The region is located in the northeastern corner of the North Island and is also referred to as the East Cape or East Coast or Eastland region. It is a sparsely inhabited and isolated region, with small settlements mainly clinging to small bays along the eastern shore including Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay.
In contrast with the splendid seclusion of the forested hinterland of the Eastland region, Gisborne is a city where one can indulge in gourmet dining and wine tasting. Two major annual events are the Dawn Raid Beach Day Out, which is an outdoor concert featuring many of the Dawn Raid Hip-hop stars held in January, and the Rhythm & Vines concert held every New Years' Eve which features a huge concert featuring well-known New Zealand bands performing in a vineyard. Gisborne's white sand surf beaches attract surfers from all over the world – Captain Cook was the first, his ship Endeavour surfed into Kaiti Beach in 1769.
One of the most stunning areas for hiking and trekking in the hinterland is in the Te Urewera National Park, the third largest national park and the largest untouched native forest in New Zealand. The city of Gisborne is located at the north end of Poverty Bay. The white cliff headland of Young Nick's Head at the other end of the bay is visible from the city. In Gisborne a few Maori operators offer tours to local Marae (Maori meeting house), which allow visitors to experience an important part of Maori culture.
