Eastwoodhill Arboretum is the National Arboretum of New Zealand. It's right by the Rere Falls Trail and makes a brilliant visit or stay.

The arboretum is on Wharekopae Road, about 35km from Gisborne. This pretty road is part of the Rere Falls Trail, which follows mostly quiet country roads between Gisborne and Matawai.

Eastwoodhill has 135 hectares of exotic and native trees, shrubs and climber plantings. The mature botanical collection of over 3500 species of northern hemisphere trees is the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Eastwoodhill offers a range of competitively priced accommodation options (see below). There’s a kitchen and laundary facilities so it’s ideal for cycle groups.

Eastwoodhill offers catering by arrangement. Small cycle groups staying in the accommodation can pre order and Eastwoodhill will supply quality meals. Groups can also pre order supermarket food and it will be at Eastwoodhill when you arrive.

Alternatively, you can bring your own food for picnics and self-catering. Barbecues are available to use for a small cost.

A great option is to ride to Eastwoodhill with plenty of time in the day, then take a pleasant stroll around one of the beautiful, meandering marked walking tracks. You can pre book a guided walking tour of the historic homestead gardens.

There are jeep tours of the arboretum (must be pre booked) and a free mobility scooter is available for use on a designated route.

So whether you're riding all or some of Rere Falls Trail, or in a car, make sure Eastwoodhill is part of your experience!