🌍 First Sunrise in the World | 2D1N in Gisborne

📍 Gisborne—just 6.5hrs from Auckland—is where New Zealand (and the world!) sees the sun first! ☀️ This poetic claim made it a must-visit on my bucket list. 🚗 DAY 1: Road Trip & Animal Fun! 🌊 8:00 AM: Departed Auckland → McLaren Falls Park (2.5hrs). Marshalls Animal Park 🦌🐇: NZD 15 entry + NZD 2 animal feed (sheep, bunnies, ostriches—so cute!). 🥧 Lunch: Patrick’s Pies 🏆 NZ’s "Pie King"—tried the award-winning duck & mushroom pie (heavenly!). 🛣️ 4hr drive to Gisborne: Arrived to a quiet, "anti-trendy" vibe—charmingly peaceful. 🍽️ Dinner: Thai Sunshine 🇹🇭 Huge portions, zero misses—best Thai in town! 🌃 Nightcap: Titirangi Reserve City lights view ✨ (quiet but magical). 🌅 DAY 2: Chasing the Sunrise! 7:00 AM: Wainui Beach for the world’s earliest sunrise… Clouds ruined the photo op ☁️, but the moment was still sacred. 🌊 Tolaga Bay Wharf: Southern Hemisphere’s longest concrete pier—walked into history. 🥾 Cook’s Cove Walkway (1hr hike): Sea arches + coastal views 📸. 🏛️ Mini Museum/Art Gallery: Tiny but tranquil ☕. 💦 Rere Falls: Picnic by the waterfall 🧺 (epic finale!). 🚙 Evening: Drove back via Tauranga dinner → Auckland. #FirstSunrise #GisborneTravel #NZRoadTrip #HiddenGemsNZ