Explore our region

Take your time to explore and enjoy Gisborne and the region of Tairawhiti. 
Here's some ideas for things to do and see around our region.

Adventure

  • Surf some of the best breaks in New Zealand.Rere rockslide
  • Enjoy a swim at any of our safe beaches.
  • Slide down the Rere rock slide - a 60m long natural water slide.
  • Raft the Motu River.
  • Get face-to-face with a Mako shark in the safety of a dive cage.
  • Feed stingray off the Tatapouri reef.

Hunting and fishing

  • Hook a trophy trout from the Ruakituri River.
  • Tramp or hunt through virtually untouched native bush.
  • Explore a whole coastline of fresh seafood; book a game-fishing charter.

Relax and enjoy

  • Freedom camping.
  • Play a round of golf.Walkways and trails
  • Stroll through Eastwoodhill Arboretum's 20km of walking tracks.
  • Walk a range of tacks through native bush. Check out our walkways and trails.
  • Drive 'up the coast", experience friendly East Coast hospitality.
  • Take a “Whalerider Tour” of Whangara – home to the Whalerider movie.

Arts and culture

  • Relax at the theatre. See a show at one of our city theatres or grab a bean bag and a pizza to watch European art house productions at the Dome Cinema, or see the latest Hollywood movies at the Odeon.
  • Visit the Tairāwhiti Museum.
  • Visit Toihoukura on the EIT campus – contemporary Māori Art on display.

Wine and foodWine and food

  • Sample wines of Gisborne – Chardonnay capital of New Zealand. Enjoy cellar door tastings, or organise a wine tour.
  • Dine at one of our harbour side cafes and restaurants or one of our many other cafes and restaurants.
  • Farmers' Market on Saturday morning for fresh local produce.

Annual festivals and events

  • Gisborne Wine & Food festival in October.
  • Rhythm and Vines - see in the New Year at the biggest party.

Related websites

Check out what's on

Gisborne events including what's on at our theatres.

Olympic pools - 6 separate pools, main pool covered and heated.

Tourism Eastland - Gisborne and Eastland region tourism website.

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti - provides services and delivers programmes to achieve people being more active.

Gisborne News - Local newspaper.

HB Williams Memorial Library - Gisborne's public library.

Tairawhiti Museum - and art gallery, has a reputation as one of the best regional museums in New Zealand.

Tairawhiti Arts- art and culture from the East Coast of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Heart of Gisborne - Gisborne's central shopping area.

East Coast Museum of Technology - displays and demonstrates historic artifacts from the Gisborne district.

Last updated: 10/04/2012 8:35am Copyright © 2007-2012 Gisborne District Council

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