The Honeymoon Guide to Napier

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Romantic Adventure Activities

Active couples, Napier is a spectacular city to adventure together thanks to its network of bike trails between wineries and its surrounding natural wonders like the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony and the Mohaka River. An unmissable adventure is seeing majestic seabirds nesting at the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony. While getting to the plateau gannet colony is free on a day walk at low tide, Gannet Safaris Overland can get you there with ease on either their small-group bus tour or private 4WD tour. At the gannet colony, watch gannets presenting seaweed to their mates, as well as chicks taking flight for the first time. Find out more about Gannet Safaris Overland on Viator or Tripadvisor.

A way to enjoy exploring Napier just the two of you is on a self-guided bike tour. Napier City Bike Hire & Tours (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) and Tākaro Trails Cycle Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor) hire out all the equipment you need for a great day out. You’ll be provided with a map and route instructions to visit Hawke’s Bay’s wineries at your own pace. More on the wineries in the section below!

Amp up the adventure to adrenaline adventure on a white water rafting tour on the Mohaka River. With no minimum numbers, couples can enjoy an epic experience rafting the Mohaka River, even if they’re the only rafters in the boat (including the guide, of course). The grade three trip with Mohaka Rafting is a scenic journey with stunning waterfalls tumbling over river canyons awash in fossils, as well as some exciting rapids but nothing too hairy. Alternatively, the grade four and five trip is one for real adventure seekers. See Mohaka Rafting’s range of tours on Viator and Tripadvisor.

For more activities, like romantic hikes, check out the 10 Romantic Activities in Napier for Couples.

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Romantic All-weather Activities

Don’t let any unfavourable weather put a damper on your honeymoon. Some of Napier’s top experiences for couples just happen to couple as rainy day activities. For instance, doing a tour of the Church Road Winery is a great way to excite the tastebuds in the romantic setting of a historic winery, vineyard and even a wine “cave” museum. With a glass in hand, you’ll tour the winery, tasting wine throughout its various stages of production and get an insight into the wine-making process. You’ll also learn about the history in the winery’s unique museum contained within old wine vats. The tour concludes with a guided wine tasting experience. Find out more about winery tours of the Church Road Winery on Viator and Tripadvisor.

For more variety in your Napier wine experience, join one of the local wine tours to do tastings at several cellar doors without having to worry about the driving. Tours such as Prinsy’s Tours (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor), Vines and Views Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor), Hawkes Bay Scenic Tour (on Viator and Tripadvisor), Bay Tours and Charters (on Viator and Tripadvisor) offer intimate small-group wine tours to set the right tone for a luxurious honeymoon experience. Tours include all of the tastings, as well as full transport with accommodation pick-up.

For more all-weather experiences, check out the 10 Things to Do in Napier on a Rainy Day.

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Romantic Restaurants in Napier

With winery restaurants and fine dining establishments, you don’t need to look too hard to find romantic dining in Napier. While we list some of our favourite fine dining restaurants in The Luxury Guide to Napier, some of the other restaurants that are ideal for couples include Three Doors Up (3 Waghorne Street). The European-inspired decor and attractive secluded alfresco courtyard provide a romantic setting for dining on international cuisine.

Bistronomy (40 Hastings Street) is a sophisticatedly modern restaurant with contemporary cuisine that is so creative that they also have to provide a “comfort menu” with more approachable options. Nevertheless, its an establishment chosen to impress.

A classic wine and dine restaurant that offers elegance and effortless romance, Wine Street (12 Browning Street) in The County Hotel is another top choice for couples. Enjoy fine dining paired with top wines from around the region.

For more recommendations, see The Foodie Guide to Napier.