Napier and Hawkes Bay tour in a restored 1970 VW Kombi

A 1970 Kombi is the only way to see Napier like this.

A scenic tour of Napier and Hawkes Bay in a fully restored 1970 VW Kombi, limited to six passengers for an intimate experience. The route follows the coastline into the Tuki Tuki valley, climbs Te Mata Peak for panoramic views, visits Arataki Honey Centre for tastings and live hives, and ends with Art Deco highlights in Napier city. The tour runs 3.5 to 4 hours and includes hotel or cruise ship pickup. Bottled water is provided, and the itinerary can be adjusted for cruise passengers with time constraints.

The experience

If you've landed in Napier for a port call or a free afternoon, a minibus full of strangers isn't the only option. This tour runs in a single restored 1970 VW Kombi (the only one doing tours in Napier) with room for just six passengers, which means you're not competing for the guide's attention or jostling for a window seat. The driver, Craig, knows the region and takes the coastal route into the Tuki Tuki valley, where the landscape shifts from seaside to rural farmland and river views. You stop for photos and rest breaks as the route unfolds, and the pace is built around actually seeing the place, not ticking boxes.

The itinerary climbs Te Mata Peak for views that stretch across the whole region, then descends to one of Hawkes Bay's main fruit and vegetable outlets where you can sample seasonal produce. From there, Arataki Honey Centre in Havelock North offers honey tastings, live hives to watch, and a deeper look at how the local honey is made. The tour finishes with Napier's Art Deco architecture, the city's defining landmark, with stops for photos and commentary on the buildings that survived the 1931 earthquake and were rebuilt in the style that defines the place today. Bottled water is included throughout. Coffee at the Red Bridge Container café and fruit ice cream are at your own expense.

Pickup is included from your hotel or cruise ship, and the itinerary can be shortened or rearranged if your departure time is tight. Children from age one are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized seat if you book one. The whole experience runs between 3.5 and 4 hours.

What’s included

• Hotel or cruise ship pickup.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• stops at Te Mata Peak, Arataki Honey Centre with honey tastings and live hives, a Hawkes Bay fruit and vegetable outlet, and Napier's Art Deco city highlights.
• photo stops and rest breaks along the route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years)

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 48 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by Avantogo Tours

Is this one for you?The Kombi's six-passenger limit and intimate format suit travelers who want to move at their own pace and actually talk to the guide, rather than sit in a larger group. If you're on a cruise ship with a tight turnaround, the flexible itinerary and included pickup mean you can fit the whole experience into a few hours without coordinating your own transport.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 4 years).

Can I book this tour if my cruise ship leaves in the afternoon?

Yes, the tour is designed with cruise passengers in mind, and the itinerary can be adjusted to fit your ship's departure time. Pickup from the port is included, so you don't need to arrange transport to the meeting point.

What is the Arataki Honey Centre, and what happens there?

Arataki Honey Centre in Havelock North is a working honey producer where you watch live hives and taste different honey varieties. It's a working operation, not just a shop, so you see how the honey is made and can sample the product.

What does the drive up Te Mata Peak involve?

Te Mata Peak is a scenic drive to the top of a hill overlooking the Hawkes Bay region. You stop at the summit for panoramic views across farmland and coast, then drive back down. It's not a hike. You stay in the Kombi.

How many people fit in the Kombi, and does that change the experience?

The Kombi seats a maximum of six passengers, which is why Craig keeps it exclusive to small groups. You get a personal tour rather than a crowded minibus experience, and everyone can hear the commentary and see out the windows without fighting for space.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Bottled water, pickup from your hotel or cruise ship, and all the stops and commentary are included. Coffee at the Red Bridge Container café and fruit ice cream are at your own expense, as are any purchases at the fruit outlet or honey centre.