Things to do in East Cape
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East Coast Museum of Technology & Transport
The East Coast Museum of Technology & Transport is an improbable collation of rusty tractors, lawn mowers, engines, spanners, ploughs, ovens, chainsaws, trucks, pumps, harvesters, motorbikes and so on – a shrine to peoples’ inventive capacity or their ability to horde junk?
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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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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USSCO Bar & Bistro
Housed in the restored Union Steam Ship Company building (hence the name), this place is all class. The talented chef-owner demonstrates silky kitchen skills through a varied and exciting menu featuring the likes of roast duck with coconut sauce, crispy polenta and braised red cabbage. Devilishly good desserts and a drinks list sporting plenty of local wines and NZ beers. Live piano Tuesday to Saturday.
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Tairawhiti Museum
The Tairawhiti Museum focuses on East Coast Maori and colonial history. Its gallery is Gisborne’s arts hub, with rotating exhibits, and the permanent display of ‘Shutterbug Jack’s’ photographs is not to be missed. There’s a tearoom-style cafe overlooking Kelvin Park, and outside is the reconstructed Wyllie Cottage (1872), Gisborne’s oldest house.
The Te Moana Maritime Museum occupies a wing of the Tairawhiti complex. When the Star of Canada foundered on a Gisborne reef in 1912, the ship’s bridge and captain’s cabin were salvaged, installed in a local home, then later moved here for restoration. Displays on waka, whaling and Cook’s Poverty Bay visit pale be…
reviewed
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Eastwoodhill Arboretum
Arboreal nirvana, Eastwoodhill Arboretum is 35km northwest of Gisborne. Staggeringly beautiful, you could easily lose a day wandering around the 25km of themed tracks in this pine-scented paradise. It’s the country’s largest collection of imported trees and shrubs, but the birds love it just the same.
reviewed
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Bookshop Café
Situated above Muirs Bookshop in a heritage building, this place has stripped-brick walls, exposed rafters, lovely leadlights, and a veranda over the street, along with a small but sweet selection of counter food and excellent salads. Fans of Supreme coffee and literature may need to be forcibly removed.
reviewed
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Kahungunu Marae
Not far from the Nuhaka roundabout is Kahungunu Marae. From the street you can note the carving at the house’s apex of a standing warrior holding a taiaha (spear). It’s less stylised than most traditional carving, opting for simple realism.
reviewed
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Pacific Coast Macadamias
Heaven is a tub of homemade macadamia and honey ice cream at Pacific Coast Macadamias, accompanied by views along one of the most spectacular parts of the coast. Toasted sandwiches and nutty sweet treats make this a great lunch stop.
reviewed
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Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company
Just off the main street, Tolaga Bay Cashmere Company inhabits the art-deco former council building. You can watch the knitters at work and then purchase one of their delicate, pricey handiworks; the seconds are sold at a discount.
reviewed
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Wharf Café Bar Restaurant
Overlooking the harbour, this is modern Gisborne dining at its best. Smooth tunes waft through an elegant interior; excellent fish dishes swim through the menu. The outdoor concourse is perfect for a crisp morning coffee or a balmy evening beer.
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Café 1874
The creaky old grandeur of the Poverty Bay gentleman’s club (1874) is reason enough to visit. This cafe within it certainly adds impetus: appealing counter food, all-day brunch, blackboard specials, reasonable prices and a pleasant garden.
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Fettuccine Brothers
A highly polished yet relaxed affair with separate bar (live music Wednesday to Friday). The menu runs the gamut from garlic bread and antipasto, through to pasta and mammoth steaks. We give the spaghetti marinara the big thumbs up.
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Te Poho o Rawiri Marae
Te Poho o Rawiri Marae has an elaborately carved meeting house. You can get a decent view from the gates but you’ll need to call ahead to ask for permission to view the decorated interior.
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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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Zest
Zealously zesty with its lime green frontage, this popular cafe serves good coffee, and a range of sweets, sandwiches, salads and blackboard specials using seasonal and organic produce where possible.
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Café Ruba
Urbane Ruba is Gizzy’s most stylish daytime stop, offering substantial breakfasts, sandwiches to order (on homemade bread) and adventurous lunches. Finish with strong coffee or an afternoon tipple.
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Kingfisher
This relative newcomer has set up in a grand old banking chamber. Attentive staff, music that’s not too loud, pool table and proper crispy pizza served from the joint next door.
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Presbyterian Church
The historic Presbyterian Church is the only building in the village to have survived Te Kooti’s 1868 raid. It’s a sweetly simple affair with lovingly tended gardens.
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Te Tauihu Turanga Whakamana
Te Tauihu Turanga Whakamana is a large modern Maori sculpture incorporating the images of two men killed during Cook’s first interaction with the locals.
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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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East Cape Manuka Company
The progressive East Cape Manuka Company sells soaps, oils, creams and honey made from potent East Cape manuka. Stop for coffee and kai (food).
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Just Thai Cuisine
A reliable purveyor of traditional Thai classics, housed in a refreshingly simple street-corner room overlooking the Taruheru River. Worthy espresso and fine teas.
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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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