Discover Gisborne: Coast, Culture and Nature

Gisborne is defined by an expansive coastline, bush-clad mountains and a variety of trails through nature and culture. The Tairāwhiti/Gisborne region covers 8,350 square kilometres, stretching from the Wharerata Hills in the south to East Cape and the settlement of Potaka in the north. The scenery is just as varied: from beaches and rocky shores to forested ranges and distinctive peaks.

Coastline, Mountains and Remarkable Forests

The region’s coastline stretches for around 270 kilometres. It includes sandy beaches, rocky shores, headlands, offshore islands, sea stacks and reefs. Along the region’s western boundary, the Raukumara Range forms a rugged, bush-clad mountain ridge. At 1,754 metres, Mt Hikurangi is the region’s highest point and the highest non-volcanic mountain on the North Island.

Gray's Bush Scenic Reserve offers a different kind of landscape. It protects a Kahikatea-Puriri forest that is rare nationwide and the only surviving example on the Gisborne plains. A clearly marked, wheelchair-accessible loop track winds through native bush and takes 15 to 20 minutes to walk; information panels line the route. The region therefore combines impressive mountain ranges with a short, accessible nature walk.

Walking and Cycling Trails

The Tupapa Heritage Trail is a four-kilometre loop walk with ten markers, running from the city to Titirangi Reserve. Its app shares stories of tangata whenua (the Indigenous people) in English and Te Reo Māori. The trail combines exploring Gisborne on foot with cultural storytelling. At Okitu Scenic Reserve, a 20- to 30-minute loop track crosses three small footbridges to a lookout platform with views of Wainui Beach and the surrounding hills.

There are also different ways to explore the region by bike. The Wainui Cycleway connects the city’s riverside path to the Midway Surf Club via the Oneroa Pathway along Waikanae Beach. The Motu Trails comprise the Dunes Trail, the Pākihi Track, the Motu Road Trail and the Rere Falls Trail. They offer opportunities for walking, cycling, mountain biking, trail running and multi-day bikepacking between Ōpōtiki in the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti/Gisborne.

The Rere Falls Trail is a 103-kilometre cycling route, rated Grade 3 and designed to take one to three days. It connects with the Motu Trails and passes Rere Falls, Eastwoodhill Arboretum and Gisborne’s city beaches. It’s a practical option for anyone looking to combine exploring the region with a longer bike ride.

Arboretum and Water Activities

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is home to more than 25,000 species of exotic and native trees, shrubs and climbing plants across 135 hectares. Its trails range from flat, tree-lined paths to the steep climb up Mt Arateitei, which offers views of the arboretum and surrounding landscape. Eastwoodhill is about 35 kilometres northwest of Gisborne and can be reached by car in around 30 minutes via Wharekopae Road.

For a very different nature experience, try the 60-metre-long natural Rere Rockslide. An inflatable or a boogie board is the best way to ride down the slide. The loop walks, arboretum paths and longer cycling routes vary considerably in the time and type of activity they involve, offering different ways to plan your days.

Culture, History and Regional Wines

Tairāwhiti Museum hosts regularly changing exhibitions across nine galleries, covering art, history and decorative arts, with a particular focus on Māori art and culture. The Tolaga Bay Wharf is another visible part of the region’s history. It is believed to be the longest reinforced concrete pier and kai in an open roadstead in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the longest concrete pier and kai in New Zealand.

Wine is also part of the region’s character: Gisborne produces Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Malbec. Together with the museum and the cultural stories of the Tupapa Heritage Trail, this gives a sense of the region that extends beyond the coast and outdoor activities.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Trip

When looking for a hotel in Gisborne, it helps to first decide what balance you’re after: short loop walks and cultural stops, coastal scenery, or longer cycling routes and nature destinations. The trails and experiences described here offer practical pointers, while leaving you free to explore in more than one way.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gisborne District, Manutuke, West Coast, Napier City, Taranaki, Southland, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wellington.

For the main travel overview: New Zealand.