Gisborne Town & Coastal Drive
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Port
Gisborne, New Zealand
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$69.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 1½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Sunny Gisborne, New Zealand's easternmost city, played an important role in European history, as it was here that Captain James Cook first set foot in New Zealand in 1769. A popular vacation destination, Gisborne is known for its rustic charms and picturesque scenery.
Board your comfortable motorcoach and set off on a panoramic orientation drive.
Watch for the spot where Captain Cook, the English explorer who discovered the area, first landed and met the Maori people who were New Zealand's early settlers.
Travel up Titirangi (Kaiti) Hill for a photo opportunity, passing a stately marae (a Maori meeting area and house) considered to be the largest in New Zealand. From the top of the hill, you're treated to spectacular views of Poverty Bay and Young Nick's Head -- the latter is the first piece of New Zealand land ever sighted by James Cook's crew, and it was named for the young lad who spied it. Your ship at anchor also features in the panorama.
Wainui and Okitu Beaches draw top surfers to hang ten in the neighborhood. Keep your camera ready for a stop at the sand dunes of Lysnar Reserve.
In just a few miles, the scenery changes dramatically, and you'll find yourself in Gisborne's idyllic rural area. Sand gives way to miles and miles of healthy grape vines producing some stunning Hawke's Bay wines. Thirty percent of all wines produced in New Zealand come from this region. Sweet-smelling orchards, award-winning vineyards, and lush, fertile plains border the roads.
On your return to the city, you'll travel down the main shopping street -- tree-lined Gladstone Road -- with pretty boutiques, souvenir stores, surf shops, and colorful outdoor cafés.
Guests wishing to stay in town to shop or explore independently are welcome to do so, but must make their own way back to the ship.