National Aquarium of New Zealand, Napier Overview

Located on Marine Parade, the National Aquarium of New Zealand in Napier boasts a rich and diverse collection of freshwater, saltwater and land exhibits from around the world. Previously known as the Napier Aquarium, this attraction offers a wide variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic species like seahorses, Penguins, Kiwi, Tuatara, Piranha, Turtles, Eels, Sharks and Reef Fish, among others, to explore and witness in person.

Originally built upon the idea of a public aquarium filled with unusual local and tropical fish species, the National Aquarium of New Zealand started in 1957. It was later shifted to its present-day location in Napier in 1976. With its array of exhibits like the Asian Tropical, Dinosaur Fossils, Water Dragons, Kiwi Enclosure, Oceanarium and the most visited of all, the Penguin Cove exhibit, the Aquarium attracts a lot of visitors and hosts several activities on its premises. There is a Fish Bowl Café here where you can relax and grab a bite or if you want to buy a souvenir, the Treasure Chest Gift Shop is the place to go. The Aquarium also has provisions for ‘Close Encounters’ where you can get close to the Penguins here and watch the animals being fed in their exhibits during their feeding hours.

History

This Aquarium underwent renovation work in the year 2002 and it was during this time that the 1.5 million litre Oceanarium with an acrylic tunnel of 50 metres was added to the exhibit. It was also in this year that the name of the aquarium was changed from Napier Aquarium to National Aquarium of New Zealand.

Timings

Daily from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (including public holidays). Last entry here at 4:30 p.m.

Feeding time: Reef tank: 10:00 a.m., Oceanarium (including sharks): 2:00 p.m. and Penguins: 9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Sleepovers: Starts at 6:00 p.m. and comes to an end at 8:30 a.m. the following day.

Packages

General
Adults $23.00, Children (3 -14 years) $11.50, Children (under 3 years) – Free, Student $21.00, Family (2 adults + 2 children) $62.00, Senior Citizens (aged 65 and above) and Community Services Card holders $16.50, Extra for a Child $7.00
Close Encounters
Penguins (per person) (maximum of 4) $130.00
Group Discount
For 10 or more people
Adult $21.00, Children (3 - 14 years) $10.50
Sleepover
Individual $60.00

Tips

No dogs are allowed in the sleepovers.
A minimum of 20 individuals are required to book the sleepover programme.
If you plan on taking the sleepover session here, make sure you have your supplies like sleeping bags, pillows, warm clothes, blankets, toiletries, etc.