7 TOP MUST-DO'S IN TAIRĀWHITI GISBORNE

© AA Traveller 2021

As the first place on Earth to see a brand new day, getting up for sunrise has never felt so special. There are ample places to sample Eastland’s coastline, culture by the bucketload and, with a landscape draped in grape vines, a nice big drop of world-class chardonnay, too.

1. Ōpotiki Museum

One to rival any big city museum, visitors are left in awe. Housed in a former bus station and superbly curated, there are three floors of artefacts, including everyday implements from days gone by and a comprehensive selection of Māori taonga.

2. 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.

East Cape Light House © Tairāwhiti Gisborne

3. Tolaga Bay Wharf

Home to a 660m pier and the longest in New Zealand. A 50-minute drive north of Gisborne.

Tolaga Bay Wharf © Brennan Thomas

4. Rere Falls

Just 2km further from Rere Rockslide are the spellbinding Rere Falls. Showcasing a wide curtain of water, there’s an idyllic picnic area to sit, eat and admire.

5. 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.

6. Lake Waikaremoana

Located in the Te Urewera National Park, Lake Waikaremoana is home to one of New Zealand's ten Great Walks. You can cover 46km over three to four days, tramping in between lake views, forest, beach and swimming holes.

7. Māhia Peninsula

Detour from Gisborne off SH 2 at Nūhaka and find New Zealand’s only rocket-launching company, Rocket Lab. Māhia also boasts gorgeous seaside markets, sandy beaches and swimmable rockpools at Coronation Reserve.

Rocket Lab, Māhia Peninsula © Trevor Mahlmann

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