Historic Napier Prison
Perched atop Napier’s Bluff Hill, the formidable Napier Prison stands as New Zealand’s oldest penal institution, its stone walls echoing tales of despair and the supernatural.
Established in 1862, this austere facility served not only as a prison but also functioned as an orphanage and psychiatric unit before its decommissioning in 1993.
Within its confines, the prison bore witness to four executions, including that of mass murderer Roland Herbert Edwards in 1884. Legend holds that Edwards' restless spirit returns annually on the anniversary of his death, his presence felt in unexplained footsteps and sudden chills.
Visitors have reported eerie phenomena: doors creaking open unaided, disembodied faces materializing in the gloom, and whispers that seem to emanate from the very walls.
Today, Napier Prison invites the brave to explore its haunted halls through guided day and night tours, as well as self-guided audio experiences.
For those seeking a deeper thrill, monthly "Scare Tours" plunge participants into the prison's darkest corners, blending historical fact with spine-chilling theatrics.
Dare to enter, and you may find that some inmates never truly left.
55 Coote Road
Bluff Hill
Napier
Hawke's Bay
+64 6 835 9933
Established in 1862, this austere facility served not only as a prison but also functioned as an orphanage and psychiatric unit before its decommissioning in 1993.
Within its confines, the prison bore witness to four executions, including that of mass murderer Roland Herbert Edwards in 1884. Legend holds that Edwards' restless spirit returns annually on the anniversary of his death, his presence felt in unexplained footsteps and sudden chills.
Visitors have reported eerie phenomena: doors creaking open unaided, disembodied faces materializing in the gloom, and whispers that seem to emanate from the very walls.
Today, Napier Prison invites the brave to explore its haunted halls through guided day and night tours, as well as self-guided audio experiences.
For those seeking a deeper thrill, monthly "Scare Tours" plunge participants into the prison's darkest corners, blending historical fact with spine-chilling theatrics.
Dare to enter, and you may find that some inmates never truly left.
55 Coote Road
Bluff Hill
Napier
Hawke's Bay
+64 6 835 9933
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