Car Rental Gisborne Airport

You’ve arrived at Gisborne Airport! Get ready for a Northland adventure, where there are plenty of mountains to hike, culture to explore, and ocean to see. 

Gisborne is the first place in the world to see the sunrise each day, which makes it pretty magical. You’ll have to wake up early to make the most of the beautiful area: each day of your Gisborne adventure will be filled with adventures. 

The weather in Gisborne varies by season. Come prepared in winter for chilly days and nights but embrace the Northland warmth come summertime. Whatever the weather, you’ll have a beauty of a trip with Thrifty at Gisborne Airport!

Take in The Culture with Thrifty and Gisborne Airport 

Gisborne is an area steeped in history and culture. If you are interested in learning about the Māori history, traditions, and culture, then Gisborne is the perfect place for you.

Start the day with a sunrise atop the sacred Maunga Hikurangi with the people of Ngāti Porou. This is the highest peak in the Gisbourne region and you’ll be the first people in the world to welcome in the new dawn while you’re there. Book a tour to help you get here and you’ll spend the morning learning about Māori Gods, legends, and the mountain’s significant history! It’s a morning you won’t want to miss. 

Embrace this city’s rich Māori culture and head to Gisborne Port to board a traditional Waka Hourua, where you can learn about Māori voyagers, their navigation systems, and their history! After this, why not head to the Tairāwhiti Museum. Here, you’ll see traditional textiles, artwork, and carvings as you learn yet more about the history and culture of the city and New Zealand itself. 

Amidst all this learning, don’t forget to stop for a bite to eat! Gisborne is home to some gorgeous dining options, like Crawford Road Kitchen, The Rivers Restaurant and Bar, and The Works! While we are here, we might mention that Gisborne is also known as the Capital of Chardonnay, but make sure when you’re trying this delicacy out, to always drive safely and within the law in your Thrifty rental!

Drive the Roads of Gisborne and More, with Thrifty

Gisborne is just an hour’s drive from Christchurch, another city steeped in culture. Famed for its street art, Christchurch is the perfect place for a day trip - embrace the art and culture scene and enjoy live music as you relax and explore. 

For those wanting to hike, New Zealand always has a picture-perfect one just around the corner! Gisborne is home to some fantastic hikes - like Maunga Hikurangi, for example, where you’ll see the sunrise. Elsewhere, beautiful ones like Te Kuri Walkway will give you a gorgeous view overlooking Gisborne. 

Or, if you fancy a longer road trip, the towns of Taupo and Rotorua are both under four hours away and are fantastic spots to visit. Rotorua is full of adventures and fun, like bubbling mud pools, geysers, and natural hot springs! Taupo is home to Huka Falls, which is New Zealand’s most visited tourist attraction. Huka Falls is a stunning waterfall that has over 220,000 litres of water thunder past every second. 

Gisborne and its surrounding areas offer plenty to do, see, and explore. As always, pack for every kind of adventure in your Thrifty rental as you take to the roads of this city, and beyond. If you’d like to see more Thrifty rental spots, head to our destination guide! We can’t wait to welcome you at Thrifty Gisborne Airport.