How to Plan a Romantic Getaway or Couple’s Trip to Gisborne
Real Insights from Real Writers
The relaxing ambience, breathtaking coastal scenery and warm dry climate make Gisborne the ultimate place to honeymoon or take a romantic retreat.
Better yet, most international visitors don’t know about it or don’t have time to visit, leaving more of the beautiful beaches, romantic accommodations and indulgent restaurants to you.
Whether you’re the type of couple who loves active adventures or you’d rather sip on locally-produced wines, there’s something to suit all in Gisborne.
So, plan a romantic trip to remember with this complete honeymoon/couples guide to Gisborne.
Side note: Our tips are from travel writers who have genuinely visited Gisborne, not copied or generated by AI. Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about us!
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Gisborne for Couples
What does a romantic getaway to Gisborne look like in a nutshell? Here are some of the top experiences for couples:
- Hit the coastal railway on a tandem railbike adventure
- Take a romantic road trip to the coastal haven of the Mahia Peninsula
- Learn something new together, like surfing
- Snuggle up in a beanbag while watching a movie at the Dome Cinema
- Visit the romantic Rere Waterfall and Eastwoodhill Arboretum
- Do some stargazing on a special astronomy tour
- Taste Gisborne’s wines and craft beers
- Smell the flowers at the Botanical Garden
- Treat your loved one to a romantic dinner along the beachfront
- Watch the first sunrise together.
For elaboration on each experience, take a look at the 10 Romantic Activities in Gisborne.
© NZPocketGuide.comRomantic Adventure Activities
Couples are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor adventures in and around Gisborne.
Tandem Railbiking
Some of the most romantic experiences include railbiking! That’s right, The Gisborne Railbike Adventure has made special tandem cycles that allow couples to peddle side-by-side on a coastal railway between Gisborne and Wairoa.
There are 90 km (59 mi) of railway to enjoy, which are broken up into three different ride options incorporating bushclad valleys, tunnels, farmland and expansive ocean views.
Mahia Peninsula Day Trip
Speaking of coastal journeys, if you’d rather do a self-guided tour, take a road trip to the Mahia Peninsula. The golden sands, quaint villages and coastal landscape effortlessly set the scene for romance, so check out the 10 Mahia Peninsula Must-Dos and plan your trip.
Gisborne Astro Tours
On a clear night, simply lying back with your loved one and gazing at the southern hemisphere stars is a romantic experience. Enhance it further with a stargazing tour with Gisborne Astro Tours, located in Patutahi, away from any light pollution. Your astronomer guide will show you some of the rare celestial targets only seen from New Zealand’s latitude through a powerful telescope on a roof observatory.
More Adventures for Couples
For more inspiration for things to do, such as visiting the Botanical Garden, the romantic Rere Waterfall and Eastwoodhill Arboretum, check out the 10 Romantic Activities in Gisborne. Adventures beyond the “romantic” vibe can be found in our comprehensive 20 Best Things to Do in Gisborne.
© NZPocketGuide.comAll-Weather Romantic Activities
Despite Gisborne being one of the drier parts of New Zealand, it still has its fair share of rainy days. Don’t let it dampen your romantic getaway, as activities like beer and wine tasting will keep you dry while you wet your whistle.
Wine Tasting in Gisborne
Discover the tastes of the Gisborne wine region at cellar doors, such as the Bushmere Estate, Wrights Wines and Matawhero Estate, all offering tastings along with platters and other treats.
Alternatively, try a range of wines at the Gisborne Wine Centre in the city centre or opt for beer tasting at the Sunshine Brewery!
Find out more about these foodie experiences in the 10 Things to Do in Gisborne for Foodies.
Surfing and Learning to Surf
Strengthen your bond by learning something new together, like surfing! Gisborne is a surfing hotspot, where experienced surfers flock to Wainui Beach while newbies can learn on the safe sandy-bottom waves of Waikanae Beach – the main beach in Gisborne.
Couples have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a surf coach in Gisborne, including Surfing with Sarah, Salt Shack Surf School, and New Wave NZ. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about the rain, as you’ll be getting wet anyway.
For more ideas, check out the 10 Things to Do in Gisborne on a Rainy Day.
The Weather in Gisborne
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© NZPocketGuide.comRomantic Restaurants in Gisborne
Gisborne has many fantastic eateries to impress that special someone, from fine dining on the riverside to casual bistros.
The Flagship Eatery (14 Childers Road) is a cool little venue with exposed brick walls, bridge red doors and a delectable menu of eggs benedict, cajun lemon tofu scramble and house-made crumpets.
The Works (41 The Esplanade) offers more casual fine dining yet still elegant serving up the latest seasonal offerings with something to suit carnivores to vegetarians.
Other romantic options in Gisborne include Portofino (12 Peel Street), an Italian restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients.
A stunning place to watch the sunset and try Gisborne wines with your loved one is at the Crawford Road Kitchen (Esplanade Inner Harbour) with plates designed to be shared.
For a special trip out of town, head to the Bushmere Arms (673 Matawai Road, Waerenga-a-Hika), a charming historic pub set among flower gardens, making for a delightful setting for afternoon tea or dining on New Zealand beef and lamb dishes.
For more recommendations, check out The Food Guide to Gisborne.
Book Accommodation in Gisborne for Couples
- Tatapouri Bay
- Matawhero Wines
- Cedar House
- Portside Hotel – Heritage Collection
- Whispering Sands Beachfront Motel
- Waikanae Beach Ocean View Apartments
- Senator Motor Inn
- Emerald Hotel
For more information on our top recommendations, check out the 10 Best Romantic Accommodations in Gisborne.
More About Gisborne
That’s it for our guide to Gisborne; for more information about this beautiful city on the East Coast, check out the following articles:
- 20 Awesome Things to Do in Gisborne
- 10 Luxury Activities in Gisborne
- 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Gisborne
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to New Zealand.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- Tairāwhiti Gisborne (Regional tourism website)
- Gisborne District Council (Local council website)
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
