East Cape Road
Ōpōtiki to Gisborne via the Pacific coast on SH35: pōhutukawa beaches, marae and the country's easternmost lighthouse.
- Distance
- 334 km
- Driving
- 5 hours
- Take
- 3 days
- Route
- Ōpōtiki to Gisborne
SH35 runs 334 km round the East Cape from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne, past Hicks Bay and Te Araroa where you can continue to the lighthouse, then down to Tolaga Bay with its long wharf. It's a quiet road with small settlements, marae and beaches rather than big attractions. Allow three days to enjoy it.
The stops
Start
Ōpōtiki
Town
Ōpōtiki
Start town and last supermarket
Beach
Hicks BayBay beach before Te Araroa
Town
Te AraroaHome to a huge pōhutukawa tree
Lighthouse
East Cape LighthouseEasternmost lighthouse, reached by a stair climb
Landmark
Tolaga BayLong wharf stretching into the bay
City
GisborneFinish city with Kaiti Hill and good beaches
Finish
Gisborne
Where to stay
Night 1
Te Araroa
Te Araroa Holiday Park
Night 2
Tolaga Bay
Tolaga Bay Holiday Park
- When to go
- Nov–Apr; avoid heavy rain which can cause slips
- On the road
- Fuel stations are limited outside Ōpōtiki, Te Araroa and Tolaga Bay. Narrow in places.
Take the trip with you
Roadtrip finds the cheapest fuel on the way, warns you about tolls and cameras, and splits the cost with everyone in the car.
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