Gisborne between Coast, Forest and Culture

The Tairāwhiti/Gisborne region covers 8,350 square kilometres, stretching from the Wharerata Hills in the south to East Cape and the community of Potaka in the north. Its coastline extends for around 270 kilometres and includes sandy beaches, rocky shores, headlands, offshore islands, rock towers and reefs. Along the region’s western boundary, the Raukumara Range forms a rugged, bush-covered mountain ridge. At 1,754 metres, Mt Hikurangi is the region’s highest point and the highest non-volcanic mountain on New Zealand’s North Island. The coast, mountains and inland destinations offer different possible focuses for a stay in Gisborne.

Nature Destinations and Trails

Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve preserves a nationally rare Kahikatea-Puriri forest. It is the only remaining example of this type on the Gisborne Plains. A clearly marked, wheelchair-accessible loop track leads through native bush and takes 15 to 20 minutes; information panels accompany the trail. Okitu Scenic Reserve also offers a loop track: it takes 20 to 30 minutes, crosses three small footbridges and leads to a lookout platform with views of Wainui Beach and the surrounding hills.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is home to more than 25,000 species of exotic and native trees, shrubs and climbers across 135 hectares. Trails range from flat, tree-lined paths to a steep climb up Mt Arateitei, with views over the arboretum and surrounding landscape from the top. For planning purposes, Eastwoodhill is about 35 kilometres northwest of Gisborne and can be reached by car in around 30 minutes via Wharekopae Road. The different trail routes offer a practical guide to the kind of nature experience you may want to focus on.

Cycle Trails and Regional Routes

The Motu Trails comprise the Dunes Trail, Pākihi Track, Motu Road Trail and Rere Falls Trail. The routes offer opportunities for walking, cycling, mountain biking and trail running, as well as multi-day bikepacking between Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne. The Rere Falls Trail is a 103-kilometre Grade 3 cycling route, for which one to three days are recommended. It connects with the Motu Trails and passes Rere Falls, Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Gisborne’s city beaches. This gives you a choice between a multi-day cycling trip and shorter loop walks.

The Wainui Cycleway connects the city’s riverside path to the Midway Surf Club via the Oneroa Pathway along Waikanae Beach. For a walking tour, the four-kilometre Tupapa Heritage Trail runs from the city to Titirangi Reserve and features ten markers. The accompanying app shares stories of tangata whenua, the Indigenous people, in English and Te Reo Māori. The route thus brings together the trail itself and the perspectives of tangata whenua told along the way.

Culture, Coast and Regional Produce

The Tairāwhiti Museum regularly presents changing exhibitions across nine galleries, covering art, history and decorative arts, with a particular focus on Māori art and culture. Another notable site is Tolaga Bay Wharf. It is believed to be the longest reinforced-concrete pier and wharf in an open roadstead in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the longest concrete pier and wharf in New Zealand. Gisborne produces Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Malbec.

Rere Rockslide is another of the region’s nature experiences: the natural slide is 60 metres long and is best ridden on an inflatable or a boogie board. According to tourism information, it is open year-round and free of charge; check access before visiting. When planning, you can weigh up trails and viewpoints, cultural stops, cycling routes and a waterside nature experience. When looking for a hotel in Gisborne, it is helpful to first decide which of these different experiences you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gisborne District, Manutuke, Auckland, Taranaki, Canterbury, Bay Of Plenty, Napier City, Marlborough

For the main travel overview: New Zealand.