National Aquarium of New Zealand

Napier


Inside this modern complex with its stingray-inspired roof are piranhas, terrapins, eels, kiwi, tuatara and a whole lotta fish. Snorkellers can swim with sharks ($100), or sign up for a 'Little Penguin Close Encounter' ($70). The penguins get a feed at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, the reef fish at 10am and sharks at 2pm.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Napier attractions

1. Sunken Gardens

0.63 MILES

An interesting historic curio (1969) along Napier's waterfront promenade with tidy floral arrangements set into the ground below street level. A pretty…

2. Daily Telegraph Building

0.77 MILES

The Daily Telegraph is one of the stars of Napier's art-deco show, with superb zigzags, fountain shapes and a symmetrically patterned facade. If the front…

3. MTG Hawke’s Bay

0.8 MILES

The beating cultural heart of Napier is the smart-looking MTG – a gleaming-white museum-theatre-gallery space by the water. The MTG showcases live…

4. Marine Parade

0.83 MILES

Napier's elegant seaside avenue is lined with huge Norfolk Island pines, and dotted with motels and charming timber villas. Along its length are parks,…

5. Pania of the Reef

0.88 MILES

A bronze statue of the sea-dwelling Pania, whose tale is long and heartbreaking – ask a local to regale you with her story or read the statue's plaque.

6. Tom Parker Fountain

0.89 MILES

A 1936 art-deco fountain named after a local gentlemen's outfitter of the day. Best viewed at night when it's flamboyantly lit.

7. Napier Prison

1.17 MILES

On the run from the law? Assuage your guilt with a tour of the grim 1862 Napier Prison (the oldest in NZ) on the hill behind the town. There's a self…

8. Centennial Gardens

1.21 MILES

Whoa! A massive waterfall right in the middle of Napier! There may be an artificial pump system in play, but we don't mind – it's still an impressive…

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