Napier half-day tour: Sightseeing, wine and local tastings

See the Hawke's Bay region and taste what it grows in one morning or afternoon

A half-day minivan tour of the Napier region with a driver-guide, covering over 100 km of farmland, vineyards and landmarks, plus stops at a honey producer, boutique winery and fig farm for tastings and local product purchases. Pickup is included. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours and suits all fitness levels. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sightseeing and tasting tour highlights

• Guide describes area and river history
• Drive through TukiTuki valley and stop for photos
• Drive to top of landmark for panoramic views
• Visit bee hives and tasting experience
• Taste wines and cheese at boutique winery
• Taste fresh fig products at Te Mata Figs
• Drive through Napier and learn about earthquake

The experience

You start with a drive through the TukiTuki valley, where the guide points out orchards, vineyards and grazing animals across the bountiful farmland. The route then climbs to the top of a 399-meter landmark above Hawes Bay for panoramic views of the landscape: a stop built for photos. The guide provides context on the area and river history throughout, and you'll have time to stop for pictures along the way.

The tasting portion begins at a honey producer where you can see live bees working inside their hives through a viewing window, then move on to a boutique winery for wine tasting paired with locally made cheese. At Te Mata Figs, you sample fresh fig products and can buy coffee, ice cream or a light snack. The final leg drives through Napier itself, where the guide explains the 1931 earthquake that shaped the city's distinctive Art Deco architecture.

The minivan is air-conditioned and equipped with WiFi. Travel time is already counted in the 4- to 5-hour duration. The driver-guide speaks English and leads the whole route, so you're not navigating or timing stops yourself. Winery tastings carry a separate fee only if you drink, so non-drinkers don't pay for others' wine.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minivan.
• driver-guide in English.
• pickup and return from your accommodation.
• WiFi on board.
• tastings at the honey producer, winery and fig farm.
• cheese platter at the winery.
• access to the 399-meter landmark viewpoint and Napier's Art Deco streets.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteNZ$ 30

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by john

Is this one for you?Four to five hours leaves room for another activity or meal elsewhere in your day, so it suits a first afternoon in the region or a free morning before other plans. The fixed route and timing mean you don't arrange transport or plan stops yourself. The guide handles the pacing and commentary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What's the drive like if I'm not used to long car rides?

The tour covers over 100 km across farmland and coastal roads, but it is broken into segments with stops for photos, tastings and purchases, so you're not sitting for long stretches at once. The minivan is air-conditioned and the total time is 4 to 5 hours including all travel and stops.

Can I bring my five-year-old on this tour?

Children from age 5 are welcome. The tour suits all fitness levels and involves mostly riding and walking short distances at each stop, though the 399-meter landmark climb is steep and the pace is set by the group.

Do I have to buy wine or honey if I don't want to?

No. Tastings are included, but purchases are optional at every stop. The winery charges a tasting fee only to those who drink, so you can skip the cost entirely if you prefer not to participate in that part.

What happens at the honey producer? Do I just look, or can I taste?

You see the live bees in their hives through a viewing window up close, and you can taste and purchase honey and other local products. It's a working apiary, so the guide shows you how the bees operate while you're there.

Is pickup from my hotel included, or do I have to get to a meeting point?

Pickup is included in the tour price. The minivan collects you from your accommodation and returns you there at the end.

How much of the tour is driving versus time at each stop?

The 4- to 5-hour duration includes all driving and stops combined. You'll spend time at the valley viewpoint, the 399-meter landmark, the honey producer, the winery, the fig farm and Napier's Art Deco streets, with the guide providing commentary throughout the route.