Napier shore excursion: Art Deco city and countryside tour

Step onto the rear deck for fresh air and sweeping views of Napier’s Art Deco charm

A three-hour guided tour of Napier and the surrounding Hawke Bay countryside, departing from your cruise ship with a local driver and stopping at the Celestial Star Compass, Silky Oak Chocolate Company, and the Art Deco National Tobacco building. The route covers Marine Parade, the original port district, and the Art Deco suburb of Marewa, with photo stops and time to walk the city centre if the schedule allows.

Step-by-step itinerary

Napier city and countryside scenic tour

• Pick up from ship or Napier i-Site
• Travel Napier City and coast
• Visit Waitangi Regional Park
• Drive through Meeanee rural area
• Stop at Silky Oak Chocolate Company
• Pass Art Deco McDonalds in Taradale
• Photo stop at National Tobacco building
• Drive up Napier hill for views
• Pass Art Deco buildings in city
• Travel along Marine Parade with photo stops
• Visit Celestial Star Compass seaside park
• Drive through original Port area and Boat Harbour
• Drive through Marewa Art Deco suburb
• Final leg into Art Deco city centre
• Optional walk or visit cafes and pubs
• Return to ship via shuttle bus

What’s included

• Air-conditioned Art Deco bus with large windows and a rear viewing deck.
• local English-speaking driver.
• pickup from your ship or the Napier i-Site information centre.
• stops at Waitangi Regional Park with the Celestial Star Compass, Silky Oak Chocolate Company with café and gelato shop access, the Art Deco National Tobacco building for photos, and views from Napier Hill and the Marewa Art Deco suburb.

Times

• Monday 09:30 14:00
• Tuesday 10:00 13:30
• Wednesday 13:00 13:30
• Thursday 09:30

Before you book

Group Up to 28

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to 4h before

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

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Deco City Discoverer

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

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The experience

The bus leaves from your ship or the Napier i-Site information centre, depending on where your vessel docks. You travel through Napier City pointing out landmarks along the way, then head to Waitangi Regional Park on the coast overlooking Hawke Bay: the location of the Celestial Star Compass. From there the route turns inland through the rural orchards of Meeanee to reach Silky Oak Chocolate Company, a family business with a café, gift shop and homemade gelato. The driver stops at the ornate Art Deco National Tobacco building in Ahuriri, the original port district, for photos.

The tour climbs Napier Hill for views across the city and wider Hawke Bay, then moves into the Art Deco city centre itself. You pass through Marewa, the Art Deco suburb full of heritage homes, and if time permits, you can step off the bus for a walk around the centre to look at the buildings up close or visit a café or pub before returning to your ship via the shuttle. The vehicle has large windows and a rear viewing deck, so there are vantage points throughout the ride.

Top questions

Can children come?

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

How much time do I actually have to spend at each stop on the Napier tour?

The tour is three hours total, so time at each stop is brief: the Celestial Star Compass and Silky Oak are the main pauses, with photo stops at the National Tobacco building and views from Napier Hill. If time permits at the end, you can walk the Art Deco city centre before heading back to your ship.

What is the Silky Oak Chocolate Company and what can I do there?

Silky Oak is a family-run chocolate business in the orchards near Meeanee. The stop includes access to a café with hot and cold drinks, a gift shop, a pantry shop with homemade gelato ice cream, and restrooms.

Will the guide point out the Art Deco buildings, or is it just a drive past them?

The driver is a local with stories and information about Napier, and the route is designed to show you the Art Deco highlights: the city centre, the National Tobacco building (a photo stop where the driver can take your picture on the steps), and the homes in the Marewa suburb. The large windows and rear viewing deck give you good sightlines throughout.

What happens if my ship arrives late or I need to get back by a specific time?

The booking platform will message you with the exact pickup location and time based on your ship's arrival. The three-hour tour is timed to fit cruise schedules, and you return to your ship via the shuttle bus at the end.

Is there food included, or do I need to bring money for the café?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour price. The Silky Oak Chocolate Company has a café and gelato shop where you can purchase items during the stop, and there are cafés in the city centre if you have time to walk around at the end.