Eastland - Regional Information

Eastland | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Eastland is a wild and enchanting place full of ancient stories. Catch the first sunrise of the world's new day and explore a coast that few people know well.

Featured Tourism Operators in Eastland

Eastland Overview

Eastland, New Zealand

Eastland reaches out to the Pacific Ocean, and is the first mainland place in the world to see the sun each day.

There's a wonderfully fresh quality to the scenery of Eastland. Bush fringed misty mountain lakes, beaches that have hardly changed for hundreds of years, farmland and vineyards that breathe the spirit of nature.

The further you go, the more nature's bounty tempts—camping, diving, fishing, hunting, swimming and surfing opportunities abound.

There are many interesting and beautiful walks within the region, but one of the most stunning areas for hiking and trekking is in the Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park and the largest untouched native forest in New Zealand. Soft adventure, such as horse trekking is another way to experience the magic of Eastland.

In contrast with the splendid seclusion of the forested hinterland, Gisborne is a city where you can indulge in gourmet dining and wine tasting.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Whangara the Home of Whale Rider, Eastland, New Zealand.

Whangara, Home of Whale Rider
Eastland
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)

You'll find the Southern Hemisphere's first commercially grown black truffles, the finest cheeses and Chardonnay to die for.

Gisborne's white sand surf beaches attract surfers from all over the world—Captain Cook was the first, his ship Endeavour surfed into Kaiti Beach in 1769.

Eastland Highlights

Eastland has many magical places to feed your soul and fill up your camera's memory card.

Make an appointment to visit picturesque Te Poho O Rawiri Marae. The interior of the whare rununga (meeting house) is almost completely covered in fine ancestor carvings and geometric tukutuku (woven panels).

Take part in the Whale Rider tour— the village where the movie was filmed.

Find Titirangi Domain and Kaiti Hill for views over the Poverty Bay area.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Eastwoodhill Arboretum, Eastland, New Zealand.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Eastland
Photographer: Tourism Eastland Inc
(www.gisbornenz.com)

Eastwoodhill Arboretum has the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees and shrubs in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hackfall's Arboretum has one of the largest private collections of Oak, Maple and Poplar trees in New Zealand.

Mahia Beach is a delightful holiday village with great fishing, surfing and diving, as well as safe swimming beaches and a nine hole golf course. An excellent range of accommodation is available, which makes it an ideal spot for a coastal get-away.

In the tiny coastal settlement of Te Araroa, you'll find Te Waha-o-Rerekohu—New Zealand's most ancient pohutukawa tree. It's more than 600 years old. Down the road in Tikitiki is St Mary's Church—one of the most ornate Maori churches in New Zealand.