Museums in Hawkes Bay

Chief among local museum attractions is Hawke's Bay Museum & Art Gallery, 65 Marine Parade (tel. 06/835-7781; www.hbmag.co.nz), a museum focused on the stories, heritage, art, and artifacts of New Zealand. At press time, however, the museum was closed for an NZ$80-million redevelopment; it is expected to reopen in 2013. You can check progress on their website.

For something a bit different, look into the British Car Museum, 63 East Rd., Haumoana (tel. 06/875-0561 or 025/231-3916; www.britishcarmuseum.co.nz), which parades more than 300 cars, trucks, petrol pumps, and other motoring memorabilia. It's open daily from 9am to 4pm and by appointment. Admission is NZ$10 for adults, NZ$3 for children under 13; credit cards not accepted.

Not quite a museum, but almost, is Trainworld and Lilliput, 88 Dickens St., Napier (tel. 06/835-8045). Up to 37 miniature trains operate on 800m (2,625 ft.) of track in one of the world's largest 00-gauge model railways. It's open daily in summer from 10am to 4pm with reduced winter hours; admission is NZ$10 for adults, NZ$5 for children, and NZ$25 for families.