Albatross Motel - Local Attractions

Just five minutes drive from Napier’s central business district you can discover an area steeped in history, but with a contemporary edge. New apartments sit alongside tiny old fishermen’s cottages, industrial warehouses and woolstores with distinctive saw-tooth rooflines.

At the National Aquarium, Napier discover a diverse range of aquatic animals and wildlife, both native species and from around the world.

During World War II and for a few years after hostilities ended, this lookout was occupied by 77 Battery 10 Coast Regiment NZA. The Battery manned two 6-inch guns in concrete emplacements built on a strategic site offering commanding views of Hawke Bay - the highest point of the Bluff Hill Domain, above the Port of Napier.

These well-landscaped gardens were once a quarry manned by prison labour. The gardens were developed in 1974 to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of Napier as a borough and a city.

Otatara Pa Historic Reserve encompasses one of the most outstanding defensive and settlement complexes in New Zealand. The views from this site are outstanding. You can see Napier, across to Cape Kidnappers and out to the sea. It is possible on a clear day to see Ruapehu in the centre of the North Island.

The Hawkes Bay Farmyard Zoo was established in February 2004, since then it has become recognised as one of the leading attractions for both tourists and groups in Hawkes Bay. Known for its unique atmosphere and educational opportunities the Zoo also provides a safe, clean environment with informative signage, limestone walkways, and a picnic area to accommodate large groups such as Birthdays, work functions, and Christmas parties alike.

The story of these gardens began with the need to keep the sea from overtopping the beach and running down into the town. A permanent sea wall was built in 1887-88 to replace an unsatisfactory wooden structure. The 'new' wall is still there - the low round-topped wall dividing the gardens from the Marine Parade footpath and roadway. Before the 1931 earthquake, the shingle beach came right up to this wall.