Hawkes Bay Art Deco Festival 6 day tour

Hawke's Bay Art Deco Festival

6 day Hawke's Bay small group tour

Stay four nights in Napier near the heart of the action to enjoy all this renowned festival has to offer – parades, big bands, jazz bands, fairs and lunch at acclaimed Mission Vineyard. Additional treats are the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers and a cruise on Lake Taupo.

WHAT TRACY LOVES ABOUT THIS TOUR: New Zealand’s most popular festival is well worth attending and we can make it easy for you. Our group stays near the heart of the action – the Sound Shell and the festivities. The atmosphere is buzzing and everyone dresses up in their art deco attire!

$3,890 (NZD) pp twin
$4,390 (NZD) pp single

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Day 1

Auckland - Taupo - Napier

We drive into the heart of the Waikato farmland before continuing on to Taupo where we stop for lunch. From Taupo there are views across the lake to the three active volcanoes – Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu.

In the mid afternoon we drive over the hills to Napier where the Festival, commemorating the rebuilding of Napier in Art Deco style after the disastrous earthquake of 1931, is getting underway. We check into our hotel for four nights and dine in this evening.

Take in the scenery of the rugged Taupo to Napier road
Relax in your accommodation near the heart of the action

Accommodation

Napier - Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Another great location, but only the best will do at MoaTours! Just a short walk from the heart of the Art Deco precinct, Te Pania is modern, has everything you need right at hand and is our favourite place to stay in town.

What we love about Te Pania – You can’t beat those Pacific views, if you’re an early bird, watch the sunrise over the ocean from your room.

Day 2

Art Deco Festival Events - Mission Estate Vineyard - Napier

Relax and enjoy the vibrant festival atmosphere in Napier. We receive a first hand introduction to the festival events from a specialist Art Deco guide who joins our coach to take us along the Art Deco trail through Napier’s suburbs. Our tour finishes with a vintage movie at the Art Deco Shop

We wine taste at Mission Estate before lunching in Mission’s acclaimed restaurant above the vines. In the afternoon browse the Antique & Collectables Fair or relax back at your hotel. This evening there are events to see at the Soundshell.

Explore the sights with a private guide on an Art Deco tour
Wine taste and lunch at Mission Estate, where vines were planted in 1851

Accommodation

Napier - Scenic Hotel Te Pania

What we love about Te Pania – You can’t beat those Pacific views, if you’re an early bird, watch the sunrise over the ocean from your room.

Day 3

Art Deco Festival events - Automobilia Vintage Car Parade - Soundshell

Take your time over a leisurely breakfast at your hotel this morning before we step out on the streets to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere – the streets are crowded with revellers dressed in the clothes from the Art Deco era. The Automobilia Vintage Car parade starts at midday.

Everything from limos and coupes drive through the town to line up on display at the Soundshell where a variety of shows are underway – big bands, jazz and much more. Sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival. After dinner the events continue at the Soundshell.

The Automobilia Vintage Car parade begins at midday
Sit back and take in the festival atmosphere at the Soundshell

Accommodation

Napier - Scenic Hotel Te Pania

What we love about Te Pania – You can’t beat those Pacific views, if you’re an early bird, watch the sunrise over the ocean from your room.

Day 4

Art Deco Festival Events - Deco Dogs Parade - Tremains Gatsby Picnic

In the morning we head over to see two of the Festival’s most popular events: the Deco Dogs Parade and the Soap Box Derby where children and parents race their home-made carts in front of the crowd. Later we watch the Veronica Bell Parade, a symbol of the Navy’s assistance after the 1931 earthquake.

This afternoon, we sit back and relax at the Tremains Gatsby picnic and watch the memorial flying displays.

See the Deco Dogs Parade, Soap Box Derby and Veronica Bell Parade
Join in the fun at the Tremains Gatsby picnic

Accommodation

Napier - Scenic Hotel Te Pania

What we love about Te Pania – You can’t beat those Pacific views, if you’re an early bird, watch the sunrise over the ocean from your room.

Day 5

Napier - Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - Taupo

From Clifton we take our own privately guided three-hour overland coach safari through farmland and along the clifftops to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers.

In the afternoon we return northwards to Taupo to stay on the lakefront at Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels.

See gannets up close and spectacular views of Cape Kidnappers
Soak up the views of Lake Taupo from your hotel

Accommodation

Taupo - Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels

Boasting a spellbinding lake edge location, this welcoming Taupo Hotel and Resort presents you with uninterrupted views of the magnificent lake and mountains from guest rooms, restaurants and bar areas.

What we love about Millennium Hotel and Resort Manuels – Artfully decorated to create an air of glamorous elegance and with a heated swimming pool, private grotto plunge pool and sauna this is a relaxing and stylish location to spend time on tour.

Day 6

Taupo - Lake Taupo Cruise - Auckland

We breakfast at the Millennium and enjoy a leisurely start and the tranquillity of the lake. At the boat harbour we take a launch cruise out on Lake Taupo to see the contemporary Maori rock carvings created on the cliffs near Acacia Bay in the 1970s.

We leave Taupo and stop to see the powerful Huka Falls where the Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm. We lunch at Lava Glass café and visit Lynden Over’s glass blowing studio and glass sculpture garden. We continue north through the Waikato farmlands arriving in Auckland in the late afternoon.