Gisborne may be a bit harder to get to, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many attractions, especially if you have a car to explore further afield. History and nature are the main attractions I have listed for Gisborne, but if you’re interested in surfing, Gisborne has some of the best breaks in the country.
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If you plan on travelling around New Zealand, the best way to get around is by car. Not only do you get to see more, but you will find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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Contents
Waikanae Beach
Known for its surfing, Gisborne has great beaches not far away. The main beach, Waikanae, is in the middle of the city. It’s a great swimming beach, safe and protected by the Mahia Peninsula. You can also walk along the foreshore from the Port to Midway Beach, where you will find more Gisborne attractions.
At the Port end of Waikanae Beach are two statues, one of which is of Young Nick, who first sighted land here on 6 October 1769. He is pointing towards the Headland he saw, and this statue is standing near where the Endeavour was anchored.
The other statue is of James Cook. This statue depicts him as an explorer, with his three voyagers charted on the globe on the other side.
How To Get Here
Right on the waterfront in Gisborne.
Kaiti Hill
Kaiti Hill stands tall over the Port and city. You can walk up it, which takes about 40 minutes, or drive up it in just a few minutes. About halfway up, you have a lookout over the city and a statue of Captain James Cook just after. From the top, you view the coastline, looking back toward Napier over Young Nicks Head and Mahia Peninsula.
How To Get Here
The lookout is located on Titirangi Drive. Depending on your energy level, you can either walk or drive up.
Rere Falls
About 50 km out of Gisborne are Rere Falls and a couple of kilometres further up the Rere Rockslide. The car park for the falls is right beside them, and there is a nice green area for picnics.
How To Get Here
This is a trip for those who have a car. Both the Waterfall and Rockslides are located on Wharekopae Road, which is a 45-minute drive out of Gisborne.
Rere Rockslides
Drive a bit further on, and if you have a boogie board, enjoy the ride down a natural 60-meter rockslide to a 4-meter pool below. If you are going to do this, you need to be able to swim and stay on your board, and the rocks can be sharp. Water quality is taken regularly, and you should check before you go.
How To Get Here
The rockslides on Wharekopae Road are about a kilometre or two from the Rere Waterfall, a 45-minute drive from Gisborne.
Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Eastwoodhill Arboretum is about half an hour outside Gisborne, but it is well worth the trip to immerse yourself in nature.
See trees from all over the world in this expansive parkland dedicated to protecting fauna.
Six coloured tracks take you through the different areas. You can choose the area you want to explore and take in your fitness level on the undulating land.
The kids will love looking for local wildlife that may cross your path. There is also a playground near the visitor centre for them.
How To Get Here
Half an hour’s drive out of Gisborne at 2392 Wharekopae Road, Ngatapa.
Hours
8 am – 4.30 pm weekdays
9.30 am – 3.30 pm weekends
Closed Christmas Day.
Admission
Adults $18
Seniors (over 65) $15
Child (under 16) $5
Under 5s free
Family (two adults and four children under 16) $45
Guided walks and jeep tours are available by appointment. Click here for more information.
Accommodation
For more information on accommodation, click here.
Beaches Out of Gisborne
Following the east coast, you have more surf beaches, with Wainui and Makorori about 20 minutes up the road from Gisborne. A great lookout gives you views along Makorori Beach and the coastline towards Gisborne. Turihaua Beach is good for camping, fishing and swimming. You can camp on the grassy area off the beach, and it’s a great beach for families, holidays, or relaxation.
Tolaga Bay
If you want a longer drive, Tolaga Bay is about 45 minutes north. This little township has a restored historic Wharf, 660m long. Great views out into the bay and back to the beach are gained by walking out to the end of the Wharf but be warned that there isn’t a barrier at the end of the pier. Keep an eye on your kids or your footing. Another walk in the area is the Cooks Cove walkway. Named after James Cook, who stopped here during his circumnavigation in 1769, it’s a great option for kids, as you have a safe swimming cove for the family to cool off in.
Captain Cooks Cove Walkway
Captain Cooks Cove Walkway car park is just before Tolaga Bay Wharf. This track goes through farmland and is closed from 1 August to the end of October (the start of Labour Weekend) for Lambing season.
The track first climbs through the bush, with about 100 steps to negotiate. There are stiles to climb over, and this track will get very muddy, especially after rain.
After about 20 minutes, you’ll arrive at the lookout, with great views out over the Pacific, down to Cooks Cove and up the coast towards East Cape.
From the top, you head down back through the bush to the right in the photo above. About 350 more steps and a steep grade will lead you down to the grassy area, where you have three sites to visit.
Down at the Cove
This area includes Hole in the Wall, a historical marker, and Cooks Cove. The first stop, Hole in the Wall, is on the left-hand side as you go over the last stile.
Next, walk along to Cooks Cove. It is safe to go swimming here, or you can explore this area.
Another sight to see here is the historic marker marking Cook’s arrival. It is up a little hill and has great views of the cove.
It’s a great walk, taking about 2.5 hours and nearly 6 km, but remember, what goes down must come up, and you have about 350 steps and steep tracks to negotiate on the way back to the lookout.
Tokomaru Bay
Tokomaru Bay is another half hour up the road. A smaller and quieter township, it’s still a great place for camping, fishing, and swimming for families. It has a safe bay, where Southern Right Whales come in to calve or rest.
Whether you spend your time seeing Gisborne attractions or exploring the surrounding area, there are plenty of wineries to visit during your stay.
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Good to see all the places I visited many years ago. You have done a very good job of explaining everything. Also, good photography.
Thanks Joan. It was good for me to see new sights this time and I’m glad I got you reminiscing.
Moses this when we were in NZ but I definitely want to return so I will add it to the list for our next visit. Thanks.
I’m glad that you enjoyed it, Laureen. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later that you can get to return.
Haha Mother Nature rock slides! love it! such a cool area to explore!
Mother Nature never fails to impress me, Nadia.
Lovely post! I’m a huge fan of the Endeavor story and enjoyed seeing these touchpoints. Thanks!
Thanks, Susan. Gisborne is full of Cook’s history in New Zealand.