Itineraries

Pacific Coast Highway

HUKUWAI BEACH (Gisborne 331k; Opotiki 3k) offers safe swimming and good surfcasting. Picnic area and toilets.

TIROHANGA (Gisborne 328k; Opotiki 6k) has a sandy beach. The terraces of an ancient and extensive pa are clearly visible on Tirohanga Bluff. Motor camp, friendly family camp on beach, store and horse trekking

OLD MOTU COACH ROAD TURN-OFF (Gisborne 323k; Opotiki 11k) Pleasant picnic area alongside river. The narrow, unsealed Motu Road climbs through rugged, bushclad, mountainous country to Matawai, approx. 2hrs drive.

OROI SCENIC RESERVE (Opotiki 13k) consists of thick second growth tawa, puriri and rewarewa. There is evidence of pre-European habitation and a walking track follows the old road around the headland.

OPAPE (Gisborne 316k; Opotiki 17k) The sandy beach ends and gives way to rocky inlets which are ideal for fishing and snorkelling. Opape motorcamp, bed and breakfast and homestay.

TORERE (Gisborne 310k; Opotiki 24k) is a lovely picnic area. It is unsuitable for swimming but is ideal for fishing. Picnic area, meals, takeaway and refreshments

HAWAI (Gisborne 305k; Opotiki 29k) a similar beach to Torere with excellent fishing and an abundance of driftwood. Camp and store.

MARAENUI HILL (Gisborne 394k; Opotiki 40k) on the coastal road gives panoramic views of the coast to Opotiki and beyond.

MOTU RIVER (Gisborne 289k; Opotiki 44k) is one of New Zealand's finest, unspoiled waterways. The river begins in mountainous country beyond Matawai and on its way to the sea passes through dense virgin bush. At the coast the Pacific Coast Highway crosses the wide rivermouth. The Motu offers rafting, kayaking, jet boating.

WHITIANGA (Gisborne 283k; Opotiki 51k) is a deepwater cove suitable for rock fishing. Some camping areas are available.

OMAIO (Gisborne 277k; Opotiki 56k) A shingle surf beach suitable for swimming and fishing. Good picnic and camping spots. Petrol and store, tearooms, takeaways, groceries.

TE KAHA (Gisborne 264k; Opotiki 70k), a former whaling town,  is a popular vacation area surrounded by glorious bays and beaches. There is a beautifully carved meeting house, Tukaki, and the remains of an old redoubt. Good fishing, swimming and boating. Motels, motorcamp, cabins, backpackers. Petrol, stores, postal facilities. Te Kaha Hotel has a bar, restaurant, accommodation, wholesale, gas bottle fills, EFTPOS.

WHANARUA BAY and MARAEHAKO BAY (Gisborne 246k; Opotiki 88k) is one of the prettiest bays on the coast. Secluded beaches are ideal for picnics, fishing, diving and swimming. There are glow-worms and native bush walks with waterfalls. Crayfish is a speciality.  Visit Pacific Coast Macadamias where you can sit under the Macadamia trees with a coffee and try some of the various macadamia nut and manuka honey recipies from the Nut House Cafe.  Cottage and Backpacker Accommodation. 

RAUKOKORE (Gisborne 235k; Opotiki 99k) An Anglican Church stands imposingly on a promontory near the sea. Built about 1894 it shows a strong European influence with its very tall steeple. Photo opportunity.

WAIHAU BAY (Gisborne 227k; Opotiki 107k) offers everything from rocky inlets to sandy beaches. The deep-sea fishing club has a concrete boat ramp and the jetty provides a place for line fishing. Lodge, fishing charter, petrol, store, postal facilities, meals.

ORUAITI BEACH (Gisborne 226k; Opotiki 108k) is a safe, sandy swimming beach. Holiday park ¬ cabins, caravans, power and tent sites. Bed and breakfast and homestay. Fishing trips, dive bottle fills.

WHANGAPARAOA, Cape Runaway, (Gisborne 216k; Opotiki 118k) Good beach and fishing. Farmstay.

POTAKA (Gisborne 201k; Opotiki 134k) is the northern boundary of the Ngati Porou and has a school and marae. Gisborne/Opotiki districts boundary.

LOTTIN POINT (Gisborne 204k; Opotiki 130k) is 4km from the main highway. The area has excellent deepwater fishing for both skindivers and line fishermen and is well worth a visit to see the quiet bays and the rocky outcrops. Motel.

HICKS BAY (Gisborne 186k; Opotiki 148k) has superb scenery and offers a variety of activities, from bushwalks with giant puriri trees, to deep sea fishing. Viosit the old wooden wharf and the derelict remains of the old freezing works. Motel and restaurant, backpackers lodge with horse trekking. Petrol, postal facilities, store, take-aways.

TE ARAROA (Gisborne 174k; Opotiki 160k) is steeped in Maori history, a significant village with a hotel and dining room. TE Araroa boasts the largest and oldest pohutukawa tree at 600 years old.  Great fishing. Motorcamp with movie theatre, petrol, postal facilities, stores.

EAST CAPE LIGHTHOUSE (Gisborne 196k) is a 22km, no exit side-trip from Te Araroa. Most easterly point on mainland New Zealand. The lighthouse stands 154m above sea-level accessed by a walking track of approximately 700 steps. The unsealed road from Te Araroa to the Cape runs beside numerous rock shelves and sandy beaches.  Allow 40 minutes to walk to the Lighthouse.

TIKITIKI (Gisborne 149k; Opotiki 185k) is a small settlement on the banks of the Waiapu River. St. Mary's Church, one of the most marvellously ornate Maori churches in New Zealand, is located here overlooking the Waiapu Valley. The church is decorated in a manner to display the meeting of two cultures and magically combines a European structure with extensive Maori carvings.  There is a Hotel, petrol station and local store. 

MOUNT HIKURANGI (1752m) Hikurangi is the highest non-volcanic peak in the North Island and is the first point in New Zealand, and reputedly the world, to see the new day's sun. Prior permission is required to climb the mountain.

PAKIHIROA TURNOFF (Gisborne 133k; Opotiki 201k) leads into Tapuaeroa Valley and to the foot of Mt. Hikurangi. Unsealed road.

RUATORIA (Gisborne 130k; Opotiki 204k) is a short detour from SH35. It is the centre of the fertile Waiapu Valley and gives access to a variety of remote beaches. Postal facilities, stores, meals, hotel

IHUNGIA REST AREA (Gisborne 112k; Opotiki 222k) offers a clear view to Mt. Hikurangi.

WAIPIRO BAY (Gisborne 110k) is a wide and stunningly beautiful bay accessed via an unsealed loop road off the highway. Waipiro Bay village is almost a ghost town with derelict ruins of what was once the busiest town on the coast. Good fishing and surfing, but care should be taken when swimming. Bush lodge, horse trekking. Phone 06 864 6719.

TE PUIA (Gisborne 103k; Opotiki 231k) has a small, pretty lake and thermal spa activity. Challenging 11-hole golf course, a picturesque hotel with hot pools. Hospital, motel, petrol, store and postal facilities.

TOKOMARU BAY (Gisborne 92k; Opotiki 242k) is a very strong art and craft centre. Maori culture is very evident with four active marae in the area. Good fishing and surfing but care should be taken when swimming. Backpackers, farmstay, bed & breakfast, modern tavern and restaurant, motor camp, petrol, postal facilities, store, take-aways.

WAIMA (northern end of Tokomaru Bay) was an early coastal shipping port. The wharf is still used by commercial fishermen. The imposing brick shipping company building, the harbourmaster's house and the massive ruins of the Tokomaru Bay freezing works (1911-1952) are still very evident.

ANAURA BAY (Gisborne 77k, Opotiki 264k) has a beautiful beach of unspoiled, golden sand 6km from SH35. A Heritage Places Trust plaque beside Hawai Stream marks Captain Cook's second landing place in New Zealand. A 3.5km native bush walkway gives wonderful scenic views (allow 2.5 hours). Safe swimming, good fishing, marae visits, motor camp, homestays.

KING SPENCER RESERVE (Gisborne 68k) is a 31ha scenic reserve at the site of the Spencer homestead built in 1906. Steep cliffs covered with native bush are a backdrop to a 10ha river flat planted with English trees. Access permission is required from the landowner (phone 06 862 6341). Allow 2hrs for walk. Bed and breakfast.

KAIAUA BEACH (Gisborne 60k; Opotiki 274k) 6km off SH35. Excellent beach for fishing, swimming and picnics. Beach horse races.

TOLAGA BAY (Gisborne 54k; Opotiki 280k) has a beach suitable for swimming, fishing and picnics. Golf course and surf lifesaving club. Busiest village on the coast with several shops, hotel, motel, homestays, tea rooms, motorcamp, petrol, postal facilities, banking. Fishing charters. Visit Tolaga Bay Cashmere ¬ NZ's finest cashmere knitwear, specialist shop open daily.

ERNEST REEVE WALKWAY at northern end of Tolaga Bay leads to a lookout on the cliffs overlooking the bay with views to Mt. Hikurangi on a clear day. Allow one hour for return.

TOLAGA BAY WHARF  is the longest pier in New Zealand at 660 metres. It was built between 1926 and 1929 to allow ships to unload at all tides. Be transported to a time when this quiet township was a humming port servicing a large shipping trade.  An excellent half-hour walk, take your fishing rod, great photo opportunities. 

COOKS COVE A gently 5km walkway over farmland and bush to the place where in 1769 Cook halted to repair the "Endeavour" and take aboard supplies. Great views, walk through the "Hole-In-The-Wall". Allow 2.5hrs. The walk is closed during lambing season from 1 August to 30 September.

WAIHAU BEACH (Gisborne 42k; Opotiki 292k) ¬ also known as "Loisel's", is 6km off SH35, offers tranquillity, shade, good surfing, fishing and safe swimming from a beautiful, sandy beach.

POUAWA AND TURIHAUA (Gisborne 16-18k) are adjacent ocean beaches with clean, golden sand, rocky outcrops with good swimming, diving and fishing. Freedom camping at Pouawa in summer.

TATAPOURI (Gisborne 14k) mostly reef with good fishing and diving. Boat ramp with honesty box. Access for boats to offshore fishing. Motor Camp.

MAKORORI BEACH (Gisborne 10k) has excellent surf. First unpopulated, sandy beach north of Gisborne. Ideal for picnics, safe swimming, rocky outcrops, diving, fishing, rock pools, horse riding.

WAINUI BEACH (Gisborne 4k) Virtually right in Gisborne yet still retaining a tranquil country atmosphere. Wainui has a beautiful clean sandy beach with excellent surf and a surf club partrolled swimming area. Historic sperm whale grave, excellent walk over headland, horse trekking, motel, stores, petrol, takeaways.

SPONGE BAY (Gisborne 3k) ¬ 2km from highway, gives access to Tuamotu Island at low tide. Rocky bay with rideable surf.

GISBORNE is the biggest city on the east coast and is known as the first landing point of explorer Captain James Cook.  Cook’s first experience with the local Maori was not a good one, which lead him to call the area Poverty Bay.  However, Poverty Bay is a contradiction in terms as it is one of New Zealand’s richest farming districts and home to some of the country’s highest sunshine hours.  Many wineries, walks and golf courses are within the immediate vicinity.  Big game fishing is popular, with kingfish, marlin, shark and bluenose tuna all found off the coast.

2 day family itinerary

Day One:

Morning:
The Adventure Playground in Awapuni Road has plenty of room to run around. Enjoy the play equipment, which includes swings a fort and mini train.  In Grey Street the Gisborne Visitor Information Centre has a Minigolf course.  Across the road is a great Skateboard Park.

Afternoon:
Take a drive out to Rere Falls (50km drive) a photogenic waterfall, picnic area and swimming hole.  The Rere Rockslide is a natural 60 metre waterslide further along the road. Take boogie-boards, wetsuits, inflatable mattresses.  Thrilling ride but take care!

Day Two:

Morning:
Tairawhiti Museum features a fine collection of Maori and European artifacts, an extensive photographic collection and art galleries. The Star of Canada Maritime Museum connects to it and is the wheelhouse salvaged from the SS Star of Canada, which sunk off Kaiti Beach in 1912. Wyllie Cottage is next to the museum and is a six-roomed cottage furnished in the early colonial style.

Afternoon:
Cross the bridge and take a stroll along the River Walkway, which winds its way around the city riverbanks. Take time to look around some of the shops in Gisborne's CBD. There are some great shops of interest to all ages.   Drive up Kaiti Hill which provides fabulous views over Poverty Bay and Gisborne City.  There are recreational paths and a playground.

1 Day Heritage Itinerary

Morning:
Visit the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve.  Kaiti Beach marks the place where Captain James Cook first set foot on New Zealand soil, 9th October 1769. Drive up Kaiti Hill for superb views overlooking Young Nick's Head and miles of beautiful, unspoiled coastline.
Visit Te Poho o Rawiri Marae. Set in trees at the foot of Kaiti Hill, this is the site of the largest carved meeting houses in New Zealand. Opened in 1930, the interior has excellent examples of carving and tukutuku in traditional Maori patterns. Permission needed.
Tairawhiti Museum features a fine collection of Maori and European artifacts, an extensive photographic collection and art galleries. The Star of Canada Maritime museum connects to it and is the wheelhouse salvaged from the SS Star of Canada, which sunk off Kaiti Beach in 1912. Wyllie Cottage is next to the museum and is a six-roomed cottage furnished in the early colonial style.

Afternoon:
East Coast Museum of Technology (Gisborne 5k) is housed in the old Kia Ora Dairy Factory building at Makaraka. Here can be seen an interesting collection of old gadgets, vehicles and agricultural machinery, many of which have been restored to working condition.
Makaraka Cemetery. This historic cemetery contains many memorials to early pioneers including a monument in memory of the victims of the Poverty Bay Massacre of 1868.
Matawhero Historic Church (Gisborne 8k) built mid-1860s is the oldest building still standing in Poverty Bay surviving the Poverty Bay Massacre of 1868. Originally a school room it has been a Presbyterian Church since 1872 and is one of the most historic buildings in this area.

2 Day Garden Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2