Gisborne

Thanks to its location on the East Cape of the North Island, the coastal city Gisborne is one of the first places in the world to greet the sun each day! ‘Gizzy’ locals are known for their laidback attitude to life. Once you discover Gisborne’s sunny climate, isolated location and amazing beaches this will make sense.

Things to do in Gisborne

Gisborne is the place to go if you’re interested in:

• Wine – Gisborne is known as the ‘chardonnay capital of New Zealand’ and there are many wine trails and wineries to visit in the region
• Surfing – catch a wave at beautiful deserted surf beaches and take a lesson if you’re new to the sport
• Music and partying – Gisborne is home to the legendary two-day Rhythm & Vines New Year’s festival. Every year partygoers flock to a beautiful vineyard to welcome in the New Year with a host of top international and local bands
• Māori culture – almost half Gisborne’s population identifies as Māori, creating a truly immersive experience. This is also the place where many of the first meetings between Māori and European explorers happened. Captain Cook first landed on New Zealand soil at Kaiti Beach.

While you’re in Gisborne, take a trip to the lonely East Cape Lighthouse, sitting at the easternmost point of mainland New Zealand. Or for a swimming trip with a difference, head to one of Gisborne’s best secrets: the Rere Rockslide. Grab a boogie board, inner tube or even an air mattress and whoop and holler your way down a smooth rock face covered in shallow waters. The nearby Rere Falls are also worth a visit as you can go behind the waterfall’s cascading curtain and enjoy the swimming hole underneath.

Getting to Gisborne

InterCity buses travel to and from Gisborne daily from Auckland, Wellington and other towns and cities in between. Prices start from $1 plus booking fee so taking the bus is the cheapest way to get to Gisborne!