By the Taruheru River off Aberdeen Rd lie the Botanic Gardens, a feast of green within walking distance from the heart of Gisborne city.
These are gardens where you can saunter along at leisure while enjoying the Gisborne flora.
Trees from the north
Thirty-five kilometres from town lies the sprawling 160-acre Eastwoodhill Arboretum which boasts New Zealand’s largest collection of northern hemisphere temperate trees, shrubs and vines.
There are also a variety of walking tracks at the Arboretum and accommodation is available in airconditioned self-catered bunkrooms.
Wineries and wine tours
As a major wine producing area, particularly noted for its Chardonnay, the region has several wineries open to visitors, with tours available to the larger ones.
Go swimming or trekking
Other activities:
- Swim right in the city at Waikanae Beach and at many beaches all along the coast.
- Go whitewater rafting in the region’s Motu and Waioeka Rivers.
- View the yoked bullock teams at Tangihau Station in high hill country 44 kilometres from the city airport.
- Go horse trekking along the ocean beaches just minutes from the city.
- Take a helicopter flight, including hunting or fishing safaris and wine tours.
- Go trout fishing, deer stalking, and duck hunting at Lake Waikaremoana.
For these and other activities, the visitor information centre should certainly be of help with planning and details.
Next page: North Island Map
- Photo: Kerry Fox, courtesy Destination Gisborne
