This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Napier is a cute costal town surrounded by beautiful vineyards and agricultural land in Hawks Bay, New Zealand. You can reach Napier easily by car or bus from Taupo or Wellington and the small town of Hastings is close by as well. In Napier, you can watch the blue waves crash into shore as you stroll along the waterfront walkway and take in the scenery of Art Deco architectures throughout the city.
The waterfront is a perfect place for an picnic or an afternoon of people watching. Although it is a small town, there are plenty of cute cafes for a morning coffee and classy vintage pubs for a glass of wine. The thirties' style Art Deco architecture makes this town truly unique and also draws large crowds each year for the Art Deco Festival. Around February each year, you will see pristine vintage cars driving from all corners of the country to arrive in time for the weekend of festivities when everyone dresses in their best Art-Deco-era suits and dresses and strolls along the waterfront looking at old cars and enjoying picnics on the lawn. This is the best time to visit Napier as long as you don’t mind the crowds -- the weather is perfect and the ambiance is friendly and fun.
If you venture a little out of town, you will find amazing wines in the Hawks Bay region; an area specializing in chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah. You can also find beautiful quiet beaches nearby for a relaxing afternoon in the sun. This is a vibrant little town and there are great Napier hostels from which to choose. Most hostels in Napier are close to the ocean with plenty of shops, cafes, and groceries stores nearby. For a step back in time, beautiful beaches and amazing wines, Napier is the perfect destination.
Written by local expertz for Napier
Amanda Haehl
