Gisborne - Things to do
There are many things to do in Gisborne and most are associated with sun, surf and scenery, for which it is famous.
Sun
Of all the things to do in Gisborne being among the first in the world to wake up to the new day is perhaps one of the more memorable but least exhilerating! Gisborne boasts that it is the first city in the world to greet the sun each day because of its position relative to the International Date Line. Technically, this is only true for part of the year and there is friendly rivalry between Gisborne and Suva, Fiji, and Nuku'alofa, Tonga, as to who can truly make the claim. Either way, Gisborne gets plenty of sun!
Surf
The city of Gisborne is close to the white sand beaches of Waikanae and Midway and it's a short drive to the surf beach of Wainui. The beach lifestyle includes hosting the annual Dawn Raid Beach Day Out, an outdoor concert featuring hip hop stars each January. So your list of things to do in Gisborne should include time in the surf - or at the very least watching others enjoy the surf from the safety of the beach!
Scenery
Tourism operators in Gisborne offer the chance for fixed wing or helicopter flights over some stunning scenery in the area. You can fly over the volcanic cone at White Island, the Motu River Valley, Mt Hikurangi, the East Cape Lighhouse, Lake Waikaremoana and along the east coast. Take your camera!
Gardens
Half an hour from Gisborne is the Eastwoodhill Arboretum at Ngatapa, a world-renowned collection of trees in a park with hills, valleys, ponds and formal gardens. The Hackfalls Arboretum at Tiniroto is also worth a visit.
Maori culture
Tairawhiti (the Gisborne region) has one of the highest Maori populations in New Zealand. Guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the Maori culture, including visits to Te Poho O Rawiri Marae or Whangara Marae (where the movie Whale Rider was filmed).
Wines
One of the more relaxed things to do in Gisborne is to sample the fantastic local wines. Gisborne lays claim to the title of New Zealand's Chardonnay capital. Certainly, many local wineries produce award-winning examples of chardonnay and tours of vineyards can be arranged through the local information centre.
Monuments
For something historic to do in Gisborne you can visit the James Cook Monument which commemorates the occasion, on October 8, 1769, when Yorkshireman James Cook first stepped ashore in New Zealand - the first of many visitors from the United Kingdom!