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Tairāwhiti Top 10
10 THINGS TO DO IN TAIRĀWHITI
Tairāwhiti opens up the moment you arrive. The coast, the sunshine and the people all play their part, and the region is easy to explore at your own pace. Here are ten of our greatest hits Out East.
1. Cruise Highway 35 Coastal route
Big skies, open roads, and the freedom to stop where the view tells you to. Highway 35 winds past sweeping beaches, sleepy settlements, legendary pāua pie stops, good-as-gold campgrounds, and detours like Motu River Jet or coastal horse treks for a dose of adventure. This isn’t just a drive, it’s a rite of passage. One of Aotearoa’s most iconic coastal journeys and the best way to ease into that unmistakable coastie rhythm.
2. Dive Tatapouri
Wade into wild but welcoming waters. Dive Tatapouri offers a guided reef experience where you’ll meet stingrays up close, graceful, ghost-like and gentle. Led by locals who know the reef like family, this is one of our signature soft adventures. It’s where ocean meets story, and visitors leave with something unforgettable.
3. Watch a Sunrise on the Coast
Out East, the light hits first. Pick your patch of coast, Te Araroa, Tokomaru Bay , Anaura Bay or Tolaga, and settle in to greet the dawn. There’s a quiet magic in watching the South Pacific come to life in soft pinks and fiery golds. A new day. A new perspective. No filters needed.
4. Maunga Hikurangi experience
At first light on sacred ground, stories rise with the mist. This guided journey to Maunga Hikurangi is deeply woven with whakapapa, tikanga, and the history of Ngāti Porou. It’s more than a tour, it’s a connection. A powerful way to engage with Tairāwhiti’s cultural heart and landscape through respectful, meaningful encounter. Choose from a sunrise tour or mid morning tour.
5. Gisborne Railbikes
Pedal at your pace along retired railways that carve through bush, farmland and rugged coast. With three scenic options including a Māhia route, Gisborne Railbikes are part nostalgia, part adventure. E-bike friendly, eco-conscious and fun in that wholesome, wind-in-your-hair kind of way.
6. Kaiti Hill Walkway and Lookout
It’s a steady climb, but the payoff is panoramic. Kaiti Hill offers wide views across Gisborne city, the harbour and out to the blue beyond. On a clear day, you might even spot a Rocket Lab launch arcing into the sky. Take your time, breathe it in, and see the city from a fresh angle..
7. Dome Cinema
A velvet-curtained, wood-paneled gem tucked inside the historic Poverty Bay Club. The Dome Cinema is part arthouse cinema, part pizza-and-wine lounge, and entirely atmospheric. Whether you're with the family or flying solo, it's a go-to spot for a relaxed, stylish night out in the city.
8. Vineyards
Our vines soak up more sunshine than almost anywhere else in the country, and it shows in the glass. Settle in at Matawhero Vineyard, Wrights Winery or TW Wines for warm welcomes, local varietals, and that laid-back Tairāwhiti hospitality. Tastings often come with a story, and a view.
9. Local kai
Kai that knows where it’s from. Think crisp fish and chips by the sea, standout dining spots in town, and tucked-away treasures where chefs channel the region’s bounty. Add a cold Gizzy Gold or Māhia brew from Sunshine Brewery and you've got flavours that match the mood, fresh, unfussy, and full of sunshine.
10. City beaches and the boardwalk
Straight out the front door and into the sea breeze. Gisborne’s city beaches are easy to love, safe swimming, golden sand, and a boardwalk that invites long walks, slow thoughts, and salty skin. Whether you want a quick dip, a morning run or just a good spot to sit and watch the waves, you’ll find it right here.
Before you GO
A small ask to help keep the region in good shape. Be a tidy Kiwi, follow local guidance, and check the Top Travel Tips page for simple ways to care for the coast while you explore. By travelling with the Tiaki Promise, you’re helping protect our land, ocean, people, and culture, so future visitors can enjoy Tairāwhiti just as you do today.
