Gisborne and Eastland Region Overview and Activities
Gisborne, Opotiki and Mahia.

Eastland

Incorporating the East Cape, Gisborne, Mahia Peninsula and Wairoa areas.

State Highway 35 , known as the Pacific Coast Highway circuits the East Cape between Gisborne and Opotiki, a total of 334 km. of safe sandy beaches interrupted by rocky points. Opotiki and the beautiful Ohiwa Harbour which are a perfect base from which to explore this special corner of New Zealand. The other main highway State Highway 2  travels the bush lined Waioeke Gorge and crosses a saddle over the ranges bordering  Te Urewera National Park. The East Cape (excluding Gisborne) is lowly populated with little commercial development and is therefore prized as an area of peaceful isolation.

Gisborne: Generally enjoying warm summers and mild winters has made the alluvial river plains area an ideal place for citrus and sub tropical fruits, one of the most famous crops being grapes. When Captain Cook sailed the Endeavor into Poverty Bay in 1769 he made Gisborne the first European landing place in NZ.

The greater area is predominantly hill country suited to grazing mainly sheep and cattle. Pinus radiata forests have also been established in the area.

Native bush areas support frost sensitive natives such as Nikau Palms.

The Turanganui River mouth provides a sheltered inner harbour area which houses the Marina and waterfront cafes and restaurants. The downtown area has all services and caters to a city population of around 30,000 people .The swimming and surf beaches are a popular attraction.

Forest, Maritime & National Parks

Raukumara Forest Park north-east of Opotiki is 155,000ha of mostly virgin forest. Few tracks lead into the park and the terrain is steep and rugged. Passing through the forest is the Motu River which is becoming increasingly popular for white water rafting.

Te Urewera National Park bordering the western boundary of this district is filled with steep ranges, deep gorges and rushing streams,. It is the largest area of virgin native bush in the North Island and home to the very beautiful Lake Waikaremoana.

Opotiki and East Cape.
	Ohiwa Harbour Tours, 59 Melville Drive, Whakatane Contact: Bill Plunket Phone: +64 (07) 308 7837 Fax: +64 (07) 308 7836
	Maqueta Fishing Charters, Departs Whakatane/ Opotiki/Te Kaha/ Waihau Bay. P.O. Box 433, Opotiki. Contact: Barry McPhee 'Phone:Phone: 07 315 6179 'Phone:Mobile: 0274 543 727 ;e-mail:  barry.mcphee@xtra.co.nz
	Michel Ruru Fishing Guide, Wairakaia Road, Opotiki. Mobile: 025 268 6190 Fax: +64 (07) 377 6484
	Waioeka River Kayak Trips, RD1 Opotiki (meets at Riverview Cottage, Waioeka Gorge) Phone/Fax:+64 (07) 315 5553 e-mail: riverview.cottage@xtra.co.nz
	Graham Pyatt Trout Fishing Guide, has over twenty years experience fly fishing the rivers of the North Island of New Zealand, Peak View Cottage 4 Roache Rd, Opotiki 'Phone: +64-7-315-5531 'Phone Mobile: +64-272-866-062 Email: grahampyatt@xtra.co.nz
	Motu River Jet Boat Tours, Neville Walker RD 3 OPOTIKI 'Phone:+64 (07) 325 2735 e-mail motujet@xtra.co.nz
	AAA Jetboat Tours, SH 35, Motu River Bridge. Contact: Heremia & Hinemihi Delamere 'Phone Mobile: 027 686 6489
	Starlight Horse Treks We offer outdoor adventure Tours for Tourists, and Overseas Visitors, riding horseback in scenic areas within the Opotiki District 'Phone: 07 315 5116 'Phone Mobile: 027 4144 483
Gisborne
	Walks
	Riverside Walkway view the city from the banks of the Turanganui and Taruheru rivers.
	Heritage Walk, pick up a brochure from the Visitor Information Centre, 209 Grey Street. Which leads you around the historic sites of the town.
	Te Kuri Farm Walkway ,gives expansive views over Poverty Bay from the trig station. Walk takes approx 2.5 hours, and as with all trig walks involves uphill sections. The farm is closed to walkers during spring lambing.
	Grays Bush, 12 km from Gisborne, Back Ormond Road, bush walks in remnant native forest.
	Grays Hill Lookout above Grays Bush on Wamata Valley Road, views over Poverty Bay.
	Waihere Domain 15 km from Gisborne on Back Ormond Road, picnic area and swimming pool and play area surrounded by native bush. And bushwalk to Waihere Waterfall.
	Visit:
	Eastwood Hill Arboretum, 35 km from Gisborne on the road to Rere, set in a rambling park, with a variety of walkways this is a world-renowned tree and shrub collection. There are ponds and formal gardens. :Website:  www.eastwoodhill.org.nz
	The picturesque Rere Falls and Picnic Grounds and swimming hole are an additional 15km from Gisborne.
	The Gisborne Museum and Te Moana Maritime Museum display artifacts of both European and Maori origin, as well as art and photographic collections.
	Wyllie Cottage is a six-room cottage furnished in early colonial style. It is the oldest house still standing in Gisborne, built 1872.
	The Inner Harbour wharf and marina area has several cafes and restaurants, a place to relax and enjoy a drink or a meal on the waterfront.
	The beach, an integral part of many Kiwis lifestyle, swimming, surfing, fishing, or just relaxing on the golden sand. The Gisborne area has many beaches one of the closest and most popular is Wainui Beach 4km from town, with surf club and life guard patrols in Summer.
Activities:
·	Bay Discovery Cruises, Inner Harbour, Gisborne. 2 hour informative cruise of Poverty Bay including visit to Young Nick's Head, Captain Cooks landing place. Phone: +64 (06) 867 2039
	Whalerider Tours Enjoy a tour with Hone Taumaunu, cultural adviser to the movie "Whale Rider". Guided tours of Whangara, the place where the movie was filmed. View the whale props and waka used in the filming, stroll the beach and view the Marae (maori meeting house). Tours commence at Whangara which is a 25 minute drive from Gisborne. Allow approximately 2 hours. 'Phone: 06 868 6139
	TREV'S TOURS, Trevor Brown 200 Campbell Road Ngatapa RD2 GISBORNE Tour guide Trev provides expertly guided, quality small group tours throughout Eastland. Popular tour choices include: The Wine Trail, Discover Gisborne and The Ngatapa Valley Experience (which includes a visit to Eastwoodhill Arboretum). Other options include day trips along the East Coast or to the wilderness of Lake Waikaremoana. 'Phone: 06 863 9815 ;e-mail: trvbrown@gisborne.net.nz :Website: www.geocities.com/trevstours
	MV. Takitimu Bay Excursion. Enjoy a cruise on the lovingly restored MV. Takitimu. See Gisborne City from a different perspective. View Kaiti Hill, Sponge Bay, Young Nicks Head and more! A good 2 hour trip plus. Morning, Day or Evening. Group Bookings and Full Charters available by arrangement. 1921 Historical Restoration Project. :Website: www.gisbornenz.com/old_site/takitimu.html
	Sungate Recreation Hire, Ocean Kayaks, wave skis, surfboards, fishing rods, golf club and racquets for hire. 'Phone:  +64 (06) 868 1673
	Waimoana Horse Treks, Wainui Beach. One hour, two hour and twilight treks, taking in high country views, beach riding and everything in between. 'Phone: +64 (06) 868 8218 ;e-mail:  waimoana@ihug.co.nz
	Wines:
	The Gisborne area is if famous for its wines and there are numerous wineries open to the public. The visitor information centre and Gisborne visitors guides have information on places to visit and wine trails to follow.
South of Gisborne.
	Morere Hot Springs. Set in 364 hectares of native forest, are modern bathing facilities set in beautiful native bush with abundant native bird life, enjoy a variety of walks and a soak in the hot pools. 'Phone: +64 (06) 837 8856 :Website: www.morerehotsprings.com
Mahia Peninsula
	Stunning coastal views and beaches. Pre arranged visits to the local Maori community and ornately carved Marae. The perfect place to get away from it all and unwind.

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Revised: November 12, 2008