Gisborne East Coast road trip: 7 must-see places

The East Cape of New Zealand is a stunning place to visit, with an endless coastline stretching as far as the eye can see. Take the time to slow down and really see what’s on offer with your Gisborne East Coast road trip, exploring as much history, culture and nature as possible along the way.

We’ve put together the perfect campervan route to help you make the most of your time on the road, without missing any of the top places along the way. Happy travels!

Best road trip around Gisborne & the East Coast: 7 places you can’t miss

Total distance: about 555km | Recommended days: from 7 days | Best time to do the route: between December and March | See route in Google Maps

1. Wainui Beach

This is the perfect first stop on any Gisborne East Coast road trip, offering stretching beach views that go on for days. Hit the beach as soon as you arrive and ride the waves. This beach is well-known for its quality surf, which has contributed to the culture you’ll find in the area.

If you’re looking to try something just a little bit different, try your hand at hammock camping! Hope out of that caravan and find two trees suited to the task. You can camp anywhere on the beach and really soak up the amazing lifestyle around you with your travel buddies.

Wondering what else to do during your stay? Watch the sunrise in the early morning and enjoy the perfect start to the day. Head off on a walk or cycle down the Wainui Beach cycle tracker, which is a smooth 6km ride.

If you’re up for it, discover a little more about the history of the place, including the catastrophic day that 59 sperm whales swam into the shallows and died. This event is well ingrained in the community here.

2. Tolaga Bay

Start your trip off at Tolaga wharf, which is famous for its fishing. If you don’t feel like dropping a line yourself, you can settle back and watch the masters at work while enjoying the views. The wharf is 660 metres long and holds a very special part in Tairawhiti history, as the best place to catch a fish. While in the past it was used as a trading port, it has now been restored as a beloved spot for fishing.

If you have a couple of hours to spare then head to the Cook’s Cove Walkway, which offers a stunning bushwalk to the spot where Captain Cook restocked and repaired his ship. Along the way, you can enjoy a lookout point with some amazing views of Cooks Cove, before continuing down to the cove itself. Sit back with a picnic and transport your mind back to all those years ago where history was being made back in 1769.

3. Tokomaru Bay

Welcome to this amazing beachside community that is well worth the visit on your Gisborne East Coast road trip. If you’re going to stop anywhere, make sure you pay a visit to the Te Puka Tavern, which is right in the heart of the bay and provides some amazing food with some fabulous scenery.

The beaches are also well worth the visit. It’s the perfect place to head out for a surf, or simply to jump some waves and have some fun. If you’re looking for a new experience, then head off on a Tokomaru Horse Trek.

If you’re up for a spot of golf, then this is the place to try it out. The Te Puia Golf Course offers some amazing views over Waipiro Bay, so you can soak up some sights while having a swing of your club.

4. Tikitiki

While just a very small town, this place makes the perfect stop on your road trip. Start over at St Mary’s Church, which was built in 1924 as a memorial to the local soldiers from there who died fighting in the First World War. They were from the local Iwi or tribe, Ngati Porou. The church itself is a sight to see and is considered one of the nicest in New Zealand with stunning detail, such as carvings, and woven panels.

Make your way to Rangitukia Beach, where you can really immerse yourself into the surrounding wilderness. You can go for a simple stroll along the beach to soak it up at your own pace, or you can head off on one of their horse riding tours offered there and try something just a little bit different.

Finally, if you’re up for it, make the hike up Mount Hikurangi, which is the highest non-volcanic peak on the North Island. You can check out some historic carvings from the legendary Maui along the way. Maui is said to have fished New Zealand out of the ocean. Once you reach the top, it’s time to take a breather and check out those views!

5. Te Araroa

It’s time to get your hiking boots on to check out the amazing landscape New Zealand has to offer. Head to the East Cape Lighthouse, which is one of the most interesting places you will stop during your trip. It takes 750 stairs to reach the top, where you can watch the sun come up. In return, you will be greeted with stunning views of the island, including all the forests, beaches and so much more. You won’t want to ever come down.

Have you ever heard of Manuka Oil? It’s widely used in creams, honeys, shampoos and so much more. You have the perfect opportunity to check out Cape Manuka Café and pick up a bottle of the delicious Manuka honey which is made onsite at the factory. You can even head in for a wander if you have the time.

Finally, you won’t want to miss New Zealand’s largest Pohutukawa tree, which is New Zealand’s ‘Christmas tree’ that blooms red flowers at Christmas time. It’s the perfect spot to take a stroll around and soak up from all angles.

6. Opotiki

If you’re looking for a little adventure on your trip, then this is where you’ll find it. You can cycle, fish, surf, or climb with the many attractions on offer. Start on the Motu Trails, which are a must during your stay. These bike trails can all be tackled together in a loop, or take them one at a time and dive into the heart of Bay of Plenty.

Time to relax a little and take your van for a spin down the Waioeka Gorge. It’s a stunning scenic route that is thick with rainforest with plenty of history throughout. Simply stop off at the sign-posted points of interest to read the history of the area and take your very own self-guided tour.

Soak up a little more nature at the Hukutaia Domain, where you can visit the famous Burial Tree. It’s said to be more than 2,000 years old, once housing the bones of the dead. A storm once exposed these bones, which have since been buried elsewhere. You can also visit the Opotiki Museum, where you can learn a little more about the town and view some Maori artefacts.

7. Whakatane

Last stop on your Gisborne East Coast road trip, you will want to stay and explore Whakatane for days on end. You can enjoy a spot of fishing, head off for some adventure sports thrill, get into nature, or relax back in some of their natural hot springs. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Make sure you pay a visit to Ohope Beach, which is well-regarded as one of New Zealand's favourite beaches, which is 11km of white sand. The beach is only accessible by foot or kayak, making it even more magical and worth the effort.

Throw on those walking shoes and take a hike through the Footprints of Toi walking trail. It takes you through some historic sites in the area, with plenty of coastal views, native forest, seabird colonies and so much more. There are three scenic reserves along the way, with information boards to help you learn more along the way.

Organise your Gisborne road trip With Camplify

Taking off on a Gisborne East Coast road trip is the perfect way to see some of the North Island of New Zealand and offers the perfect taster for many campervan trips to come. Once you sort out campervan hire in Gisborne, it’s time to hit the open road and explore this gorgeous coastline that stretches on and on.

If you’re not quite ready to come home, extend your trip and head further to Tauranga, Hamilton and then Auckland, where you can see so much more of this gorgeous place. Alternatively, start further south with our Napier to Gisborne road trip itinerary!

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