The tour covers the scenic Marine Parade with seascape views of Cape Kidnappers, right into the elegant heart of Napier where you will get to marvel at some of the world’s most stunning examples of Art Deco architecture. From the town centre you will head over Bluff Hill; then on into Ahuriri, once the old port village, now a haven for summer tourists.
The standard tour for cruise ships is about 80 minutes to the tour drop off point in the city or 90 minutes dock to dock for those wanting to return to the ship, safely leaving ample freetime for independent shopping in town. By booking through the cruise ships shore excursions team the ship will wait for you should there be any delays.
The Hawke’s Bay Express is the first fully unrestricted road legal passenger road train in New Zealand, which allows the Express to drive directly into pedestrian-only zones where large, standard tour buses are restricted from entering.
The tour vehicle lowers down when boarding passengers so it is a single step of 200mm (8 inches) to board and every tour has at least two staff members purely there to help with any issues including wheelchairs and walkers or those who just need a bit of a hand. Please note the train can only accommodate non electric wheel chairs and passengers need to be able to move to a seat on board.
You will head out along the scenic Marine Parade with seascape views of Cape Kidnappers. Then, trundling through the city you will get to marvel at some of the world’s most stunning examples of Art Deco architecture. You will even be taken where no other tour bus can take you: right into the elegant heart of Napier, the main street which is otherwise largely a pedestrian zone. From the town centre you will head over Bluff Hill; then on into Ahuriri, once the old port village, now a haven for summer tourists.
The engaging commentary outlines the history of the 1931 earthquake and the city’s rebuilding and you will hear about many aspects of life in the region such as it’s workforce, industries, lifestyle and culture. Your short tour stop is at the Customs house with pictorial stories of the region over time. From here, the tour will continue through the vibrant bar & restaurant area and sailing port of Ahuriri, back towards Napier’s Marine Parade.
Select your cruise line below to be redirected to book your Hawke's Bay Express experience via your cruise line website.
Our tours are very popular, and cruise ships book all capacity for the period of time the ships are in port.
If your cruise line is not listed below, please look at your cruise companies shore excursion options or contact your shore excursion staff for availability.
The Hawkes Bay Express was amazing. Will and his father, Kit, built this beautiful train pulled by a tractor through the beautiful streets of Napier. It was very well made and decorated. Will gives a great narration. Lots of fun on a beautiful day.
Just got back on Ovation of the Seas and took this great tour. Amazing vehicles built By the owner. Will was entertaining and made the stop memorable. Definitely book this if you’re coming to Napier on a cruise. It’s an hour and a half leaving plenty of time to walk around afterwards
