MrsFychan

got the aquarium to do, obviously look at all the art deco buildings and shops in cbd, drop down to Hastings.

suggestions on museums, if any as the map we have been given doesn't seem to list any. family consisting of two adults, 13yr old girl and 9yr boy. here for 2.5 days before we head North

bearskin

There is a museum in Napier, but I've not been in. My absolute fave thing to do in Napier is get up to Mission Estate for lunch. They have tables outside on the lawn and the building itself is very picturesque and historical. Good view (it is up a hill).
Other than that I do like Te Awanga as well - at the coast past Havelock North. Nice walking beach with a lot of unusual flat stones and driftwood. And a couple of wineries too...

Snap Shot

We were on holiday in 2012 in Napier, our first holiday in NZ since arriving 12 months previously. We rented a self catering place that overlooked the airport. The land that popped up from the sea bed during the earthquake of 1931 can be clearly seen in the foreground.

The Aquarium is good in Napier. Go upstairs to see the kiwi enclosure behind glass too. The statue of Pania is with her arms outstretched to the sea is a reference to a legend. The currents are pretty dangerous so the sea is not great for swimming at the beaches in Napier.

Drive up Te Mata peak for a good view of the countryside. When you drive back down you will be in Havelock North. If you are pizza fans, you could eat at the pizza place. I can't remember the name of the place but the interior was painted pink.

There's a fairly English pub called the Rose and something too. We didn't go in as it was mid morning. We went to a nearby coffee shop instead.

We went to the Mission Vineyard and Church Road Vineyard, they are on the same road. We enjoyed them both, I don't know if your children will be particularly interested in what is really a factory tour. There's more history of the vineyard and how it developed from being a religious mission at Mission Vineyard.

Light lunch at Church Road vineyard is nice but not a great deal of choice. We had a nice evening meal at Mission Vineyard.

Tarradale was the nearest village to where we were staying. We had a curry one night and Thai the next night.

There are lots of vineyards as you drive around, not all open to the public. Fruit orchards too. You will probably see signs to, 'Silky Oaks' chocolate shop. Um, it's a chocolate shop.

The Filter room is a great pub that does tastings of cider. Old Church Restaurant and Bar was very nice too.

The Thirsty Whale is a pub on what passes for Napier's waterfront, there's other pubs and cafes there too. Nearby is the seafaring museum.

bourbon-biscuit

If you do one thing in hawke's bay, do the gannet tour. It is a perfect four hours and I can pretty much guarantee your kids will love it. Gannet Beach Adventures :: Hawkes Bay :: New Zealand
The pink pizza place in HN is Pipis, which is much more than a pizza place and very worth a visit.

bourbon-biscuit

Second the suggestion to go up te mata peak. I'd do gannets and the peak in one day - would be a great day.

mickey_d

If the weather is good, you have Splash Planet in Hastings.
Splash Planet - swimming pools, slides, rides, amusement park in Hastings, Hawke's Bay

Or Ocean Spa in Napier
Ocean Spa : Home

Te Mata peak is great, but can be horrible in the good weather we are having at the moment. Flies love it up there as we found out the other day

The "English" pub in Havelock is actually an Irish pub, The Rose & Shamrock, nice beer & meals!!

I would second the Gannet Tour

If you Drive up to Napier through Central Hawkes Bay, stop off in Waipawa & visit our Museum, well worth a visit. ( I work weekends there)
MUSEUM | CENTRAL HAWKES BAY SETTLERS
There are a few new shops & cafes here as well, becoming a busy little town just lately.

MrsFychan

brilliant Gannet Tours looks good so going to see if we can book that for tomorrow.

skybluestu

Go to the waterfall on the Maraetotara road on the way to Ocean Beach

Stormer999

That pic from Coventry ?

MrsFychan

Booked the gannet tour this morning and been really excited about it judt for them to cancel our booking 5mins ago. . So now have to plan something else

escapedtonz

Was there last weekend. Surprised some Wellington friends who went camping

Must do is Splashplanet in Hastings. Water is cold, but if the sun is shining it's fine......Take lot's of $2 coins! You'll understand when you've been. Every time you open a locker it swallows the $2 coin so you have to put another in to make it work again. Get the Superpass $28 each but means you can go on all rides and things free all day.

Aquarium is good albeit expensive for what it is.

Napier itself is beaut. The architecture amazing. It's a lovely city to walk round. Good shops, cafe's and restaurants. Go to Clive Square and see the bells ringing. Also good for a picnic if you wanna eat lunch on a budget. Usually a market on in the day at the weekend.

Restaurants wise go try out Off The Track in Havelock North. It really is awesome with a view of Te Mata peak and outdoor seating round the back. Really nice place and excellent food. They have a website. https://www.offthetrack.co.nz

MrsFychan

sorry I'm not really in to water parks but the Spa doesn't look to big or noisey. did Te Mata peak this afternoon, very pretty and some really nice houses, then drove up to Bluff Hill lookout which overlooks the port and DS loved watching the container ships being loaded and unloaded.

skybluestu

You can walk to the gannets if the kids are up for it, it's about 8k round trip from Clifton just check on the tides
Try the boating lake/ lagoon at Ahaheri and a cracking cove and beach at Waipartiki just nort of Napier

skybluestu

Aye Stomer the waterfall is just between Burton Green and Kenilworth you must remember it well lol

skybluestu

If you don't mind the drive go to Mangatutu Hot Springs

Kaweka Forest Park, Northwest of Napier

From the car park it is a stroll down a track with some steps taking only 2 to 3 minutes to 2 Fibreglass pools with beautifully warm water with a depth that comes to the neck when sitting on the bottom. The temperature is fixed to the stream from which the water is taken to feed the pools. Although a 75 to 90 minute drive from Napier without hurrying through some beautiful country, it is well worth the trip and time. Stunning even if it's raining as it's raining as it's in the forest and next to the river
There are some more hot pools about 30 minutes walk into the park along the track