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Napier Prison

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Napier Prison is one of New Zealand’s oldest prisons and a significant historic site in the city. Today, it operates as a visitor attraction offering guided tours and insights into early prison life. Visitors can explore old cells, exercise yards, and learn about the lives of former inmates. The prison provides a unique perspective on Napier’s past and justice histor

What to See & Do

  • 🎧 Join self-guided audio tours 🎙️ available in 14 languages, featuring stories of drug barons and the “Eye Eater” 👁️
  • ⛓️ Explore original prison cells 🏚️ where gang insignia and period graffiti still mark the walls and bunk beds 🛌
  • ⚖️ Learn about inmate stories 📜 including Roland Edwards and the four hangings that took place on-site 🪢
  • 🏗️ Visit exercise yards 🏀 and the “Hanging Yard” where prisoners were buried standing up ⚰️
  • 🌙 Experience “Deadhill” night tours 👻—a spooky, guided after-dark adventure through the haunted corridors 🕯️
  • 🧩 Test your wits in Hawke’s Bay’s only Escape Rooms 🗝️ like “The Prisoner’s Dilemma” or “Earning Your Stripes” 🔓

How to Get There

  • 👣 On Foot: A steep but manageable 10-15 minute walk 👟 from the city center and Marine Parade 🏘️
  • 🚗 By Car: Follow Coote Road uphill; free on-site parking 🅿️ is available directly outside the prison gates 📍
  • 🚌 By Bus: Local bus routes stop at the base of the hill near the Centennial Gardens 🚍, followed by a short walk 🚶

Travel Tips

  • 🎟️ Pricing & Booking: Day tours are approx. $30 NZD per adult 💰. Guided tours are by appointment only and require minimum numbers 📞
  • 👟 Sturdy Shoes: Surfaces are uneven and steep in places ⚠️; wear comfortable, closed-toe footwear 🥾
  • 👶 Age Suitability: While the Junior Program is great for kids 🎒, the Hanging Yard and night tours are better suited for older children and adults 🔞
  • 🧣 Weather: The site can be drafty and cold ❄️, especially in the winter or during night tours; bring a warm layer 🧥

Suggested Itinerary

  • 🏰 10:00 AM – Arrive at Napier Prison 📍 and grab your audio headset 🎧
  • 🏚️ 10:30 AM – Walk through the cells, the Suicide Wing, and the 1931 earthquake-damaged corridor 🏚️
  • 🦴 11:30 AM – Visit the graveyard and the Hanging Yard 🪦 before finishing at the gift shop 🛍️
  • 🌳 12:30 PM – Walk down to the Centennial Gardens ⛲ to admire the waterfall and relax after the “prison life” experience 🌊
  • 🍽️ 13:30 PM – Head back to the Art Deco Quarter 🏘️ for lunch and local shopping 🍷

Opening Hours & Entry

Open:

Daily: Hours vary by tour schedule

Entry Fee:

Paid entry for guided tours

Best Time to Visit:

Late morning or early afternoon

Location

📌Napier Prison, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

👉 View on Google Maps

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