On a quiet morning in Gisborne, you might hear two very different sounds. The steady rumble of a train passing through and the distant roar of an aircraft taking off. In most places, these belong to separate worlds. But in Gisborne, they come together in one unexpected spot: its airport.
A Runway Like No Other
On the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island sits Gisborne, a coastal city surrounded by rolling hills and farmlands. Its airport has a single runway, but what makes it remarkable is the railway line that cuts straight through it. Here, you can see a train rolling by and a plane preparing to take off, both using the same strip of ground.
This design came about many years ago. At the time, both the railway and airport were crucial for connecting the region. Space was limited, so instead of choosing one over the other, planners made them work together in a shared space.
How It Works in Daily Life
For locals, this setup feels normal. When a plane is about to land or depart, trains stop and wait. After the aircraft clears the runway, trains resume their journey. Everything is tightly coordinated between air traffic control and railway staff.
Despite how strange it may seem to outsiders, it runs smoothly. There have been no serious incidents, showing how well the system functions.
A Lifeline for the Community
Gisborne Airport is not large, but it plays an important role. It connects residents to cities like Auckland and Wellington through regular domestic flights. For many, it is the easiest way to travel quickly in and out of the region.
The railway also remains important. While passenger trains are rare today, freight trains continue to move goods across the line, passing right over the runway.
A Slice of History Still Alive
The airport’s unusual design reflects Gisborne’s past. When it was built, the town was small and land was scarce. Instead of separating rail and air travel, the community embraced a solution that worked for everyone. What was once practical has now become one of the quirkiest transport features in the world.
An Unexpected Tourist Attraction
Visitors often stop just to see this in action. Watching a train glide across a runway, followed minutes later by a plane taking off, is not something you witness anywhere else. Many capture these moments on video, and they quickly spread online, turning Gisborne Airport into a quiet internet sensation.
For those travelling through, it feels special. It is a reminder that even in modern travel, there are places where routines can surprise you.
Balancing Trains and Planes
Managing both is not without challenges. Flights occasionally pause for a passing train. Likewise, train schedules adjust slightly for flight timings. Yet, everything moves along without fuss. The teamwork between rail and air staff keeps the process seamless.
A Unique Wonder of Transport
No other airport in the world operates like this. Larger airports separate rail and air because of their sheer size and traffic. Gisborne, however, shows how a smaller place can keep things simple and still run efficiently. It is a solution rooted in necessity, yet it now feels like part of the city’s personality.
Gisborne Airport is proof that travel does not always need to be ordinary. Here, a single runway carries both planes and trains, turning everyday transport into something memorable. For locals, it is routine. For visitors, it is a rare glimpse into how practical decisions from the past can become charming features of the present.
Next time you think of an airport, imagine one where your flight waits for a train to pass before take-off. In Gisborne, that is simply how life works.
