Hawkes Bay Express

OVERVIEW

Take in the sights of downtown Napier from aboard a unique sightseeing train that travels through the streets rather than along rails. After a devastating earthquake and fire of 1931, Napier was completely rebuilt in the then-modern style that was sweeping the U.S. and Europe. The happy result is a city boasting the world’s largest concentration of Art Deco buildings, most of them today restored to the peak of their period beauty. Riding through the streets on a modern road train styled like a vintage steam railroad, you’ll pass a dazzling parade of stucco relief facades, ornamentation in geometric patterns, streamlined silhouettes and even some Maori symbols thrown in for a regional twist. Of the 164 Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical buildings constructed in Napier in the 1930s, some 140 of them still stand – creating a living time capsule of the Deco era. From the wide, comfortable seats of the Hawke’s Bay Express, you can relax and see it all through the train’s large windows. You’ll also get a look at Bluff Hill, where the early settlers lived, and the old port village of Ahuriri, where their ships came in.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a 1.5hrs long, slow-motion speed date with a beautiful Art Deco city you’re bound to love.
• Travel through downtown Napier on a sightseeing train that rides the streets, not the rails.
• Sit back in romantic, old-fashioned comfort and see the city through modern big picture windows.
• Learn about the circumstances that led to the Napier’s world-class collection of Art Deco landmarks.
• Enjoy a short tour stop is at the Customs house with pictorial stories of the region over time.
• Catch the views from Bluff Hill and along the old Ahuriri wharf, as well.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen as needed.