New Zealand · Region
Gisborne
Gisborne sits at the easternmost point of New Zealand's North Island, on Poverty Bay, and is famously the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day. It's a laid-back surf and wine region known for its warm climate, Māori heritage as one of Captain Cook's first landing sites, and some of the country's sunniest weather.
Top-rated things to do in Gisborne
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Where to stay in Gisborne
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Plan your trip to Gisborne
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Frequently asked questions about Gisborne
How do I get to Gisborne?
Gisborne Airport (GIS) has domestic flights to Auckland and Wellington with Air New Zealand, with the flight from Auckland taking around 1 hour. There's no passenger rail service to Gisborne, so overland travellers rely on InterCity coaches from Auckland, Rotorua or Wellington, a journey of roughly 10 hours by direct bus.
How many days should I spend in Gisborne?
Allow ~3 to 4 days to cover the city's beaches, wineries and Cook landing sites at a relaxed pace, or longer if combining it with the wider East Cape road trip.
What is Gisborne known for?
Gisborne sits at the easternmost point of New Zealand's North Island, on Poverty Bay, and is famously the first city in the world to see the sunrise each day. It's a laid-back surf and wine region known for its warm climate, Māori heritage as one of Captain Cook's first landing sites, and some of the country's sunniest weather.