Gisborne Airport is the start of a fantastic Northland adventure: filled with rugged landscapes, ample nature, culture to learn about and explore, and wild oceans to dive into.
With the weather varying by the season, come prepared for all kinds of weather. Gisborne is known for colder days in the winter months but ample sunshine and warmth in the summer. Nevertheless, whatever season you visit in, it’ll be beautiful.
Pick up your rental car when you arrive at Gisborne Airport. Our friendly team will be happy to advise you on whatever your needs might be. You can enjoy your holiday in Gisborne with ease, with your rental car taking you wherever you want to go visit.
Learn About the History and Culture of Gisborne with Hertz
The town of Gisborne is steeped in rich Māori history. This is a great town to visit if you are particularly interested in learning about Māori history, culture, and traditions.
It might be unknown to you, but Gisborne is the first place in the world to welcome the dawn of a new day. Indeed, the sunrise here is the first in the world each morning, and the best way to experience it is atop the sacred Maunga Hikurangi. The highest peak in the Gisborne region, Maunga Hikurangi gets the first light of each day, which you can experience with the people of Ngāti Porou. We advise that you book a tour to help you get here and get the most out of this experience. The guides will teach you about Māori Gods, the mountain’s history and its significance to the people here, as well as legendary tales. It’ll be an unforgettable morning and one that you should definitely try to experience.
From here, we recommend heading into Gisborne Port to further your learning about the city’s rich Māori culture and history. You can board a Waka Hourua, a traditional Māori water vessel, before learning about the Māori voyagers, their history and tales, and how they used to navigate through the water. If you still want to learn more about Māori history, then perhaps pay a visit to the Tairāwhiti Museum. This museum is filled with the history and culture of Gisborne and New Zealand, as well as ample artwork, traditional textiles, and carvings too.
Discover Gisborne and Beyond in your Rental Car
While you’re in Gisborne, you should try their specialty produce. Gisborne is known as the ‘Capital of Chardonnay’, so visit a winery while you’re in town. The Bushmere Estate is a fantastic boutique winery that produces ample Chardonnay and delicious food, and we recommend it for a visit. If you are trying wine, pay attention to the driving laws, and have a designated driver within your party.
There are also plenty of places to eat in and around Gisborne. This town is home to delicious food options, like the Rivers Restaurant and Bar, The Works, and the Crawford Road Kitchen. Each eatery offers delicious options and would be the perfect way to end a busy day of exploring.
Further afield, Taupo and Rotorua are just four hours away by car, which is the perfect distance for an overnight stay. Rotorua is a fantastic town steeped in Māori history too and is a hub of geothermal activity. You can witness bubbling mud pools and geysers and experience the hot springs here. Taupo is home to New Zealand’s most visited natural tourist attraction. Indeed, Huka Falls has over 220,000 litres of water thundering through every second, and it is simply incredible to watch.
Gisborne is a beautiful town and one that is bursting with history and culture. You'll find plenty to do and see while on holiday here from the incredible sunrise atop Maunga Hikurangi to the wineries, museums, and more. With a Hertz rental car, you’ll be able to quickly get around the town and have an easy time getting to other destinations throughout New Zealand.
We look forward to welcoming you to Gisborne soon, at Hertz Gisborne Airport.
