Art Deco Napier Black Cab Tour: Private, customizable route

A London black cab navigates Napier's Art Deco streets and countryside in one vehicle.

A private tour of Napier in a classic London taxi seats up to five passengers and covers the city's Art Deco architecture, coastal landmarks like Atea a Rangi Celestial Star Compass, and surrounding countryside. The standard route runs 2.5 hours but can be extended or customized with stops at Mission Estate Winery, chocolate shops, scenic drives and photo points. Pickup from your accommodation is included, though food, drinks and tasting fees are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Napier and Surroundings

• Visit Atea a Rangi Celestial Star Compass
• View Mission Estate Winery from outside
• Sample chocolates, fudge, and gelato
• See Napier's Art Deco buildings
• Enjoy views from Napier Hill and city centre

The experience

The tour departs from your accommodation in a vintage London taxi: the kind with the red carpet and the space to actually move around. You'll see Napier's Art Deco buildings in the city centre and Ahuriri, including the National Tobacco building, then head out to Atea a Rangi Celestial Star Compass on the beach, where Māori carvings mark an ancient navigation method using the sun and stars. From there, views stretch across Hawkes Bay toward Cape Kidnappers and the rivers inland.

The standard 2.5-hour route is a starting point, not a fixed itinerary. You can add Mission Estate Winery (New Zealand's oldest, with gardens overlooking the city), though wine tastings require a separate booking and fee. A chocolate and fudge stop, scenic drives, extra photo breaks, or any other point of interest can be woven in. The driver adjusts timing and route to fit what you want to see and how long you want to spend.

Pickup is included from your hotel, restaurant, winery or airport. The taxi holds five passengers comfortably, though four is the recommended load. Children can travel in a pram or stroller, and infant seats are available. Food, drinks and any tasting fees come out of pocket, but the operator can arrange an all-inclusive package if you prefer pricing everything upfront.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a classic London taxi.
• pickup from your accommodation.
• stops at Atea a Rangi Celestial Star Compass, Napier's Art Deco buildings and city views from Napier Hill.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• the option to customize the route with additional stops at wineries, chocolate shops or scenic drives.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Deco City Discoverer

Is this one for you?The 2.5-hour standard tour fits a morning or afternoon without consuming your whole day, but you can extend it or add stops if you want to linger at wineries or scenic points: the timing stays flexible to your schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (under 5).

What is Atea a Rangi Celestial Star Compass?

Atea a Rangi is a Māori navigation compass on Napier's beach made of carved stone, marking how ancient navigators used the sun and stars to find their way. The site offers views across Hawkes Bay to Cape Kidnappers and the surrounding rivers.

Can I visit Mission Estate Winery on this tour?

Mission Estate Winery is on the route (you'll see the building and its gardens with city views), but wine tastings require a separate booking made by the tour operator, and tasting fees apply beyond the tour price.

How long does the standard tour take?

The standard tour runs 2.5 hours, but you can extend it or shorten it to fit your schedule, and extra stops for visits, photos or tastings can be added.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup is included from your accommodation, restaurant, winery or airport, and the driver will return you to the same location.

What Art Deco buildings will I see?

The tour covers Napier's Art Deco city centre and the Ahuriri area, including the National Tobacco building, and takes in views from Napier Hill overlooking the city's architecture.