Things to Do in Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Credit: Brook Sabin, Gisborne City Views

Gisborne, also known as Tairāwhiti, sits on the far eastern edge of the North Island, where the land greets the rising sun. This Eastland region is far from the crowds. Watch the sunrise from Maunga Hikurangi, catch a wave at Wainui or Makorori, swim with stingrays at Tatapouri and taste the region’s award-winning chardonnay. Then take State Highway 35 around the East Cape for a road trip with empty beaches and dramatic coastline.

Experience Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Discover Tairāwhiti Gisborne, the first place to see the sunrise in Aotearoa New Zealand. Located on the eastern coast of the North Island, our region is known for its rich Māori culture, spectacular coastal landscapes, world-class surf, boutique wineries, and warm local hospitality.

Gisborne: The region’s main city, known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant food and wine scene, and rich cultural heritage.
Tolaga Bay and Tokomaru Bay: Discover historic landmarks, beautiful coastal scenery, and welcoming East Coast communities along State Highway 35.
Ruatoria and Te Araroa: Explore the heart of Ngāti Porou country, where cultural heritage, spectacular landscapes and coastal scenery come together.
Matawai and the inland region: Discover native forests, scenic walking trails, and outdoor adventures, including the beautiful Waioweka Gorge.

You´ll ❤️ these great things to see & do…

Maunga Hikurangi: Welcome the first light of a new day atop Maunga Hikurangi, a sacred mountain of deep cultural significance to Ngāti Porou.
Dive Tatapouri: Experience a guided Reef Ecology Tour, encounter wild stingrays, and other marine life in their natural environment.
National Arboretum of NZ, Eastwoodhill: Explore beautiful gardens, walking trails and an extraordinary collection of exotic and native trees.
Tairāwhiti Gisborne wineries: Discover the region’s boutique wineries and sample locally produced wines, including the Chardonnay for which Gisborne is renowned.
Tolaga Bay Wharf: Discover one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s longest historic wharves and an iconic landmark of the East Coast.
Tairāwhiti Museum and Tupapa Heritage Trail: Explore the region’s rich history, stories and cultural heritage through museum exhibitions and self-guided heritage experiences.
Te Waha o Rerekohu: Marvel at one of Aotearoa’s largest and oldest pōhutukawa trees in Te Araroa.
Rere Falls and Rere Rockslide: Discover two of the region’s favourite natural attractions, surrounded by beautiful rural landscapes.
Motu Trails: Explore spectacular landscapes by bike, with trails suited to a range of abilities.
State Highway 35: Take the scenic coastal route through East Coast communities, discovering beautiful beaches, historic landmarks and breathtaking views along the way.

For more information on things to see and do, places to stay and experiences throughout the region, visit Tairāwhiti Gisborne.

Where to Experience It in Gisborne

Gisborne city is flat and compact, and the East Cape stretches north from it, so the easiest way to plan your things to do in Gisborne is by area and theme.

Gisborne city: a walkable centre with the Tairāwhiti Museum, which specialises in local Māori history and culture, and the waterfront. See Museums.
Surf beaches: the region has 270 kilometres of coastline, including Wainui and Makorori beaches, which draw surfers for consistent swells and uncrowded water. See Wildlife & Beaches.
Stingrays and reef: Dive Tatapouri runs snorkelling and swimming with stingrays in the reef shallows.
Māori culture: Tipuna Tours is an iwi-owned eco-tourism operator offering cultural and historic guided tours. See Māori Culture.
Sacred summit: Maunga Hikurangi is the first place in the world to see the sunrise. See Walking & Hiking.
Cycling and rail: Cycle Gisborne runs vineyard and cultural day tours, and Gisborne RailBike Adventures rides a scenic coastal railway. See Cycling & Mountain Biking.
Gardens and rivers: the National Arboretum of New Zealand has more than 2,000 plant species from 67 countries, and Motu River Jet runs jet boat tours. See Nature.
East Cape: Te Araroa and the East Cape Lighthouse, Tolaga Bay and its famous wharf, Tokomaru Bay, Te Kaha and Waihau Bay, and Potaka and Lottin Point for fishing.

Events in Gisborne

Gisborne’s event calendar is busy all year, so there are always things to do in Gisborne that fit your travel dates.

Coming up in 2026

Wine & Food Gisborne, Saturday 25 October. A celebration of the region’s wine and food.
Rhythm & Vines, 28–31 December. New Zealand’s premier music and camping festival, held among the vines.

Summer 2027 (January)

D1NZ National Drifting Championship, 15–17 January. Aotearoa’s premier drifting championship comes to the East Coast.
First Light Marathon, 23 January. Start and finish at Midway Beach, with 42 km, 21 km and 6 km options along the coast and over grassy hills. Because the race is timed around dawn, runners see the world’s first sunrise from the course. Event page

Autumn and spring

The Chardonnay Affair, each May. A weekend of events built around Gisborne’s chardonnays (22–24 May in 2026).
Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival, each October. Homegrown music, art and performance across the region.

Regular events

Gisborne Farmers’ Market: every Saturday morning, 9.30am to 12.30pm, rain or shine.
Gizzy Local: a local guide to what’s on, at gizzylocal.com.

More dates: Tairāwhiti Gisborne Events.

Gisborne After Dark

Gisborne is a small city, but there is plenty to do once the sun goes down. Hours and programmes change, so confirm with each venue.

Stargazing: Gisborne Astro Tours runs under the dark skies of Patutahi, for all ages.
Dome Cinema: a local favourite for movies, blues nights and unique gigs.
Live music: Smash Palace has live gigs, drinks and food.

Eat & Drink in Gisborne

Gisborne is one of New Zealand’s most underrated food and wine regions, known for award-winning chardonnay, seafood caught on the day and unpretentious eateries.

Visit a cellar door for the region’s signature chardonnay, or join a vineyard cycle tour.
Browse the Saturday Gisborne Farmers’ Market for local producers.
Browse more at Food & Wine, or the official Gisborne Wine & Dine guide.

Gisborne by Season

Here are the best things to do in Gisborne in each season, based on the official events calendar.

Summer (Dec–Feb): Rhythm & Vines, beach and surf days, D1NZ and the First Light Marathon. Accommodation is in high demand, so book early.
Autumn (Mar–May): quieter beaches and The Chardonnay Affair in May.
Winter (Jun–Aug): a good time for museums, the Dome Cinema and stargazing.
Spring (Sep–Nov): Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival and Wine & Food Gisborne in October.

For national dates such as Waitangi Day, Matariki and Great Walks season, see New Zealand Festivals.

Good to Know Before You Go

Flying in: Air New Zealand has multiple daily flights from Auckland and Wellington. Gisborne Airport is about a five-minute drive from town, with car hire and taxis on arrival. Prior booking is recommended.
By road: State Highway 2 links Gisborne to Ōpōtiki through the Waioeka Gorge, and to Hawke’s Bay through a series of high country passes. Check NZTA for road conditions before you travel.
East Cape: State Highway 35 is a remote, scenic loop. There is no big-name public transport out here, so most visitors drive. Stock up on supplies and fuel before heading past Tolaga Bay.
Camping: freedom camping is allowed only in some places. Check local signage and Gisborne District Council guidelines first.
Getting around town: the city is flat and compact, with bike hire from Cycle Gisborne and Bikeys.

Approximate drive times to Gisborne

Napier (Hawke’s Bay): about 3 hours 30 minutes
Ōpōtiki (Bay of Plenty): about 2 hours
Rotorua: about 4 hours
Taupō: about 4 hours 30 minutes
Auckland: about 6 hours 30 minutes

Useful Gisborne Resources

Tairāwhiti Gisborne official site

Combine Gisborne With

Gisborne is a long way from the main tourist routes, so most visitors pair it with these nearby regions:

Hawke’s Bay – about 3 hours 30 minutes south, for Art Deco Napier and wine country
Bay of Plenty – via the Waioeka Gorge to Ōpōtiki and the coast
Rotorua – Māori culture and geothermal wonders
Taupō – the lake and Tongariro region

Tours that include Gisborne

More tours: North Island Tours · North & South Island Tours · Wine Tours · Self Drive Tours

All North Island Regions

Auckland Bay of Plenty Coromandel Peninsula Gisborne & Eastland Hawke’s Bay Northland & Bay of Islands Rotorua Ruapehu Taranaki Taupo Waikato & Waitomo Wellington & Wairarapa Whanganui & Manawatu

Find Your Perfect Activity

Wild Stingrays Tour Gisborne

Tatapouri, New Zealand Wildlife & Beaches Family & Kids

90 minutes

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Reef Ecology Tour with Wild Stingrays Tatapouri, situated just 15 minutes away from Tairawhiti Gisborne, offers an interactive marine experience with Stingrays and other sea creatures. The 90-minute tour takes place in the natural habitat of Wild Short Tail Stingrays, Eagle Rays, and other reef dwellers. With knowledgeable guides, you will learn about Reef Ecology

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