Faraday Museum of Technology is Hawke’s Bay’s hands-on museum of historical machines, gadgets and everyday technology — the place to touch, pull levers, push buttons and see how things worked from the early 1900s onward. Tucked into a heritage building near central Napier, the collection covers vintage radios and communication devices, historical home appliances, industrial machinery, transport, science demonstrations, and the kind of working artefacts that aren’t behind glass. Open four days a week, plus daily during school holidays.
Practical Information
| Address | Faraday Centre, Faraday Street, Napier South |
| Hours | Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am–3.30pm; Mon–Sat during school holidays (closed public holidays) |
| Cost | Entry fee applies — check Faraday Museum site for current adult, child and family rates |
| Experience | Hands-on — touch, pull, hold, operate the exhibits |
| Good for | Families with kids, technology enthusiasts, history buffs, rainy days |
| Accessibility | Mostly accessible; check directly for specific access needs |
| Parking | Free street parking nearby |
About Faraday Museum
Faraday Museum of Technology is Hawke’s Bay’s dedicated technology museum — sitting in the Faraday Centre on Faraday Street in Napier South. Unlike traditional “look but don’t touch” museums, the Faraday is built around the principle that you can touch, hold, pull and operate the exhibits. Visitors are encouraged to push buttons, pull levers, lift handsets, listen to old radios and try out the working machines. This makes it one of the most hands-on visitor attractions in Napier and a particularly good destination for families with kids.
The collection brings together pieces of everyday and industrial technology from the early 1900s onward — a window into how communication, transport, home appliances and working machines have changed across the past 120 years. The museum is run by enthusiasts and volunteers, with much of the collection donated by Hawke’s Bay families and businesses over the years.
Collection Highlights
| Communication devices | Telegraphs, vintage radios, early telephones, gramophones, record players — trace the evolution of how people connected |
| Home appliances | Vintage cookers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, irons — how everyday domestic technology transformed homes |
| Vintage machinery | Working industrial machines, lathes, presses and tools showing the impact of the industrial revolution on regional NZ |
| Transport | Old vehicles, engines, motorbikes and transport-related technology |
| Science demonstrations | Interactive science exhibits and demonstrations |
| Hands-on exhibits | Most of the collection is touchable — pull a lever, push a button, see how it worked |
Visiting With Kids
Faraday Museum is one of the best Napier attractions for kids on a rainy day — the hands-on format gives children something to actually do at every exhibit, rather than just looking at things behind glass. The school-holiday opening hours (Monday–Saturday during NZ school holidays) reflect the museum’s strong family audience. Allow 1–2 hours for a proper visit; younger kids will want to spend longer if they get into the interactive exhibits.
What Visitors Often Say
Reviewers consistently mention Faraday Museum as one of the best rainy-day family options in Napier — the hands-on format (touch, hold, pull levers, operate the machines) keeps kids substantially more engaged than traditional behind-glass museums. The collection of vintage radios, home appliances and industrial machinery from the early 1900s onward gets praise from both kids and parents.
The most common practical tips: the museum is only open Mon / Wed / Fri / Sat (and Mon–Sat during NZ school holidays), so check the days before driving over. Allow 1–2 hours, more if kids get into the interactive exhibits. The entry fee is modest by museum standards — and the hands-on experience makes it feel substantially better value than equivalent display museums.
Where to Learn More
Faraday Museum of Technology — official site — current opening hours, admission fees and exhibition information.
Napier City Council — Faraday Museum — council facility listing with directions and visitor information.
Napier NZ — Faraday Museum — visitor guide with photos and current admission information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Faraday Museum in Napier?
On Faraday Street in Napier South — the Faraday Centre.
What are Faraday Museum opening hours?
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am–3.30pm. Mon–Sat during NZ school holidays. Closed public holidays.
Is the Faraday Museum free?
No — entry fee applies. Check the Faraday Museum site for current adult, child and family rates.
Can you touch the exhibits at Faraday Museum?
Yes — the museum is built around hands-on interaction. Touch, hold, pull levers, push buttons.
Is the Faraday Museum good for kids?
Yes — one of Napier’s best family attractions, particularly on rainy days. Hands-on format keeps kids engaged.
How long does a Faraday Museum visit take?
Allow 1–2 hours. Kids who get into the interactive exhibits will want to spend longer.
Is parking available at the Faraday Museum?
Yes — free street parking nearby.
For more Napier museums and cultural attractions, see the historical and cultural sites hub. The free MTG Hawke’s Bay is the city’s other main museum.
