What to do there
The superb beaches offer good swimming, fishing and surfing and attract a wealth of bird life, including stilts and oyster catchers. The visitor information centre has details on walks, horse trekking, fishing and hunting tours and other activities in the area - there is certainly no shortage of things to do.
Beautiful beaches contrast dramatically with rugged cliffs and rocky outcrops, providing the perfect home to an abundance of crayfish. The Gisborne museum houses displays relating to East Coast Maori and colonial history, as well as geology and natural history exhibits. Surfing is popular on the beaches north of Gisborne and the state forest parks of Ruatoria, Raukumara, Urutawa and Waioeka offer numerous walking tracks. The tracks afford wonderful views, a highlight for some being an overnight stay on Mt Hikurangi to see the first light of the new day. White water rafting is available on the Waioeke and Motu rivers, perhaps providing a thrilling finale to a relaxing holiday!
Between Gisborne and Rotorua, the Urewera National Park is the largest native forest area in the North Island. Most visitors walk the Waikaremoana (sea of rippling waters) Track, one of New Zealand’s great walks around an amazing lake of the same name. Birds, deer, trout and other wildlife are plentiful in the park - take time to observe them by boat or on the walks, which vary from half an hour to several days. Kayaking is also available.
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