Eastwoodhill Arboretum Walks, Gisborne

Quick Facts

About Eastwoodhill

Eastwoodhill is New Zealand’s national arboretum, started by one man, William Douglas Cook, who began planting a bare hillside in 1910. It now covers 131 hectares and holds the most comprehensive collection of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator, over 25,000 different taxa of trees, shrubs and climbers.

There are 25 km of walking trails through it, and it’s genuinely one of the better half-day outings in the Gisborne region. Autumn is the standout season, when the oaks, maples, ash and liquidambars put on a proper show. Spring brings magnolias, daffodils and blossom. Even winter has a quiet, atmospheric appeal.

Note that Eastwoodhill has an entry fee, so it’s not a free walk in the usual sense, but it’s well worth the cost.

Getting There

Drive from Gisborne via Wharekopae Road through the Ngatapa Valley. It’s 35 km, about 30 minutes. No public transport — you’ll need a car. Pick up a track map at the visitor centre on arrival, or download one from eastwoodhill.org.nz before you go.

The Walks

There are six colour-coded walks to choose from. Here’s a quick summary:

Which walk to pick:

• First visit, limited time — the Yellow Walk covers most of the arboretum without much climbing, and the extended version gets you up to Arataitei, the highest point, for views over the surrounding countryside
• Native trees — the Red Walk takes you through Douglas Cook’s original native plantings and the Native Reserve
• Flattest option — the Blue Walk meanders through Cabin Park and the deciduous trees of The Circus, Corner Park and Pear Park
• Best views — the Purple Walk skirts the higher ridges with good views across Douglas Park and Glen Douglas
• Half a day to spare — the Green Walk covers the full extent of the arboretum from lowest to highest point

Track surfaces can get muddy and slippery after rain. Solid shoes or tramping boots are recommended for the longer and steeper tracks.

What You’ll See

The species list is vast — scarlet oaks, coastal redwoods, maples, liquidambars, magnolias, cherries, Serbian spruce and hundreds more. The seasonal highlights are worth timing your visit around:

• Autumn (April-May) — the best time, with fiery colour from oaks, maples and liquidambars
• Spring (September-October) — magnolias, daffodils, prunus and cherry blossom
• Summer — green and shady, good for walking on hot days
• Winter — quieter and more atmospheric, lichen-covered bark, bare structure of the trees

Birdlife in the canopy includes tui, kotare, piwakawaka and ruru. There’s a children’s playground, a discovery centre, and the historic one-hectare homestead garden near the visitor centre is worth a look.

Important Stuff

• Entry fee applies — pay at the visitor centre on arrival
• No dogs
• The on-site café is a good stop before or after your walk (check ahead — it may not operate in bad weather)
• Mobility scooters are available on site for less mobile visitors
• Cell coverage can be limited inside the arboretum
• Guided tours are available at additional cost — contact them on +64 6 863 9003

Other Walks Nearby

Rere Falls and Rockslide is about 10 km away and makes an easy combination — both are inland from Gisborne in the same direction. See all options on the Gisborne Walks hub.