Cheap Flights to Gisborne

What are the best things to do in Gisborne?

Eastwoodhill Arboretum

This National Arboretum of New Zealand has a large collection of local and exotic plants to check out when you book cheap flights to Gisborne. It also boasts the largest collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator. Eastwoodhill Arboretum is always beautiful, but if you book flights to Gisborne in autumn, you’ll experience it at its best. Throughout the season, trees come alive with vibrant foliage and Japanese cherry blossoms. There are six walking paths around the Arboretum where visitors can admire the many plants on display.

Kaiti Hill

Kaiti Hill is located a short distance south of the CBD in Titirangi Domain. There are several viewpoints on the hill looking out over Poverty Bay and central Gisborne. Kaiti Hill is also a place of historical significance to visit when you book return flights to Gisborne. It’s an ancestral site of the Ngati Oneone Hapu Maori tribe, and it’s the spot where Captain Cook came ashore in 1769 after first sighting NZ. There are walking tracks on Kaiti Hill, plus multiple landmarks to check out including a WWII gun emplacement and James Cook Observatory.

Makorori Beach

There are dozens of beautiful beaches to see while holidaying on flights to Gisborne. Makorori Beach is a popular one that’s a ten minute drive from the CBD. Like most beaches around the region, Makorori Beach is known for its great surfing. Make sure it’s on your list of things to do if you’re a seasoned surfer, or consider taking a lesson if you’re new to surfing. Back onshore, make your way to the Makorori Headland on the southern end of the beach where you’ll find walking trails leading to gorgeous coastal views.

What are the best restaurants and cafes in Gisborne?

The Marina Restaurant

Marina Restaurant is a spectacular dining spot located at the confluence of the Taruheru and Waimata Rivers. It serves modern French cuisine and is one of the most popular restaurants to check out while holidaying on flights to Gisborne. A fine dining à la carte menu is served in the evenings, while a more casual bistro menu is available for lunch. Plan a meal at Marina Restaurant when you book cheap flights to Gisborne for creative and tasty dishes like homemade tagliatelle pasta with creamy blue cheese sauce, seared duck breast with polenta, and rib-eye with red wine butter.

USSCo Bar & Bistro

USSCo serves an extensive bistro menu centred around simple flavours and seasonal produce. It’s located inside a historic CBD building that was once a shipping company, adding a cool rustic vibe. The menu is updated with new dishes daily and accommodates different diets, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Some dishes you might find on the USSCo menu while holidaying on flights to Gisborne include fish of the day with baked ricotta gnocchi, pork belly with celeriac puree, and eye fillet with potato gratin and prawns.

Zest Cafe

Grabbing a coffee and meal at Zest Cafe is the perfect way to start a day of sightseeing in between return flights to Gisborne. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, serving cafe staples alongside high-quality pastries and coffee drinks. Eggs benedict with bacon or salmon, pancakes with berry coulis, and barbecue chicken and avocado burgers are some of Zest Cafe’s dishes to try when you book airfare to Gisborne.

What is the best way to get around Gisborne?

It’s possible to explore central Gisborne on foot, but having a car is the best way to get around while travelling on return flights to Gisborne. Hiring a car will allow you to see the area like a local and head to landmarks outside the city. You can rent a car through Webjet once you’ve booked tickets to Gisborne. Rental cars come in all shapes and sizes and are available to pick up from Gisborne Airport (GIS).

There is a small bus network operating around Gisborne. It’s called GizzyBus and has two routes travelling between the CBD and suburbs. Note that buses only operate Monday through Friday between 7am and 5:40pm, so you won’t be able to catch the bus if you book airfare to Gisborne for the weekend. Tickets to Gisborne’s buses cost $2 NZD.

How much time should I spend in Gisborne?

Take in everything the area has to offer by booking cheap flights to Gisborne for three to five days. Make the most of a long weekend getaway by basing yourself in the centre and renting a car to explore beaches and natural landmarks of the region. Booking flights into Gisborne Airport (GIS) for a bit longer will allow you to see the area at a slower and more relaxed pace – the best way to experience the nature and culture of Gisborne.