Gisborne, Poverty Bay...my home town (proxams w/o)
Written: Nov 20 '01 (Updated Feb 21 '04)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: My home town
Cons: Off the beaten track
The Bottom Line: Captain Cook didn't think much of it but he missed a great little place.
|
|
|
| hollynz's Full Review: New Zealand |
===========================
As I had already written a review covering my home town I have taken this opportunity to update it and add a few tweaks here and there. Congrats to Drew for 2 years of entertaining reviews.
===================================================
Fancy calling a region Poverty Bay.
Fancy that region keeping the name for 200 years or so ... that's history for you.
Captain James Cook's first New Zealand landing was in Poverty Bay in 1769. Young Nick, the cabin boy, first sighted a headland here after the long ocean voyage and Captain Cook named it after him. With Cook's knack for naming places as it was, this headland carries the name 'Young Nick's Head'
How the bay got such an unflattering name...
Captain Cook was desperately low on water and food and was basically in dire straights after so long at sea when at long last, land was spotted.
With his crew suffering from scurvy he landed here wanting to replenish his supplies. After a skirmish with the locals he decided it would be wise to leave and restock his ship elsewhere, he disdainfully called the place Poverty Bay and moved on for greener pastures.
His next port of call proved to be extremely fruitful and was called Bay of Plenty.
================================
Poverty bay is a sweeping affair with the white cliffs of Young Nicks Head curling around to the right, the city of Gisborne sits along the northen end of the bay and the flats behind are fertile market gardens and vineyards. From here the encircling hills become more and more rugged, this is the sheep and cattle country.
Gisborne city must be one of the most isolated cities in the whole of New Zealand. About halfway up the east coast of the North Island. It is not on the way to anywhere and if you want to go there you have a gruelling drive through some of the windiest, hilliest country in the North Island.
It's one claim to fame is that it is the first city in the world to see the sunrise. The year 2000 was a biggy in Gisborne. People poured into the city from all over the world, a concert was organised and the city population doubled in size. The weather was a bit off for the turn of the century but there are some things you just can't control.
Summer is Gisborne's best asset. The days are long and hot, most summer days will be around 26c-32c.Some of the safest swimming beaches and best surf breaks in NZ are to be found here so it is an extremely popular holiday destination. With a pop.35,000 you will find all the services you need available but if you are into clubbing you might be a bit bored.
whats to do?
When I was growing up in Gisborne back in the 60's there wasn't much to do in town for us kids except the wide open spaces and the great beaches.
Occasionally a circus would come to town and of course there was the annual fair with rides and candy floss.
We did have three movie theaters and late night shopping on Friday nights was also a big deal.
I'm not sure that things have changed overly much but there are a few more things around for the kids these days. The Olympic Pool is popular with the kids... and parents for that matter as they can drop the kids here for the afternoon and head off for awhile. I know I would have loved this place if it had been there when I was a kid, especially the long winding water slide.
Mini golf, flea markets, horse riding treks, quad bike rides are also popular with the kids.
A shark-cage diving enterprise has been running for a few years if you are feeling particularly adventurous.
For the older set, after spending the day at the beach and once night falls there are nightclubs, pubs and bars and generally over the summer months, Gisborne attracts the best NZ bands to the region. It is a great place to visit over the summer and is a popular surfiing destination.
The wineries are top class with gold medal winners as well as quite a number of smaller wineries in the district. Those long, hot summers produce some good wine.
whats on?
Around New Years Eve there is a festive air with street performers, fire works nights and with a bit of effort from the local City Council, it is becoming a bit of a tourist attraction.
Every Labour Weekend (mid October) Gisborne holds a Wine and Food Festival
This festival is enormously popular and is the opportunity to showcase the local produce. The day revolves around wine, top chefs cooking up masterpieces and music.
Also in October, the show comes to town, just like it did when I was little. This is a bit bigger than it was in my day with way more rides in the fairground then I remember but it is still quite provincial with the showring filled with show jumping, stud breeders showing off their prized bulls, axe men competing in the wood chops....very quaint.
Of course, the main attraction is the beach. Gisborne has a spectacular beach which is safe for swimming and not too crowded. It has it's moments in the height of summer but if the crowds get you down a bit, head off down the road for a few miles and you will find a place away from the maddening crowd to sun bathe and swim.
You can rent surfboards and have lessons at Waikanae Beach. There are a few popular surf spots at the town beaches but the more popular breaks are a few minutes drive from the city. Heading north on Highway 35, you hit the surf spots like stock route, whales, the pines etc at Wainui beach, Okitu and Makorori beach.
Mahia Beach is about 30 minutes drive south and is another popular surfing spot.
downtown
Gisborne's shopping area is the main street ~ Gladstone Road ~ with shops on either side. The city has been revamped lately and looks quite attractive with palm trees on the sidewalks and new tiling.
The shopping itself is fairly standard, more along the lines of regular stores then designer fare.
It is a casual town and you will find the dress code is very informal.
Accommodation
There are lots of motels to choose from with a couple hotels as well. B & B's are increasingly popular and are a pretty good option in New Zealand.
I stick to motels when I stay here on our regular trips to town. There are two main areas for motels, the main street and along the beach front. If possible try to find a room by the beach ( Salisbury Road) as it is a lot quieter. Rooms run from (NZ)$75 through to (NZ)$ 160, depending on your choice of motel.
Some motels have full kitchens but some only go so far as a microwave and electric kettle and toaster.
Full kitchens are great for saving a few dollars as you can eat a bit cheaper by cooking for yourself.
Backpackers lodges are everywhere, the best one in my book is at Wainui beach which is about a 10 minute drive from the city centre but the location is superb.
Where to eat
Gisborne has come a long way since the 60's. There were a few old fashioned diner type cafes and a few ' posh ' restaurants back then.
When I was a kid the only fast food we knew about were Fish'n'Chips and meat pies. The colonel came to town in the mid 70's with the first American style fast food joint ... KFC.
Now of course you will find Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Burger King , Subway etc, etc ...
Ethnic food has taken off as well with various Indian, Italian, Thai, Chinese restaurants among others springing up all over the place.
The port area has had a revamp as well and gone are the dingy smelly fishing boats, now there are popular restaurants down here and it is a nice place to dine ... summer and winter.
The main street is lined with cafes and coffee houses which are hugely popular and reasonably cheap eating.
Best time to come?
~ Definately between October - March!
=========================
This sums up my home town. It was a great place to grow up in and was the sort of place where you left your doors unlocked and your windows open on hot summer nights.
Things have changed somewhat these days and like everywhere else, crime has reared it's ugly head here.
It is still a great town to raise the kids and kick back for a relaxing lifestyle by the sea and you can't beat a Gisborne summer ... I love it !!
=====================
WEBSITES
www.gisbornenz.co.nz
for the surfers out there...www.gisbornesurf.co.nz
www.destinationgisborne.co.nz
===================
East Cape - http://www.epinions.com/content_42955083396
Napier - http://www.epinions.com/content_2738790532
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Dec - Feb
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
hollynz
|
 in Hotels & Travel |
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Christine
Location: New Zealand
Reviews written: 144
Trusted by: 191 members
About Me:
~ In memory of Barbara ~
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.