Tairāwhiti Gisborne

This beautiful but remote region on the East Coast of the North Island is uniquely blessed. Here, you’ll find endless sunshine, secluded beaches, pumping surf spots, pristine forests, award-winning wineries, and close-knit Māori communities. It's the first city in New Zealand to see the sunrise, also known as "the land of the first light". The only potential downside is you may never want to leave.
PROXIMITY
Gisborne is just a one hour flight from Auckland and a 1.5 hour flight from Wellington. Air New Zealand operates 5 direct flights per day from Auckland and 1 flight per day from Wellington. Air New Zealand also have connections available across the New Zealand domestic network. Gisborne is a 2 hour drive from Napier, a 2.5 hour drive from Whakatane and a 3.5 hour drive from Rotorua.
STAY
  • Like most destinations, Tairāwhiti offers a range of accommodation. Some of our recommended places to stay include:
  • Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel, Gisborne
  • Bella Vista Motel, Gisborne
  • Nga Puriri Cottage, Hicks Bay
  • Lottin Point Motel, Cape Runaway
  • Te Kaha Beach Hotel
  • Anaura Bay Motor Camp
  • Captain Cook Motor Lodge, Gisborne
  • Hicks Bay Motel Lodge
  • Mahaanui Farmstay Experience.
SEE + DO
  • From significant historical landmarks to stunning natural wonders, Tairāwhiti is home to an extraordinary mix of must-see and must-do attractions and experiences.
  • Experience the magic and freedom of the great Gisborne Railbike Adventure – discover hidden gems and never before seen landscapes along historic railway lines as you pedal your way across stunning native forest, through enchanting tunnels and viaducts.
  • Whether it’s your first time or you’re a pro – grab a board, pop on a wetsuit, and come see why surfers from far and wide love riding the breaks and swells at Waikanae Beach
  • Jump onboard the Motu River jetboat and enjoy adventure and excitement of wilderness jet boating, blasting past banks covered with unique and rare flora amongst ancient Maori history.
  • Discover the historic Tolaga Bay Wharf, one of New Zealand’s longest piers and most popular spots to dangle a fishing line.
  • Visit the Tairāwhiti Museum featuring hanging exhibitions of regional history, local and national art exhibitions, and a historic cottage and ship to explore.
  • Located in stunning Tatapouri Bay just a 15-minute drive from Gisborne, Dive Tatapouri is New Zealand’s only wild stingray encounter. Venture out to an interactive reef ecology tour with wild stingrays, eagle rays and other reef dwellers abound.
  • Journey to a sacred maunga, Mount Hikurangi for a sunrise of a lifetime amidst Māori legends, culture and tradition. Beginning from Ruatoria, a 2 hour drive north of Gisborne, you will meet your Ngāti Porou guide for an off-road ride on a 4WD vehicle to the top of Hikurangi, the highest peak in Tairāwhiti and the first point on the mainland to see the sunrise each day.
  • The legendary flavours of Sunshine Brewery is like a rite of passage when in Tairāwhiti. Since 1989, this boutique brewery has become an iconic East Coast landmark celebrating the important things in life: sun, surf, mates and good beer. As New Zealand’s oldest independent Brewery, Sunshine Brewery is located just a few blocks from the beach in downtown Gisborne.
  • Go back in time and ride the only remaining Wa class steam train in the world as it puffs its way across the airport runway (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere to do so), and through the Gisborne countryside on its way to Muriwa. The train stops for a half-hour BYO picnic break at Muriwai so don’t forget to pack the snacks.
  • With a scattering of exceptional wineries in this beautiful corner of Aotearoa, a visit to Gisborne wouldn’t be complete without a day of wine tasting. From award-winning Chardonnay to Chenin Blanc, Riesling, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and Malbec, there’s a beautiful variety of wine to entice every palette.