobby Train shop attached is full of train-related paraphernalia and models to buy.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Trainworld
Address:88 Dickens St, Napier 4110, New Zealand
Telephone:+64 6-835 8045
Website: Click here
Opening hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm. Open every day over the school holidays.
Entry fees:
- $10 adults
- $5 for children under 14.
- Family concession $25 – for 2 adults and up to 3 children under 14 yrs.
- Children under 14yrs must be accompanied by an adult.
- Children under 2yrs free.
(Our tip: Send one adult in to supervise, and save the extra dollars for coffee when you come out)
No.19: Napier Urban Farmers Market
Start your day with a freshly roasted coffee, and breakfast of pastry delights at the Napier Urban Farmers Market.
It’s the place to meet the locals, and discover all the foodie treats from the Hawke’s Bay region including:
- fresh fruit and vegetables
- meat
- eggs
- preserves
- baked goods, and more.
Taste, touch, and smell the produce.
Talk to the growers and makers.
And pack some Kiwi treats to take home for gifts and souvenirs.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Farmers Market
Address: Clive Square, Napier
Opening hours: Saturday, 9am to 1pm
Entry fees: Free
Website:Click here
No.20: Napier Botanical Gardens
Take kids to visit the ducks at the duck ponds, see the pigeon roosts, and check out the budgie aviaries.
There’s a pretty stream and a waterfall, lots of open space for a run around among the trees and flower beds, and shaded spots for a picnic.
The sweetest thing is a stone curved bridge not unlike a bridge you’d see in Anne of Green Gables!
The 18-acre Botanic gardens were established in 1855 and are next to the old cemetery. Be warned. Some of the pathways and gardens are on an incline and require puff.
The Napier Botanical Gardens hosts events too, including:
- Carols by Candlelight
- Botanic Beats and
- Free Summer Concerts.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Botanic Gardens
Address: 19 Spencer Road, Hospital Hill, Napier
Opening hours: 24 hours
Parking: Ample roadside parking is available at the top entrance to the Botanical Gardens on Napier Terrace. There is also a small car park, with disabled parking, at the lower Spencer Road entrance.
Website: Click here for upcoming events
No.21: Napier Prison
Take a tour of Napier prison and wander the cells at your own pace with an audio wand and map. (It’s available in 13 languages!)
This is definitely one of the best Napier tourist attractions for teens.
Napier Prison is the place in Napier to hear about the day-to-day workings of New Zealand’s oldest prison (harking back to 1862!), and the stories of villains, victims and heroes.
View the old quarry where the inmates used to work their hard days’ labour to build the walls that would keep them imprisoned.
Get locked up in solitary confinement or a padded cell before stepping into the hanging yard and walking past the graveyard and gallows.
Take a look at the Earthquake room.
If you are lucky, the Napier Prison resident ghost cat, Basil, may even make an appearance!
Kids will love taking their MUG SHOT! and you can have your fingerprints stamped as a souvenir to take home.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Tourist Attractions – Napier Prison
Address:The historic prison is located on Napier’s Bluff Hill at 55 Coote Rd overlooking the Pacific Ocean and beautiful Centennial Gardens. Napier Prison is just a few minutes walk to the town centre and Marine Parade
Email: [email protected] (The best email address we’ve ever seen!)
Telephone: + 64 68359933
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm daily
Entry fees: Adults $20, Children 12 and under $10, Family pass (2A & 2C) $50, Family Pass (2A & 3C) $60
Website: Click here (Book a self guided audio tour)
No.22: Laserforce Napier
Laserforce is Napier’s fast-moving live-action laser tag game.
Players target and hide in a giant playing arena over two levels, wearing fancy hi-tech vests.
Those who tag along can enjoy coffee in the cafe.
There’s free wifi too.
Visit during school holidays for great savings deals.
Directions from Napier i-Site:
- Head down Marine Parade (SH2 Pacific Highway) South towards Hastings.
- After about 800 metres you pass the Napier children’s playground on the left.
- Take the next right down Sale Street.
- Laserforce is 250 metres down on the right hand side, just over the railway line.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Laserforce Game
Address: Corner Wellesley Road & Latham Street, (or 140 Wellesley Road) Napier 4110, Hawke’s Bay. Laserforce in the large blue building at the junction of Latham Street, Wellesley Road and Sale Street in Napier – about ten minutes walk or three minutes drive from the centre of town.
Telephone:(06) 835 1111
Opening hours:
- Laserforce is open seven days a week and all public holidays except for Christmas Day.
- Laserforce is open from 10am, 7 days a week during all school holidays, and from 4pm during school terms.
- It closes at 9pm on Monday to Saturday, and 5pm on Sunday.
Entry fees:
- ONE GAME: $18 for kids aged 15 and under, or $11 for adults over 16.
- THREE GAMES: $19 for kids aged 15 and under, or $28 for adults over 16. $33 for family of 2A and 2C per game
Website: Click here (Advanced bookings recommended, especially on weekends)
No.23: Silky Oak Chocolates Museum
Come for the handcrafted chocolates.
Stay for the chocolate museum!
Covering 3,000 years of chocolate history, the Silky Oak Chocolate Museum tells the fascinating story of chocolate with:
- colourfully illustrated texts
- life sized tableaux, and
- a huge collection of chocolate paraphernalia, including a 2,500 year old Mayan Chocolate pot.
You can also watch chocolates being made on site.
Don’t leave without trying some of the delicious chocolate treats on offer in the cafe.
Dare you to try the famous Extreme Chocolate drink, served with or without chilli.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Chocolate Museum
Address: The Silky Oak Chocolate Co Ltd. 1131 Links Rd, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Telephone:+64 6 845 0908
Opening hours:
- The entire complex opens at 9am weekdays and 10am weekends.
- Last entry to the Chocolate Museum in Napier is 3.30pm.
- The Chocolate shop closes at 5pm Monday to Thursday, 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and most public holidays.
- Café closes at 4pm each day, and is not open on public holidays.
- The museum is open most public holidays.
Entry fees: Check with attraction
Website: Click here
No.24: Creative Arts Napier
Visit Creative Arts Napier (CAN) in the beautifully modernised and historic former Borough Council Building.
Check out the current exhibitions here, along with family-friendly events.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Community Arts Centre Napier
Address:16 Byron St, Napier 4110, New Zealand. Behind Te Pania hotel.
Telephone:06 835 9448
Opening hours:
- Monday to Saturday 10 – 4pm
- Sunday 10 – 2pm
Entry fees: Free
Website: Click here
No.25: Nevaria Lavender Farm
Visit this delightful lavender farm during season and you won’t want to ever leave.
The scent is divine!
Families with children are welcome.
Stop by the shop for lavender products (including soaps, shampoos & conditioner, lavender oil, room scent sprays) free range eggs, soaps and more.
Devonshire Teas available by appointment.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Lavender Farm
Address: 59E Hatas Lane, Waiohiki 4183, New Zealand
Telephone: 06 844 0078
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm
Entry fees: Free
Image credit: Napier Library for kids
No.26: Visit a local library in Hawke’s Bay
Local libraries are great places to visit with kids on rainy days or when they are hosting school holiday events for kids.
There’s regular Baby Bounce, Story Time, Minecraft activities and LEGO sessions.
Check out Napier and Taradale Library events here.
Check out Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere library events here.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Library
Address:1 Tennyson Street, Napier South, Napier 4110, New Zealand
Telephone:+6468344180
Opening hours: 9.30am to 5pm
Entry fees: Free
No.27: Check out Napier Events
Click here to find all the current events happening in Napier.
Click here for current events in Hawkes Bay region
No.28: Chipmunks Napier
Unfortunately, there is no Chipmunks play centre in Napier.
Click here to find North Island locations.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN HASTINGS FOR FAMILIES
No.1: Splash Planet Hastings
Do not visit Hawke’s Bay without stopping by Splash Planet.
This waterpark/fun theme park has a unique selection of rides for kids of all ages, and adults.
There’s:
- waterslides
- a never-ending river
- bumper boats
- indoor heated pools
- a toddler water playground, and
- an inflatables obstacle course.
If you prefer to stay dry, there’s a train, fun go karts, jungle jeeps, mini golf, beach volleyball, a flying fox, and Tiny Town for the under 7’s with miniature toy cars to drive around a whimsical city of buildings.
BYO picnic, hire one of their BBQ’s for $25 per day, or buy food and drinks from one of their three onsite cafes – Fuel Shed, Coffee Bean Cove or The Train Kiosk.
Choose from:
- yummy sandwiches
- American hotdogs
- rolled ice cream
- pies
- churro and donuts
- burgers
- chicken and chips
- pizzas
- Freshly roasted coffee served fresh daily
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Splash Planet Hawkes Bay
Address:1001 Grove Road, Hastings, New Zealand.
Telephone:Call 0508 SPLASH or 06 873 8033
Opening hours:
- 10am – 5.30pm 7 days a week during summer season (mid November to mid February)
- 10am – 5.30pm weekends only from mid February to end March
- Closed Christmas Day
Entry fees:
Website: Click here. Like their FB page for updates and special events.
No.2: Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo
Hawke’s Bay only attraction where kids can meet animals including pigs, sheep, calves, ostriches, alpacas, turtles, peacocks and many more.
Visit during Springtime to see baby animals being born.
Kids can hand feed baby lambs, baby pigs, guinea pigs and rabbits and feed the bigger animals with grain.
There’s train rides on the Farmyard Express Train for $4.00 per person, pony rides for anyone 2 years and up, and horse rides for the big kids and adults.
Hawke’s Bay Farmyard Zoo has a playground too! Stay a while – bring a BYO picnic or cook a BBQ and eat under one of the sheltered picnic tables.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Hawkes Bay Farm Animals
Address:Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo, 32 East Road, Haumoana, R.D.10, Hastings 4180
Telephone:06 8750244. Call Cliff on 0272500720 or Dyan LeComte on 0273380803
Website:Click here
Opening hours: Open 10am -5pm, 7 Days. Stay for at least 2 hours.
Entry fees:
- Adults $10.00
- Children $7.00 (up to 16yrs)
- Under 1 year old FREE
- Senior/students $8.00
- Family (2 Adults+3 Children) $35.
- Animal food $1.00
- Pony Rides $5.00
- Train Rides $4.00.
Pay by cash, Eftpos, or credit card
No.3: Hawkes Bay Farmers Market, Hastings (20km from Napier)
Missed the market on Saturday?
Try this one on Sunday.
The Hawkes Bay Farmers Market is filled with delicious treats for breakfast, brunch or an early lunch.
Located at the showgrounds, it’s well suited to kids who need a bit of a run around in the sun away from traffic and busy streets, among the trees.
There’s live music by buskers, and a dedicated kids area too!
Shop for delicious pantry items, fresh fruit and veg, cheeses, olive oils, breads, meat, fish, wine, beer and cider, sweet treats, wood-fired pizzas and so much more.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Farmers Market Hastings
Address:Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds, Kenilworth Road, Hastings
Opening hours: Every Sunday, 8.30am to 12.30pm
Website: Click here
No.4: Funky Farm Hastings
Located in Hawkes Bay, the Funky Farm Napier is a petting zoo, made especially for the little ones – from the young to the young at heart.
Funky Farm has a great picnic area (away from the animals), a toy library, a fully featured playground with swings, slide and in-ground trampoline.
They have a little kiosk with fresh Barista-made coffee, tea, hot chocolates, fluffy’s, snacks and juice box bar, and an inside play & lounge area.
You can BYO picnic too.
Public toilets available on site (disabled, adult and child sized toilets)
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Funky Farm Hawkes Bay
Address:236 State Highway 2, Mangateretere (Right next to Golflands and No.5 Cafe Larder). There’s an off road car park area.
Telephone:06 878 2353
Opening hours: Wed to Sun 10.00am till 3.00pm. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Entry fees:
- Adults $9
- Children 1 yr and over $7
- Children under 1 are FREE.
- Senior Citizens $8.
- Bags of Maize $1.00
Website: Click here
No.5: Flip Out Hawkes Bay
Rainy day while you are in town?
Grab the kids and head straight to the Flip Out Trampoline Park in Hastings.
There’s wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits and much more to explore.
Wear them out with mad trampoline time. (You’ll be glad you did!)
If you are visiting out of school holiday time, Toddler Time is the perfect opportunity to let your little one bounce for one hour at a discounted price.
- Mon/Fri 10am-3pm (last session starts at 2pm)
- Tues/Weds/Thurs: 12pm-3pm (last session starts at 2pm)
- Cost is $6 for Under 5’s.
Alternatively, join in the kindy kids time in an exclusive session for yourselves and your children to let loose for two hours from 10am to 12pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday during school terms only.
Parents and caregivers free, children $7
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Flip Out Hastings
Address:405 St Aubyn St E, Hastings, 4122, New Zealand
Telephone:(06) 6500 221
Opening hours:
- Monday–Thursday: 10am–8pm
- Friday: 10am-10pm
- Saturday: 9am – 9pm
- Sunday: 9am-6pm
Entry fees: $16 for one hour standard jumping or $26 for two hours. All ages.
Website:Click here
No.6: Clifton Station Wool World
Close to the end of Clifton Road on the Cape Kidnappers headland, you’ll find Clifton Station Wool World.
Most often accessed as part of a Napier Port excursion tour, this is a working farm with:
- demonstrations of sheep dogs in action rounding up the sheep
- sheep shearing
- wool classing, and
- a chance to learn the history of wool in Hawke’s Bay, while sitting on benches inside a big original 1890’s wool shed.
The commentary is as humorous as it is enlightening, and fun for kids.
Meet the friendly pig, and check out the too shed full of century-old sheep farm implements.
Visiting Wool World at Clifton Station is a unique New Zealand experience for the family.
Stop by the Clifton Cafe on your way home for snacks and drinks.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Clifton Wool World
Address:459 Clifton Rd, Te Awanga Hastings, Clifton, Hastings 4172, New Zealand
Telephone:+64 6-875 0611
Opening hours: Call to book, or take your chances with a scenic drive and call in.
Entry fees: NZ $5 museum; NZ $20 show (subject to change)
No.7: Rush Munros Ice Cream Garden in Hastings
Stop by for one of their famous ice creams!
Or try churros, or banana split, or a sundae.
The choice is endless, and so are the flavours.
Sit for a while in Rush Munro’s elegant country garden with fishpond outside or head indoors to covered seating if the weather’s a bit so-so.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Rush Munros Hastings
Address:704 Heretaunga Street, West Hastings
Telephone:06 878 9634
Opening hours: 11am to 6pm Monday to Friday. 11am to 6.30pm weekends.
Website:Click here
MORE THINGS TO DO IN HAWKES BAY (just outside of Napier)
There are more things to do in Hawkes Bay with kids.
Here’s a few of our favourites below.
No.1: Arataki Honey Visitor Centre
Kids can dress up as a beekeeper and see the world through the eyes of a bee at Arataki Honey Visitor Centre.
It’s the place to discover all there is to know about honey, and meet the bees that make it, from behind the safety of glass!
Arataki Visitor Centre teaches kids about the honey bee, how they live, their role in the food chain and the wonderful products they produce.
Take a tour, taste test 10 distinct and delicious varieties of Arataki Honey, gathered from New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna honey for yourself, and find gifts and souvenirs for friends in their gift shop.
They stock honey (of course), beeswax candles, and a variety of honey-based health and beauty products including ranges from:
- Wild Ferns
- Apicare
- The Honey Collection
- Banks & Co.
- The Aromatherapy Company
- The Great Barrier Island Bee Company, and
- Comvita.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Arataki Visitor Centre
Address:Arataki Honey Visitor Centre, 66 Arataki Road, Havelock North
Telephone:06 877 7300
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: 7 days, from 9am to 5pm
Entry fees: Free
Website: Click here
No.2: British Car Museum Napier
Believed to be the largest collection of British cars anywhere in the world, the British Car Museum in sunny Te Awanga represents a lifetime’s passion.
It is the personal and eclectic collection of Ian Hope.
Ian has amassed over 450 cars and commercial vehicles (Austin, Bedford, Commer, Ford, Hillman, Jaguar, Morris, Riley, Standard, Vauxhall and many more) with over 38 Morris Minors alone!
The British Car Museum is located en route to Cape Kidnappers, just minutes from the Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo and Elephant Hill Winery.
- Address:
- Phone:
- Website:
- Opening hours: .
- Entry fees:
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Napier Car Museum
Address: 3 East Road, Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay. Ample free parking is available outside the museum within a few feet of the entrance door.
Telephone: 06 875 0561. Mobile 027 231 3916
Opening hours:
- Weekends – 9:00 am to 4pm.
- Weekdays – please call Ian before travelling – open most weekdays
Entry fees:
- Adults: $10
- Under 13: $3
- EFTPOS accepted.
Website: Click here
Image credit: Gannet Beach Adventures
No.3: Gannet Safaris
Gannet Beach Adventures provides a 4 hour mild eco-friendly adventure, travelling along the majestically rugged coastline from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers.
Departing on the days’ low tide, visitors travel by iconic vintage tractor and trailer along the majestically rugged coastline to Cape Kidnappers’ and the largest mainland nesting site of gannets in the world!
Gannet Beach adventures allow you to get up close to majestic gannets in their natural habitat.
Gannets are large sea birds, with defined markings, golden colour, and elegant flight.
A diving gannet is a sight to see – they can hit the water at speeds of over 100km/hr!
You’ll also view ancient earthquake fault lines & fossils, see gullies formed by wind and water, and discover how nature has shaped and formed the towering cliffs of the Cape Kidnappers coastline.
Depending on the time of the season (September to March), visitors can witness new-born chicks (around November), through to 4-month old gannets preparing for their first ever flight, which will take them all the way to Australian waters.
Bring warm clothing, and wet weather gear if necessary, hats, sunscreen, snacks, water bottles, your camera, and wear sensible walking shoes.
Call +64 6 875 0898 to book.
Cape Kidnappers history
Cape Kidnappers gets its name from an incident in 1769 when local Maori kidnapped a crew member off Captain Cook’s ship The Endeavour.
THE INSIDE SCOOP: Cape Kidnappers Gannet Tour with Get your Guide
Check latest prices here (Book tours ahead of time here)
This three hour tour travels in an air-conditioned 4 x 4 coach
No.4: Visit these Family Restaurants in Hastings & Hawkes Bay
Looking for Family restaurants in Napier?
Check out these restaurants:
No.1: The Londoner
Try this family friendly restaurant in Napier.
The Londoner has all your English favourites including sausages and mash, steak and kidney pie, “buttie” baskets, Ploughmans, and traditional Sunday Roasts.
Click here for the dinner menu.
There’s also a kids menu.
Address: Located at 246 Gloucester St, Taradale.
Telephone: 068445744
No.2: Breakers Family Restaurants
Families LOVE Breakers Family Restaurants.
There’s three in Hawkes Bay:
- Napier
- Taradale
- Hastings.
They have kids menus, and a Kids Club with colouring in books and prizes to be won.
It’s not fine dining, and can be noisy, but fun for kids and tolerant parents!
No.5: Visit a Family Friendly Winery in Hawke’s Bay
Looking for a family friendly winery in Hawke’s Bay where you can take the kids?
Try one of these.
- Clearview Estate Winery in the Te Awanga area of Hawkes Bay – they have a cafe and a super fun kids playground.
- Ngatawara in Hawkes Bay has an excellent outdoor area where kids can play.
- Church Road Winery has a large grassed area for kids to run around and a children’s menu.
Children are welcome at almost all NZ wineries.
Looking for More Things to Do in New Zealand for Kids?
Click the blue links below for more ideas.
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Ride the 1940’s War Vehicle DUCK BOAT around Rotorua
-
RAILCRUISING in Rotorua is the Most Unique Railway Ride You Can Do Anywhere in the World!
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See the GLOWWORMS on this fun Waitomo Cave Tour. There’s a surprise ending!
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Find out why McDonalds Family Restaurant in Taupo is the WORLD’S COOLEST MCDONALD’S!