Pacific Coast Highway Traveller’s Guide

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

And we will send you regular panui (newsletters) and events calendars Register now...

2008 Traveller's guide to the

Pacific Coast Highway

Kia ora, Haere Mai

Welcome to the Eastland section of the Pacific Coast Highway, you are now officially “off-the-beaten-track”. As you journey through this beautiful region with it’s spectacular scenery, you will encounter friendly local people and experience a way of life that has changed little over recent years.

Leaving Whakatane (travelling from North to South) you will skirt the picturesque Ohiwa Harbour before reaching the long undeveloped beaches at Waiotahi and Tirohanga. From Opotiki you have two choices - the route south via the Waioeka Gorge travels through a beautiful river valley flanked by native forests. A wonderful round trip can be enjoyed by turning north again at Matawai and returning to Opotiki on the Old Motu Coach road. Travelling east from Opotiki on SH35 is longer but enchanting, with numerous clear rivers descending from bush-clad hillsides as you follow the rocky coastline from bay to bay.

This area, affectionately called “The Coast” by the locals, has a high Maori population and you will see many Marae with ornately carved gateways. Please remember that Marae are private property, if you are lucky you may meet a friendly local to show you around. At Hicks Bay and Te Araroa you are in one of the most isolated parts of New Zealand but as with all of the Eastland Region there are plenty of options for good quality accommodation.

An early morning visit to the East Cape Lighthouse is a must before heading south towards Gisborne. The area is drier and it is well worth taking a side trip to visit one of the many golden-sand bays on this side of “The Coast”. Gisborne is a picturesque city with some beautiful beaches, allow some time to visit some of the excellent local wineries. Travelling further south to the river town of Wairoa there are two more side trips, Mahia Peninsula has even more quiet lovely beaches and at Lake Waikaremoana you will encounter the wonders of Te Urewera National Park.

The roads are in good condition but are occasionally winding so please drive carefully, as we want you to come back! We are proud of this region that we love, and know that you will fall in love with it as well, enjoy your stay - Opotiki & District 10,000 Club.

Awe inspiring, terrifying and in some ways fragile and beautiful...” White Island is New Zealand’s most active volcano.   Stepping foot inside the active crater is an experience never to be forgotten.  A fascinating natural laboratory of hissing fumaroles, lava bombs, glittering yellow sulphur crystals, unusual rock formations, bubbling mud pots, hot thermal streams and a spectacular, steaming crater lake.  One can explore the ruins of an abandoned sulphur mine and learn about the demise of the mining operations that finally ceased in 1933.  The volcano emerges from the sea 49 km north of Whakatane, and can be reached by boat tours with White Island Tours Ph 0800 733529 that depart daily from the Whakatane Wharf.

Contents:

• Whakatane to Opotiki
• Opotiki to Waihau Bay
• Waihau Bay to Gisborne
• Opotiki to Gisborne via Waioeka Gorge
• Gisborne to Waikaremoana via Pacific Coast Highway
• Wairoa to Napier via Pacific Coast Highway