4WD Trails in Gisborne

Gisborne / Tairāwhiti is one of the less-visited 4WD regions on the North Island, which is part of its appeal. The East Cape coastline, the Raukūmara Ranges, and the Māhia Peninsula fringe offer real back-country driving without the crowds.

The Raukūmara Range has some of the most technically demanding tracks on the North Island — steep, muddy, and remote. The East Cape back-roads between Gisborne and East Cape Lighthouse are more accessible and give outstanding coastal scenery. Motu Road is a partly-unsealed scenic route that adds off-road character without extreme conditions.

Rain is significant in Gisborne — the region receives heavy falls particularly in winter. Most tracks are year-round accessible but summer gives the most reliable conditions.