Getting There & Getting Around -- By Plane -- Air New Zealand Link (tel. 06/867-1608) operates daily flights from major New Zealand cities. Don't be shocked by the fact that aircraft share the runway with a railway line. Planes give way to the freight trains, and there are no problems. For airport transport, call Link Shuttles (tel. 06/867-4765).

By Coach (Bus) -- InterCity (tel. 06/868-6196) offers daily bus service to Gisborne from Auckland, Wellington, and Rotorua. Coachrite (tel. 06/868-9969) travels to Hastings Monday through Friday. City buses operate Monday through Friday only, but Gisborne is better explored by car or taxi.

By Shuttle -- Shuttle buses provide transportation around East Cape between Opotiki and Gisborne. They leave daily from the visitor centers in both towns, which can provide information on schedules and fares.

By Taxi -- Call the Gisborne Taxi Society (tel. 06/867-2222).

By Car -- No matter which route you take to Gisborne -- via East Cape, via Waioweka Gorge, or via Napier -- you're in for a long and winding drive. By far the most interesting way, via East Cape, is also by far the longest. To make the most of the rich culture and stunning scenery in this area, you really need to stop overnight halfway (at Hicks Bay perhaps). Otherwise, be prepared to be on the road for 8 to 10 hours once you leave Opotiki.

Orientation -- Gisborne is on the northern shore of Poverty Bay, where the Waimata and Taruheru come together to form the Turanganui River, the country's shortest river at just 1,200m (3,936 ft.). The city center is compact. Gladstone Road is the main thoroughfare. Centennial Marine Drive runs from the bustling port area around the bay to the mouth of the Waipaoa River. Most of the best restaurants are around the port area at the north end of Gladstone Road.

Opotiki lies at the eastern end of Bay of Plenty. It is the gateway to the East Cape Road, which is the final leg of the Pacific Coast Highway (St. Hwy. 35).

Wairoa, 99km (61 miles) south of Gisborne at the mouth of the Wairoa River, is the gateway to the wilderness areas of Urewera National Park and Lake Waikaremoana. The 3-day tramp around the lake is one of the Department of Conservation's Great Walks of New Zealand.

Visitor Information -- The Gisborne i-Site Visitor Centre, 209 Grey St., across from Pizza Hut (tel. 06/868-6139; fax 06/868-6138; www.gisbornenz.com), is open daily from 8:30am to 5:30pm in summer, 8:30am to 5pm in winter (closed Dec 25). You can also find information on the area at www.destinationgisborne.co.nz and www.pacificcoast.co.nz.

The Wairoa i-Site Visitor Centre is at the corner of State Highway 2 and Queen Street, Wairoa (tel. 06/838-7440; fax 06/838-3821; www.wairoanz.com). It is open 8:30am to 5pm weekdays, 10am to 4pm weekends. The Opotiki i-Site Visitor Centre is at the corner of Elliot and St. John streets, Opotiki (tel./fax 07/315-8484; infocentre@odc.govt.nz).

Fast Facts -- The post office is at 74 Grey St., Gisborne. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. For Internet access, inquire at the visitor center .

Special Events -- The Gisborne Opera Festival, every 3 years (the next one will be in 2006), includes a week of opera and arts together with Maori culture, wine trails, and garden visits. The Gisborne Wine & Food Festival is on Labour Weekend in October. For information, call tel. 0800/447-667 in New Zealand. For details on all Eastland area events, contact the visitor center.