Things to do in Hawke's Bay with kids

Things to do with kids in Hawke's Bay lean on animals, flat trails and the coast, and Napier's waterfront is the base for most family days. Napier and Hastings are a 20-minute drive apart, so ideas on both sides of the Heretaunga Plains fit into one trip alongside the rest of the things to do in Hawke's Bay.

Animals and sea life in Napier

Napier's National Aquarium of New Zealand is the easy first stop with children. A walk-through tunnel runs under a 1.5-million-litre oceanarium where stingrays and giant kingfish glide overhead, and the animals on land include kiwi, a tuatara named Alfie who is over 40 years old and a rescue haven for little penguins. Little penguin keeper talks run at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and the stingray feeding is at 10am and 2pm.

General admission to the National Aquarium of New Zealand covers the whole day with adult and child tickets. An aquarium guided tour with all-day admission adds a 1-hour tour at 10.30am through the nocturnal kiwi house, where day becomes night, with a real kiwi egg on display. More of Napier's wildlife sits under Hawke's Bay zoos and aquariums.

Wildlife outdoors at Cape Kidnappers

Cape Kidnappers has the largest mainland gannet colony in the world, and a guided 4WD ride out to it suits children who would rather see birds than walk to them. A Cape Kidnappers bird watching tour starts from the operator's base at Te Awanga at 9.30am or 1.30pm, with morning or afternoon tea included. A version with transfers from Napier or Hastings removes the driving.

The gannets can be seen from September to early May, with chicks arriving in December and January, and the tours do not run from May to August. The cape is cold and exposed, so children need a warm jacket and sunglasses.

Bike trails and lookouts for active families

Nearly 200 km of Hawke's Bay Trails cross the Heretaunga Plains, and most of the network is flat, off-road and graded easy, which suits younger riders. The self-guided Cape Coast ride on a standard bike follows a 16 km limestone trail along the Tuki Tuki River to the coastal villages of Haumoana and Te Awanga, with child tickets available and riders told to pack sunscreen, swimmers and water. An e-bike version of the same route adds electric assistance.

Te Mata Peak, behind Havelock North, is a shorter outing. The 399 m summit has 360-degree views, and children can walk up through redwood forest or drive to the top.

Wet days with kids in Hawke's Bay

July is the wettest month, and winter highs sit around 14 to 15°C. The aquarium's tunnel and nocturnal kiwi house are inside, and the MTG museum in Napier gives children a scavenger hunt to collect from the front desk. More ideas for the weather are under Hawke's Bay rainy day activities.

Planning a family trip to Hawke's Bay

Summer suits the coast and the trails, with average highs of 23 to 25°C from December to February. Napier makes an easy base because the waterfront is flat and close to the aquarium, and Hastings is a 20-minute drive away. A day of Hawke's Bay tours and a day in town balance each other well, and families heading further afield can find more under things to do with kids across Australia and New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

What can you do with kids in Hawke's Bay?

With kids in Hawke's Bay you can visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier for penguins, stingrays and kiwi, take a guided 4WD ride to the gannets at Cape Kidnappers, cycle the flat Hawke's Bay Trails or drive up Te Mata Peak for the views.

Can kids see kiwi in Hawke's Bay?

Yes. The National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier keeps kiwi, and its guided tour goes into the nocturnal house where day becomes night. The tour also shows a real kiwi egg.

Are children welcome on the Cape Kidnappers bird watching tour?

Yes. The Cape Kidnappers bird watching tour sells child tickets for ages 5 to 17, and infants aged 0 to 4 are free of charge. Children should bring a warm jacket and sunglasses.

Can children join the Cape Coast winery bike ride?

Yes. The self-guided Cape Coast winery ride sells child tickets for ages 6 to 14. The 16 km route follows a flat limestone trail along the Tuki Tuki River to the coast.

When are the little penguin talks at the National Aquarium of New Zealand?

Little penguin keeper talks at the National Aquarium of New Zealand are held at 9.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm, and the stingray feeding and talk runs at 10am and 2pm.

What can kids do in Hawke's Bay when it rains?

On a wet day in Hawke's Bay, kids can visit the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier, where the oceanarium tunnel and the nocturnal kiwi house are inside, or do the scavenger hunt at the MTG museum in Napier.

Things to do with kids in Hawke's Bay work best with one animal stop, one outdoor stop and a flexible plan for the weather, all within reach of Napier.