Gisborne’s biggest claim to fame is that it is themost-eastern city in the world, and as such, gets to greet the sunrise first every day. Ofcourse catching at least one sunrise has to be on your must-do list while you’re here, but where exactly is the best place to do it? Opinions vary, but here’s what we (and the locals) think are your best choices.
East Cape Lighthouse
A winding gravel road with scenic views will bring you to the East Cape Lighthouse. The historic lighthouse is open to the public, and offers a truly spectacular view of the sunrise – there’s a catch though - there’s seven hundred steps to climb to get to the top. Just the thing to get the blood pumping and start your day right. It will all worth be it when you are rewarded by a truly unforgettable sight to remember.
Titirangi / Kaiti Hill
Overlooking Poverty Bay and all of Gisborne, this lookout sits in the middle of the 33 hectare Titirangi Reserve. There’s a Statue of Captain Cook that’s perfect for selfies, and of course a spectacular view of the sunrise to be had every day. There’s plenty of nature trails to explore and great places for a picnic, so why not make a day of it?
Mount Hikurangi
If you’re up for a real challenge, and want to be right where the sun first hits in the summertime, an hour out of town at Mount Hikurangi is the place to be. Steeped in Māori history, it is the North Island’s highest non-volcanic peak. There’s 4x4 options to get you part of the way, but if you want to go on foot, you can do a three or four hour trek to the historic Hikurangi Hut (that can be booked for an overnight stay) or go the full seven hours up to the peak. For mountaineers and the seriously fit only, but the views are utterly spectacular.
Wainui Beach
Famous for surfing and a great place to see the sunrise, Wainui Beach is four kilometres of spectacular coastline. With a little walking it is not hard to find a secluded spot, and the picturesque sand dunes are a popular spot for tourists and local brides alike.
Wherever you end up, your early start will be rewarded with a spectacular view – and you’ll always be able to say you’ve had an earlier morning no matter how early your alarm goes off from now on.
