Gisborne – The First City to See the Sun
Beautiful coastline, great food and wine, amazing surf beaches, strong culture, and the first city to see the sun. These are what define Gisborne, New Zealand and definitely the reasons to keep on coming back. Gisborne or “Great standing place of Kiwa” when translated into Maori, is a city in northeast New Zealand. It was originally known as Turanga but renamed to its present name in 1870 in honor of Colonial Secretary William Gisborne. Gisborne Airport (GIS) serves the city and is 7 minutes away from the city center.
Best Time to Visit
Gisborne is such a beautiful sight to see and experience. It’s best to visit when the weather is clear and warm. The best time to visit is from November to April. December is the busiest month for Gisborne, so it’s best to take note of this when booking hotel rooms and accommodations. It can also get quite crowded and not an ideal time for those who want to experience the remote coasts Gisborne is known for.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Learn more about Gisborne history and see the artworks in display at the Tairawhiti Museum. Head on over to Bushmere Estate and see the beautiful winery and sample a taste of the wine that Gisborne is known for. Of course, a visit to Gisborne is not complete without heading down to the beach. Visit the Midway Beach for swimming and maybe even catching a wave or two. Get a good night’s rest at the end of the day at the 5-star Emerald Hotel, which offers an outdoor pool, free high speed internet, café, and spa tub; the Portside Hotel Gisborne – Heritage Collection, which has dry cleaning and laundry services, free wifi, and garden.