Bella Vista's Blog

When you visit a new city, it’s only natural to want to make the most of your time by seeing and doing as much as possible. To save you hours of searching the internet and scrolling through endless reviews, we’ve pulled together some of the most popular things to do in Gisborne in this handy list. It includes the main Gisborne tourist attractions so that you can rest assured that you’ll be experiencing all the very best highlights of our beautiful seaside city.
 

Gisborne Railbike Adventure
People land in Gisborne from all over New Zealand to experience the Railbike Adventure. Grab a friend, jump aboard a side-by-side tandem bike and cruise along the old rail tracks to see the countryside in a whole new way. Tours range from a quick one hour ride across the Waipaoa Bridge to a three and a half hour trip through the tiny coastal communities on the Mahia Peninsula. You can choose a standard bike which requires a reasonable amount of pedal power or opt for an e-bike to give you some welcome assistance. This is one of the top Gisborne attractions when it comes to outdoor activities, so make sure you put this one on your list!

                                  
 

Tatapouri Reef Stingrays
Keen on seeing a stingray up close and in the wild? Just 15 minutes out of Gisborne City is Tatapouri, where expert guides are on hand to help you interact safely with Wild Short Tail Stingrays, Eagle Rays and other reef creatures in their natural habitat. The reef ecology tour will take you over the reef in waders at low tide to stand among the incredible marine life as guides tell you all about the species you encounter. Bookings are essential and tour times are dependent on tides. This stingray experience is one of the most highly recommended Gisborne tourist attractions so make sure you make book early to avoid disappointment!

Sunrise tour at Maunga Hikurangi
If experiencing a Gisborne sunrise is on your radar, there’s no better place to do it than atop Hikurangi. You’ll jump in a four-wheel drive before dawn to climb to the top of the mountain and visit a sacred site of M?ori significance. See the sunrise over nine legendary M?ori carvings sitting high atop the hill and learn all about the incredible history of the carvings and the surrounding area. The tours are taken by Ngati Porou guides and include participation in a karakia—a traditional M?ori blessing. A light breakfast is included and you’ll receive a gift from the Ngati Porou tribe to remember your experience by. This is truly one of the most memorable and unique things to do in Gisborne.

                               
 

Visit the award-winning wineries
Gisborne produces some of the country’s best chardonnay and pinot noir, and our wineries are one of our top Gisborne attractions… So a visit wouldn’t be complete without taking yourself on a little winery tour! Bushmere Estate offers beautiful outdoor space and mouth-watering degustation menus, Poverty Bay Wines has an award-winning cellar door and Matawhero Wines has a long, interesting history and a Gewürztramineryou simply must try! Most of the wineries are within a 15-minute drive from our Gisborne motel, or you can cycle your way around the wineries if you want to break up your visits with a bit of fresh air.
 

Waikanae Beach
We couldn’t leave a beach trip off our list! Waikanae Beach is one of Gisborne’s best tourist attractions and popular with the locals too. Stroll along the sand, set up for a day of swimming and sunbathing or have a go at surfing if you want to try something new. Waikanae beach is only a five-minute drive or a half hour walk from our Gisborne motel and we’re happy to point you in the right direction – just pop in to reception and ask!