Tairāwhiti Gisborne
Gisborne MOTU RIVER JET Motu River weaves through one of the last significant areas of untracked native bush in the North Island. Access this remote landscape on a jet-boat tour, combining thrills and fun with historic accounts and insight.
Wairoa
Motu Trails, Ōpotiki © Neil Robert Hutton Photography BELOW: Rocket Lab, Māhia Peninsula © Trevor Mahlmann
BEACHES AND BAYS Te Kaha has glorious beaches and bays, perfect for swimming, while Whanarau Bay, with its tranquil beaches and rocky outcrops, is considered to be the prettiest bay.
hahei &
East
dral cove cathe
Cape
Gisborne
Hicks
& Surrounds
Bay
East Cape
his whānau. Book your tour at maungahikurangi.com EAST CAPE LIGHTHOUSE Straddling Otiki Hill above East Cape, which happens to be the North Island’s easternmost point, catching sunrise here is pure magic. Even if there are 700 steps to reach its 154m-high placement. From Te Araroa, the coastal drive to get to the lighthouse is also a belter. TIKITIKI CHURCH ST MARY’S is a beautiful Māori themed wooden church with traditional carvings and stained glass. The whakairo (carvings) are nothing shy of a masterpiece and a real thing of beauty.
Visit the old wharf at nearby Onepoto Bay for a stunning lick of sand and inviting water. TOUR THE SCULPTURES with Maunga Hikurangi. Conquer the highest peak in the Raukumara Range. Two thirds of the way up, nine elevated whakairo (Māori carvings) stand before the landscape. Depicting Māui and See Map Section - pages 111 to 123
Gisborne town centre © Tairāwhiti Gisborne
GISBORNE TO WAINUI BEACH CYCLEWAY Ride from the city to the white sands of Wainui Beach. This easy, 6km one-way trail traces the beachfront, passing heritage sites and sculptures. TAIRĀWHITI MUSEUM Get a taste of the region’s rich history by absorbing a huge range of local and cultural exhibits. TUPAPA HERITAGE TRAIL Integrated with a world-class app, take yourself on a 4km self-led walking tour, peppered with beautiful artworks and 10 tour markers that conclude at the top of Titirangi. EASTWOODHILL NATIONAL ARBORETUM OF NEW ZEALAND Boasting the most comprehensive collection of woody plants in New Zealand, including a large amount of northern hemisphere trees. Enjoy 25km of walks.
TOP TIP: Keep your eye on Rocket Lab’s website and Facebook page for upcoming launch dates, then head to Bluck’s Point to witness blast off.
TOLAGA BAY WHARF Home to a 660m pier and the longest in New Zealand. A 50-minute drive north of Gisborne. COOK’S COVE See for yourself where Captain Cook stopped when he circumnavigated New Zealand. A 5.8km return walk traverses the landscape (closed for lambing between July and October) and at several scenic lookouts as you go. MĀHIA PENINSULA Detour from Gisborne off SH 2 at Nūhaka and find New Zealand’s only rocketlaunching company, Rocket Lab. Māhia also boasts gorgeous seaside markets, sandy beaches and swimmable rockpools at Coronation Reserve. CLIMB MOKOTAHI HEADLAND On the Māhia Peninsula, this short 20-minute walk starts from the edge of Māhia Beach. Reach the top and lap up the sweeping Pacific Ocean views. MĀHIA COASTAL RAIL BIKE RIDE The latest adventure from Rail Bikes Adventures. Mount a custom-made tandem bicycle and ride the rails to the coastal communities along Māhia Peninsula. A 22km/threehour return journey, complete with BYO beachside picnic.
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