Carol’s Gisborne and East Coast guidebook
Food scene
Our 6yr old grandaughter loves this place. The Green Dip (Cob Loaf) and Traffic Lights are her fav. We don't have to ask where she wants to go for lunch!!
21 locals recommend
The Rivers Restaurant and Bar
1 Gladstone RdOur 6yr old grandaughter loves this place. The Green Dip (Cob Loaf) and Traffic Lights are her fav. We don't have to ask where she wants to go for lunch!!
The Works
41 EsplanadeThis is a beautiful Historic building and the food is delicious too.
This is a lovely Italian place to go for a special evening or a family lunch. The Cannelloni is divine. Just for a little while the food and the music transport you to Italy.
Portofino GISBORNE
12-14 Peel StreetThis is a lovely Italian place to go for a special evening or a family lunch. The Cannelloni is divine. Just for a little while the food and the music transport you to Italy.
Ussco Bar & Bistro
16 Childers RdThe Pork Belly just melts in your mouth.
The Wharf is just a lovely place to chill with a coffee or drink wine with friends
11 locals recommend
Wharf Bar & Grill
60 The EsplanadeThe Wharf is just a lovely place to chill with a coffee or drink wine with friends
Gisborne Tatapouri Fishing Club
54 EsplanadeThe Tata Platter is a "must have."......
surfing
If you love surfing you will know of the great surfing at Makorori and Wainui beaches.
11 locals recommend
Wainui Beach
If you love surfing you will know of the great surfing at Makorori and Wainui beaches.
Beaches
Waikanae Beach is more of a family beach. It's safer for children. Life guards and flags. Children love building sandcastles and hunting for shells and different shaped driftwood. There is also a ice cream and cafe shop at this beach. You can also see "Young Nicks Head" very well from Waikanae beach.
7 locals recommend
Waikanae Beach Playground
280 Grey StWaikanae Beach is more of a family beach. It's safer for children. Life guards and flags. Children love building sandcastles and hunting for shells and different shaped driftwood. There is also a ice cream and cafe shop at this beach. You can also see "Young Nicks Head" very well from Waikanae beach.
Walking along this walkway, breathing in and out deeply, is very therapeutic.
Oneroa Cycle and Walkway
40 Centennial Marine DrWalking along this walkway, breathing in and out deeply, is very therapeutic.
Sightseeing
Nicholas Young, a surgeon's boy on the Endeavour, was the first on the ship to sight the New Zealand coastline, on 6 October 1769.
Young Nick's Head
Nicholas Young, a surgeon's boy on the Endeavour, was the first on the ship to sight the New Zealand coastline, on 6 October 1769.
Titirangi is a hill in Gisborne city, New Zealand. It is also known as Kaiti Hill, but this refers to the first ridge overlooking Poverty Bay and Gisborne. The hill is an ancestral site of the Ngāti Oneone hapū in Gisborne. There's bush walk tracks amongst native trees. There's a very popular fitness trail with lots of steps to run up and down. You get to see Gisborne from a whole different angle - birds eye view!
23 locals recommend
Titirangi
Titirangi is a hill in Gisborne city, New Zealand. It is also known as Kaiti Hill, but this refers to the first ridge overlooking Poverty Bay and Gisborne. The hill is an ancestral site of the Ngāti Oneone hapū in Gisborne. There's bush walk tracks amongst native trees. There's a very popular fitness trail with lots of steps to run up and down. You get to see Gisborne from a whole different angle - birds eye view!
You don't have to go to the Maldives or Bora Bora, you can interact with the stingrays right here in Gisborne!
30 locals recommend
Dive Tatapouri
You don't have to go to the Maldives or Bora Bora, you can interact with the stingrays right here in Gisborne!
The i-site visitor information centre has everything you can possibly think of doing in Gisborne. Tairawhitigisborne.co.nz is another website to visit for information.
13 locals recommend
Gisborne i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
209 Grey StThe i-site visitor information centre has everything you can possibly think of doing in Gisborne. Tairawhitigisborne.co.nz is another website to visit for information.
Eastwood hills is a tranquil and calm place to be. You can actually breathe. Just for a while you can forget about the world outside. The best time to visit Eastwood Hills is in the autumn - it's beautiful. You can even rent a cabin and stay the night. There is an Eastwoodhill Arboretum walking track suitable for everyone.
39 locals recommend
Eastwoodhill Arboretum
2392 Wharekopae RdEastwood hills is a tranquil and calm place to be. You can actually breathe. Just for a while you can forget about the world outside. The best time to visit Eastwood Hills is in the autumn - it's beautiful. You can even rent a cabin and stay the night. There is an Eastwoodhill Arboretum walking track suitable for everyone.
Extending far into the deep water of Tolaga Bay, this wharf is a legendary place to dangle a fishing line. Allow half an hour to walk to the end of the wharf.
22 locals recommend
Tolaga Bay Wharf
160 Wharf RdExtending far into the deep water of Tolaga Bay, this wharf is a legendary place to dangle a fishing line. Allow half an hour to walk to the end of the wharf.
This is an excellent place for family fun.You will need some tyre tubes or boogie boards plus a picnic to top the day.
28 locals recommend
Rere Rockslides
Wharekopae RoadThis is an excellent place for family fun.You will need some tyre tubes or boogie boards plus a picnic to top the day.
Take a ride in the Vintage Steam Train. Remember the smell?? Takes me right back to my childhood.
Gisborne City Vintage Railway
109 Customhouse StTake a ride in the Vintage Steam Train. Remember the smell?? Takes me right back to my childhood.
If you love fishing then these are the people to talk to. CONTACT DETAILS Contact: Amber & Mike Clarke Phone: +64 27 430 5701 Email: touchwoodfishingcharters@gmail.com Address: Gisborne Marina, Pier C, Berth 22 - easy to spot as she is right in front of the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club. City: Gisborne
Touchwood Fishing Charters
54 Riverside RoadIf you love fishing then these are the people to talk to. CONTACT DETAILS Contact: Amber & Mike Clarke Phone: +64 27 430 5701 Email: touchwoodfishingcharters@gmail.com Address: Gisborne Marina, Pier C, Berth 22 - easy to spot as she is right in front of the Gisborne Tatapouri Sports Fishing Club. City: Gisborne
Winerys, Vineyards and Breweries
Millton Vineyards & Winery
119 Papatu RdOne of our local vineyard that is very special.
Bushmere Estate
166 Main RdThe Vines is gorgeous - for something to eat or just for a wine.
Matawhero Wines
189 Riverpoint RdI love this Winery. The setting is just stunning.
Sunshine Brewery
49 Awapuni RdIf you are into craft beers you will love this place.
Experience the Maori World.
The mountain is steeped in Maori legend. When the demi-god Maui (founding ancestor of the Ngati Porou people) caught the giant fish that became the North Island, Maunga Hikurangi was the first point to be pulled up from the sea. The mountain is also said to be where Maui's canoe now rests. Where better to see the sunrise?
Maunga Hikurangi Experience
3 Barry AvenueThe mountain is steeped in Maori legend. When the demi-god Maui (founding ancestor of the Ngati Porou people) caught the giant fish that became the North Island, Maunga Hikurangi was the first point to be pulled up from the sea. The mountain is also said to be where Maui's canoe now rests. Where better to see the sunrise?
Whangara
You will learn the whakapapa of Paikea and understand his mana in the Gisborne area.
There is beautiful Art here, as well as, local Maori and Pakeha history.
37 locals recommend
Tairāwhiti Museum
10 Stout StThere is beautiful Art here, as well as, local Maori and Pakeha history.
I took gifts from here for my family in England. I love the greenstone half hearts - I bought two, one for my sister and one for me - when they are joined together they make one heart.
The Stone Studio NZ
237 Stanley RdI took gifts from here for my family in England. I love the greenstone half hearts - I bought two, one for my sister and one for me - when they are joined together they make one heart.
I don't like being out on the water. I am so glad I did this, it was beautiful.
Waka Voyagers Tairawhiti
50 The EsplanadeI don't like being out on the water. I am so glad I did this, it was beautiful.
Te Maro Sculpture on Titirangi. (Ngati Oneone) A circular sculpture honours a significant tipuna - Te Maro, the grandson of the rangatira Rakai a Tane, who was killed at the Endeavour arrival in 1769. It is made of steel, ten metres high, and weighs nine tonnes. It will be viewable from the city and Waikanae.
23 locals recommend
Titirangi
Te Maro Sculpture on Titirangi. (Ngati Oneone) A circular sculpture honours a significant tipuna - Te Maro, the grandson of the rangatira Rakai a Tane, who was killed at the Endeavour arrival in 1769. It is made of steel, ten metres high, and weighs nine tonnes. It will be viewable from the city and Waikanae.
Te Ikaroa sculpture at Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing National Historic Reserve in Tairawhiti Gisborne. Photo / Jamie Quirk.
Puhi-Kai-Iti
Te Ikaroa sculpture at Puhi Kai Iti/Cook Landing National Historic Reserve in Tairawhiti Gisborne. Photo / Jamie Quirk.
Te Tauihu Tūranga Whakamana is a large modern carved sculpture in the shape of a tauihu (canoe prow) that celebrates early Māori explorers and their ability to navigate the Pacific Ocean long before that of any European sailors would dare to navigate. The Tauihu was designed by Derek Lardelli and Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp and carved by master carvers and artisans Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp and Bill Baker.
Gisborne Courthouse
Reads QuayTe Tauihu Tūranga Whakamana is a large modern carved sculpture in the shape of a tauihu (canoe prow) that celebrates early Māori explorers and their ability to navigate the Pacific Ocean long before that of any European sailors would dare to navigate. The Tauihu was designed by Derek Lardelli and Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp and carved by master carvers and artisans Te Aturangi Nepia-Clamp and Bill Baker.