Gisborne, the first city to see the light is a playground for sport fishing, surfing, diving, marine and wildlife. It is located on the Pacific Coast Highway of the North Island's East Cape, 3 hours drive from Napier and Rotorua and 6 hours from Auckland. Its bountiful vines have dubbed Gisborne the 'Chardonnay Capital' of New Zealand. There are some superb boutique wineries in the area and the scenery is beautiful and unspoiled, dotted with idyllic, beaches and bush fringed mountain lakes.
MUST SEE & DO
- Find Captain Cook's landing site at Kaiti Beach, then climb Kaiti Hill for views across to the white cliffs of Young Nick's Head
- Take part in the Whale Rider tour - visit the village where the movie was filmed
- Eastwoodhill Arboretum is a Garden of National Significance with the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees and shrubs in the Southern Hemisphere
- Swim or surf at one of the many hidden bays and uncrowded golden sand beaches
- Explore the many bush reserves and forest parks around the region from half hour walks to 4 day hikes
- Visit a local boutique winery for tastings and tapas
- View the spectacular work of local artists and craftspeople displayed at the art galleries and craft shops
