Activities in East Cape
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Morere Hot Springs
Just out of Wharerata State Forest, 55km from Gisborne, Morere Hot Springs burble up from a fault line in the beautiful Morere Springs Scenic Reserve. You might want to tackle the bushwalks (20 minutes to two hours) before taking the plunge. The main swimming pool is near the entrance, but a five-minute streamside walk through virgin rainforest leads to the bush setting of Nikau Baths. It’s actually ancient seawater that bubbles to the surface here at around 50°C, cooling by 10°C before being pumped into the small stainless-steel baths.
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Ngati Porou Visitors Centre
The welcoming Ngati Porou Visitors Centre has authentic local art for sale, but more importantly offers tailored cultural tours, including trips to Hikurangi. Standard options are a 4WD guided tour to Maui Whakairo (four hours), a sunrise tour (departs 4.30am), and guided tours to the summit (eight-hour/overnight). Prices run from $165 to $500 but vary greatly according to numbers. It also runs a pick-up/drop-off service to the mountain (each way $20 to $50), and can arrange marae stays, fishing, diving, horse trekking, surfing and kayaking.
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Motu River AAA Jet Boating
Motu River AAA Jet Boating includes an ecological and historical commentary from a Maori perspective (departs near Motu Bridge daily 1 December to 30 April, weather permitting).
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Sunshine Brewing Company
Sunshine Brewing Company, Gisborne’s own natural brewery, offers four quality beers including the famous Gisborne Gold and its big brother Green. Free tours and tastings by arrangement.
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Dive Tatapouri
Dive Tatapouri offers an array of watery activities including dive trips, snorkel hire, a reef ecology tour, shark-cage diving and even stingray feeding.
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KEW
Lovely wines across the board from this award-winning winery committed to sustainable winegrowing. Call ahead in winter or for guided tours and antipasto platters.
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Cidery
The Cidery is the apple-hued producer of Bulmers Original, Scrumpy, Harvest and pear ciders, with free tastings and factory viewings on offer.
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Matawhero
Home of a particularly buttery chardy. Enjoy your picnic in a lovely setting, accompanied by a tasting tray ($10, redeemable against purchase).
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Olympic Pool
Olympic Pool is a tepid 50m indoor/outdoor pool with a 98m wormlike waterslide ($3.50) and aquafitness classes ($6.50).
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Surfing With Frank
Surfing with Frank offers lessons ($50 to $75) as well as tours of the best local (and North Island) breaks.
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Millton
Sustainable, organic and biodynamic to boot. Linger for a picnic in the beautiful gardens.
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Tipuna Tours
Your best bet for an introduction to Whangara and meaningful insights into Maori culture is to take a tour with Tipuna Tours. Tailored, small-group tours are offered, including the Whale Rider Tour (two hours, $50 to $70) and trips around the sights of Gisborne and around the Pacific Coast Hwy to Opotiki.
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Surfit Charters
Awaken your sense of mortality with a shark-cage dive from Surfit Charters. Tamer fishing and snorkelling trips can also be arranged.
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Paradise Leisure Tours
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Freestyle NZ
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