Gisborne

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Gisborne, New Zealand

Gisborne.png Gisborne - click for larger view
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45°5.923′S, 170°58.355′E
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Local chartlet

On the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, south of East Cape and 120nm north of Napier lies Gisborne, a small coastal town. Gisborne provides a quiet haven and an ideal point to stop for a night on your way to/from Wellington. The locality is famous for being the first point of New Zealand seen on Capt. James Cook's first voyage of discovery.

Cruising the region

This is a stop over point, an isolated and pretty city of about 35,000, Gisborne is well worth a visit. The marina/boat harbour is actually within the central business district.

Local Weather

See New Zealand

Gisborne is in the Portland weather zone.

Sources for Weather forecasts

Charts

Land Information NZ
NZ55 Cape Runaway to Table Cape (1:200000)
NZ5551 Plans on the East Coast (North Island (1:40000)
NZ5613 Poverty Bay and Approaches to Gisborne (1:24000)

Radio Nets

See New Zealand

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Gisborne Harbour Control monitors VHF 16.

Approach and Navigation

Entering Gisborne Harbour/Marina is better done in daylight and ideally with the chart. The route is dredged and well marked but at nights, lights, with the city lights in the background, can be confusing on your first visit. Don't hesitate to contact Gisborne Harbour control on channel 16 for help. If possible it's a good idea to follow another boat in.

Gisborne Marina and small boat harbour is about 300 metres up a river. As you enter you'll pass (on your starboard) a large ship dock.

As with all New Zeland ports, lights and markers are carefully maintained and can be relied on to operate.

Berthing Options

Call Harbour Control up on Ch 16. There are visitors berths in the small boat harbour/marina.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

There's a single marina/small boat harbour called Eastland Port Marina at Gisborne. With only 70 odd berths it is very small, but offers a full range of services. But you'll need to call ahead to ensure a reservation. Short term charges are relatively expensive compared to other NZ marinas.

Anchorages

You can anchor in Poverty Bay, although it can be a little rolly in an Easterly swell.

Offshore Islands and Groups

  • Portland Island about 15 nm south
  • East Island off East Cape 50 nm north

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Mostly tailoring to fishing, there is a reasonable range of shops for the small boat.

Repairs/Yards

Several small workshops and repair yards. As a rule you'll find these guys innovative and willing to tackle any problem. Appreciate that most locals will regard a visiting cruiiser as being very wealthy and so may not be concerned about taking a few extra hours or days on your project. So you really need to manage any work you need done.

The marina has a travel lift and hard stand area.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel
There are several service stations offering diesel, petrol and LPG within walking distance. The marina also has diesel.
Water
The tap water is clean, free and drinkable, with taps all around the marina.
Electricity
240 volt

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Cruisers as a rule will only be in Gisborne for a night or two. It's a small city servicing a wide agricultural area, and there is certainly much to see. The mraina is situated right in the midst of the central business district and the everything is within walking district. Start at the Tourist Information Centre where you'll find all manner of tourist promotions, trips and activities.

Due perhaps to its isolation, Gisborne is very much like walking back into the past and probably best represents New Zealand as it was 2 or 3 decades ago.

Grocery & Supply Stores

All within walking distance of the marina.

Eateries

The marina itself is the centre to many of the better bars, cafes and restaraunts.

Internet/WiFi

Available at some bars and cafes. Also see Internet in New Zealand.

Laundry

There's a coin operated laundry within a short taxi ride.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several firms within walking distance of the marina offer a range of rental cars.

Garbage Disposal

Dumpsters at the marina, along with oil recycling tank.

Transportation

Gisborne is relatively isolated, this problem was recently (2012) compounded when the railway line was washed away and hasn't been repaired. The state highway to the nearest city south, Napier, is a windy, narrow road. Going North is even worse, although picture perfect.

The small airport provides daily flights to/from Auckland, with less frequent flights to other domestic cities.

Routes/Passages To/From

To continue a southward journey, for most cruisers, you'll need at least a one day weather window to get to Napier (3 days to go directly to Wellington). There are no stops till Napier and you'll want to travel in a northerly. The scenery is excellent and interesting, but apart from a few villages the coast is bleak with few people. DO NOT attempt a transit between Portland Island off the southern tip of the Mahia Peninsula. Most vessels cut straight across Hawkes Bay from the southern end of Portland Island direct to Napier (if you plan to stop there) or towards Cape Kidnappers if the plan is further south

Continuing a passage north, you're likely to going around around East Cape. The Cape is nearly a 10 hour trip from Gisborne, running with a southerly and if it gets rough (and it often does in this part of the coast) there are several safe places you can ride it out. Check the chart and you'll see there are several sheltered bays north of Gisborne. But beware that it's easy to be trapped in a bay with an onshore gale for several days waiting for the wind to change. There's an transit between East Cape and East Island (Whangaokeno), but in rough weather perhaps best to go the long way round the island.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links


References & Publications

Publications, Guides, etc.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Grantmc


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