As the first city in the world to see the first light of day, the sun shines that extra bit brighter on Gisborne Tairāwhiti.
Known for its laid-back surf culture (thanks to an endless rugged coastline), superior Chardonnay and aromatic wines, fertile soils and ocean floors, historical landmarks and a community of locals as sunny as the weather, everyone who visits this town leaves impressed and sun-kissed.
Sure, it plays host to Rhythm and Vines, one of New Zealand’s most popular three-day music festivals, but there are countless reasons to explore this remote East Cape gem the other 362 days of the year.
From Midway Beach to Wainui to Makorori, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to picking a sandy spot to stroll, swim or surf. And once you’ve had your fill of fresh salty air, the town offers a variety of dining, drinking, shopping and sightseeing options to stuff into your itinerary.
Wake up at specialty coffee shops and sip local craft brews in the afternoon; visit museums, waka landing sites and the very spot where James Cook first set foot in Aotearoa; browse century-old bookshops, second-hand boutiques and one-of-a-kind cinemas; and enjoy the freshest produce sourced from nearby gardens, vineyards and local artisan kitchens.
Whether you’re visiting in real fruit ice cream weather or the depths of winter, every day feels like a holiday in the happy and carefree world of Gisborne.
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Explore our Directory
View AllTahu
Located on the shores of Midway Beach with sweeping views looking out across the breathtaking coastline, Tahu stands out in Gisborne’s restaurant scene for many reasons.
Curbside Kitchen
As soon as the clock strikes 7am in Gisborne, Curbside Kitchen’s coffee machine kicks into gear with a throng of regulars stopping by for their daily brew before work...
Masami Clothing
In an era where new clothing is produced at a terrifying rate, thoughtful one-off garments are at risk of becoming a dying breed.
Tairāwhiti Museum
Located in a lush park setting along the river in Gisborne, Tairāwhiti Museum plays a significant role in showcasing the rich art, culture and heritage of the region.
Smash Palace
Smash Palace serves as a reminder of why bars and pubs were created in the first place.
Hill Road Orchard & Farm Shop
Hill Road Orchard is the beating heart of Gisborne’s famous Hill Road Orange Juice: fresh, unpasteurised, and squeezed straight from oranges grown on their own...
Bollywood Indian Restaurant
Every town needs a reliable Indian restaurant that they can depend on for delicious food and warm service. In Gisborne, it’s Bollywood Stars.
Blitz Surf Shop
Providing the town with their sun, sand and surf uniforms since 1983, Blitz is quite the Gisborne icon.
Zephyr Wainui
Walking into Gisborne's Zephyr is like walking into a ray of sunshine. That’s the only way we can describe it.
Neptunes Pizzeria
A slice of magic (and really good pizza) awaits down Gisborne’s main drag. Neptunes Pizzeria was never destined to blend into the Gladstone Road streetscape.
The Village Berry
Most of us can only dream of having a supermarket alternative like The Village Berry in our neighbourhood.
Crawford Road Kitchen
The reality of a small town is that dinner options are more limited – but that doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing, especially with Crawford Road Kitchen...
Truly
Truly, a sweet blend of owners’ Trish and Julie, is a Gisborne boutique designer store housing a well-curated selection of brands from both Aotearoa and further afield.
Mr Clifton's
There are several places you can grab your daily brew in Gisborne, but few serve just coffee – and serve it as spectacularly as Mr Clifton’s.
Raglan Roast Gisborne
As soon as the first light touches Gisborne, the Raglan Roast coffee machine is up and at ‘em, ready to wake up the town with strong brews.
