Cruises to Gisborne

9 Reviews
Gisborne (Photo:S Curtis/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Gisborne

Gisborne is New Zealand's most easterly city and lays claim to being the first city in the world to see the sunrise every day. (Thousands of people flocked there to greet the new Millennium in 2000.) The most easterly point, East Cape Lighthouse, is another 170km further north. The city of 36,000 people is the largest in the Eastland region of New Zealand. While several cruise lines have been including Gisborne on their itineraries in recent years, the Eastland region is still largely unvisited by international travellers.

Sitting on Poverty Bay, at the confluence of three rivers (the Turanganui, the Waimata and the Taruheru) and within an easy drive of a string of beaches, both north and south, Gisborne is a water-lovers' paradise. The area was first settled by Maori around 700 years ago. The first European to arrive was Captain James Cook aboard the Endeavour who landed near the mouth of the Turanganui River in October 1769 -- just six months before he landed in Botany Bay (Australia). Cook named it Poverty Bay due to the area's perceived lack of fresh herbs, which he hoped to collect to starve off scurvy amongst the crew. It was actually one of Cook's crew, a 12-year-old cabin boy called Nicholas Young, who first sighted New Zealand and after whom the amazing landform, Young Nick's Head, at the southern end of Poverty Bay, is named. History fans can seek out the two statues of Captain Cook and determine which one is the 'fake', along with the statue of young Nick. Today's passengers will marvel at stunning white cliffs at the entrance to Poverty Bay and the rolling hills that can be seen from the beaches north of the city. Some 33km north is the village of Whangara well known for its impressive marae (Maori meeting place) and the location for the book and film, Whale Rider.

Gisborne is wine country -- the third largest producer of wine grapes in the country, after Marlborough and Napier and -- and New Zealand's Chardonnay capital. Around 16 wineries produce excellent chardonnay, viognier, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris and reds such as Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah and Grenache. Several such as Poverty Bay Winery, Kirkpatrick Estate and Wrights Vineyard & Winery have cellar doors open for tastings in the warmer months from October to April. The first stop is the Gisborne Wine Centre at the Inner Harbour cruise ship wharf, which showcases all the wine of the region. Beer lovers are catered for with a micro-brewery close to the port.

  • More about Gisborne

  • Why Cruise to Gisborne?

  • Gisborne Cruise Port Facilities?

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Regatta
Regatta

14 Night
Australia Cruise

423 Reviews
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Norwegian Sun
Norwegian Sun

15 Night
Australia Product

2,169 Reviews
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Westerdam
Westerdam

14 Night
New Zealand Holiday

1,113 Reviews
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Silver Nova
A rendering of Silversea's Silver Nova (Illustration: Silversea)

16 Night
Australia Cruise

15 Reviews
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14 Night
Australia Cruise

423 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

16 Night
Australia Cruise

267 Reviews
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14 Night
Australia Cruise

33 Reviews
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28 Night
New Zealand & South Australia Discovery Collector

829 Reviews
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14 Night
Australia Product

2,124 Reviews
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Cruise Critic Favorite

15 Night
Australia Cruise

267 Reviews
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14 Night
Australia Cruise

33 Reviews
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15 Night
Australia & New Zealand

166 Reviews
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22 Night
Australia Cruise

15 Reviews
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16 Night
Australia Cruise

150 Reviews
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9 Night
Australia & Pacific Cruise

3 Reviews
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More about Gisborne

Why Cruise to Gisborne?

Pros:

Wineries, beaches and lovely river walks  

Cons:

Tendering can be a slow process when the wind is up and the bay is choppy 

Bottom Line:

Book ahead to make the most of your visit to this rarely visited gem

Gisborne Cruise Port Facilities?

Gisborne is a tender port. Ships anchor in Poverty Bay with passengers tendered to the Inner Harbour, which is part of Eastland Port. This sheltered waterway is flanked by a marina dotted with yachts, new apartment buildings and a handful of restaurants. The harbour has several piers and sheds; most passengers will arrive on the wharf near Shed 3, which houses the excellent Gisborne Wine Centre. Apart from offering tastings and sales of wines of the region, its restaurant serves lunch and dinner. The Esplanade (a road) runs behind Shed 3 and from where passengers can pick up shuttle buses into the town, and also board the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus known as the Hopper Bus. Passengers are greeted with a Maori performance and once out of the port area, volunteer city ambassadors are often on hand to help with directions.

The cruise companies set up a marquee at the wharf manned by staff. It's an easy 10 to 15-minute walk to the city centre -- turn left when exiting the wharf at the Esplanade, then turn left again at Wainui Road, walk across the pedestrian bridge and you're there. Cafes near the port and marina offer Wi-Fi. The city's HB Williams Memorial Library, in Peel Street, has computers with free internet connection.

Good to Know?

Jumping off the old railway bridge (also called the train tracks bridge) is a ritual in Gisborne. Kids and young-at-heart adults line up to jump into the river below for fun and the amusement of visitors. The bridge is a short walk from Eastland Port.

Getting Around?

On Foot: It's an easy 500m walk into Gisborne from the port, and most attractions such as the Tairawhiti Museum and the Riverside Walk are close to the I-Site visitors centre. The town centre is small enough to easily stroll around. A car is needed if intending to visit the east coast beaches some 10km to 20km away.

By shuttle bus: A free shuttle takes passengers the short distance into town from the port to the town's I-Site visitor centre.

By Taxi: Pick up taxis in the town centre. Some may also be waiting at the port. As drivers may not take credit cards, always check first. (Gisborne Taxi Society 06 867 2222)

By Bus: A Hopper Bus (hop-on-hop-off) makes a one-hour loop from the wharf, leaving every 20 minutes or so. The bus stops at various tourist attractions including the Botanic Gardens, the museum and the craft market at Treble Court. Cost is A$10.

By Bicycle: Mountain bikes, commuter bikes, electric bikes and tandems are available for rent for two hours or half a day on weekdays and Saturday mornings at reasonable rates. (422 Gladstone Road, Gisborne, 06 867 4444 or 027 4713929; www.bikeys.co.nz) Other operators may also have rental bikes at the wharf.

Private tours: Independent travellers may find local tour operators at the port although it's best to book them in advance. Gisborne Tours runs trips to wineries and includes many of the city sights. Tailor-made tours can also be arranged. (Gisborne Tours; 021 204 1080; www.gisbornetours.nz).

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). Visit www.xe.com for current rates. Credit cards are widely accepted, although some taxis may not take them. ATMs are the best way to get local currency and there are several of these in town, at the banks (such as the ANZ Bank, Westpac and Bank of New Zealand) and other retail outlets such as petrol stations.

Language?

English is the official language. Many of the names of attractions are Maori and signs and instructions may be printed in both languages. The Gisborne and Eastland region of New Zealand has a strong Maori population.

Where You're Docked?

Ships anchor in Poverty Bay and tenders pull in at the Inner Harbour at Eastland Port, which is 500m from the heart of town.


Gisborne Cruise Reviews
Gisborne is a nice place to visit, but not really what I would call a must see destination. I have not been to Gisborne before, so it was good to see. We had a nice walk along the waterfront and beach.Read More
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blokartphil
Quick and efficient tenders brought us to the port where shuttles in to town were waiting. Very cute, friendly small city with a beautiful beach.Read More
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BetsyT
Nice small town to walk aroundRead More
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tanner.smith
Didn't do any excursions so cannot comment on those. The town itself was relatively smallRead More
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p8k

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