Gisborne: Creekside trails, gardens and monthly market

When looking for a hotel in Gisborne, you can start by sorting options according to the themes of your stay: trails along Jacksons Creek, gardens, the market, sports or wildlife watching.

Trails along Jacksons Creek

The trails along Jacksons Creek in Gisborne are suitable for cycling and walking. One named route is the Jackson’s Creek Walk. It runs along grassy banks and large deciduous trees, from the Gisborne Botanic Gardens to Sankey Reserve. The landscape along the trail is shaped by two specific features: open, grassy banks and larger trees. The two endpoints also provide a reference for anyone planning to follow a particular section of the trail. You can distinguish between the trails along the creek described in general and the Jackson’s Creek Walk, with its stated endpoints.

Gardens and cultural heritage

Pedestrians can reach the Gisborne Botanic Gardens from the west and east via bridges over Jackson’s Creek. As access arrangements can change, check the entrances before your visit. The Māori taonga Tanemahuta, also known as Lord of the Forest, is located in the gardens. It was installed in 1996. This destination therefore combines a garden visit with a specific cultural connection. If you are interested in culture, Tanemahuta offers a named point of interest; the year places its installation in time.

Monthly market on Hamilton Street

The Gisborne Olde Time Market is held on the first Sunday of every month on Hamilton Street in Gisborne. The offerings include food and wine, fresh produce, handmade products and arts and crafts. Also available are clothing, accessories, jewellery, books, plants and fresh flowers. The selection therefore ranges from everyday necessities to handmade goods and items for the home or garden. The product mix may vary depending on the market date; check the date again before travelling. The first Sunday of the month is a useful planning reference, but you should confirm event dates before your trip.

Swimming and play

The Gisborne Aquatic Centre is located in the centre of Gisborne. Facilities include a heated lap pool, a warm-water pool for exercise and a pool for swimming lessons. The programme includes swimming lessons and aqua aerobics. The pools therefore differ in their stated purposes: swimming laps, exercising in warm water or swimming lessons. The Gisborne Adventure Playground offers a wide variety of play equipment for children of all ages. These two leisure destinations have different focuses and can help you organise activities for your stay according to your interests.

Kangaroo tours and wildlife watching

The Gisborne Golf Club’s Kangaroo Sightseeing Tours are conducted in a five-seat golf buggy. Kanga Tours offers tours on the grounds of the Gisborne Golf Club, where you can see around 200 wild Eastern Grey Kangaroos. This is an approximate figure, and wildlife sightings can naturally vary. If you are interested in wildlife watching, this tour offers a dedicated way to discover the wildlife on the golf club grounds.

Nearby: Mount Gisborne Reserve

Mount Gisborne Reserve is located near Gisborne. From the summit of the 100-metre-high volcanic hill, views extend to the Macedon Ranges, the Pyrete Range and Melbourne’s Central Business District; the summit also overlooks the township of Gisborne. Eastern Grey Kangaroos are often seen grazing in the reserve. Views and wildlife watching are two different aspects of the same destination. For your travel planning, the reserve can be distinguished from the trails and facilities in Gisborne itself and considered as a nearby attraction.

Discover more destinations: Mt Dandenong, Lilydale, Wonga Park, Belgrave, Keilor, Kew, Mt Waverley, Parkdale.

For the broader travel overview: Melbourne.