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Pacific Coast Highway Traveller’s Guide

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2008 Traveller's guide to the

Pacific Coast Highway

Whakatane to Opotiki

• Whakatane
• The Trip from Whakatane to Opotiki via Taneatua
• The trip from Whakatane to Opotiki via S.H.35, Ohope Beach & Ohiwa Harbour
• Ohope Beach
• Kutarere
• Ohiwa Harbour Scenic Detour
• Waiotahi River
• Waiotahi Beach

Whakatane

For detailed info on the Whakatane district see the Whakatane Information Website.

The Trip from Whakatane to Opotiki via Taneatua

There are two routes from Whakatane to Opotiki.  To join S.H.2 at Taneatua, a very enjoyable drive for those with a little more time, from the central roundabout by "The Rock", travel south along Commerce St and Valley Road out of town following the Whakatane River to Taneatua, a town of historical interest and the gateway to the Te Urewera country. The road continues through the picturesque Waimana Gorge, heading out into the Waimana Valley.  To see the Waimana township requires a short detour.  When the road reaches Nukuhou turn right off the main road at Bells Road for Celestial Wines and the Te Urewera National Park, camping areas and the Lions Hut.  The main road continues through pleasant farmland until the Matekerepu bridge just prior to the village of Kutarere, you have then rejoined the "Pacific Coast Highway" described next.

The trip from Whakatane to Opotiki via S.H.35, Ohope Beach & Ohiwa Harbour

This route is the most direct and most used, you once again start by travelling south along Commerce St, this time turning left up the Mokoroa Gorge.  There is an alternative route north along the Strand turning right at the hotel and then right up Hillcrest, this is not recommended for vehicles towing but does provide good views of Whale Island and the Whakatane Heads.  The two routes then merge and head for Ohope.  Before the descent, the view of East Cape, the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Ohope Beach and Mt Hikurangi on a clear day, is worth a pause.

The Masonic Hotel

Ohope Beach

• Kilometres from Opotiki: 50km
• Kilometres from Whakatane: 8.4km

A world renowned holiday spot has 11 km of beach from West End, ideal for surfing, to Ohiwa Harbour mouth at the eastern end.  Ohope has a primary school, service station Ohope Autos and small shopping area.  Ohope has plenty of holiday accommodation, including Beachpoint Resort and Aquarius Motor Lodge at the eastern end.

Directions

The Pacific Coast Highway turns inland at the junction with Harbour Road which leads to the Ohiwa Harbour’s western arm. On Harbour Road, you will find Aquarius Motor Lodge and Scilla Chocolates, before going onto the sandspit where there is a beach and harbour access, a wharf, boat launching, holiday parks and a golf course. Another 1.5km on Pacific Coast Highway and the Ohiwa Harbour and the Oyster Farm comes into view. This harbour apart from its natural beauty, has great biological significance both for its flora and fauna and is a great source of kiamoana.  Also it has endless potential for recreation.

The road continues to follow the harbour, on the right you pass Te Kooti Road named after a well known historical figure, then on the right you come across McCoy Road where you will find Windego Pet Lodge Ph/Fax Cathy 07-312 4259 anytime. windego@farmside.co.nz

Further on is the site of the old Wainui School. At Burke Road, next on the left, is a picnic area, affording clear views of the largest remaining salt marsh in the Harbour. Unique displays of the rare birdlife found here, are part of this public facility. The road continues along the edge of the harbour, on the right is the old Cheddar Valley Co-op Dairy Co. building, used for eleven years before amalgamation with Opotiki Co-op.  In its heyday it processed the milk from 300 cows and is now used by Cheddar Valley Pottery, which is well worth a visit.

Directions

The road follows the Nukuhou stream till it meets S.H.2 again at the Matekerepu Bridge. If you turn right here on S.H.2 and travel 9kms then left on Bells Road you will find Celestial Wines.

Kutarere

• Kilometres from Opotiki: 20km

• Kilometres from Whakatane: 30km

The settlement of Kutarere once the port town of Ohiwa Harbour that serviced the hinterland, is steeped in Maori history with recent major renovations to the local marae.

Travelling eastwards still with the harbour on your left, Ruatuna Road provides an interesting detour.

Ohiwa Harbour Scenic Detour

• Kilometres from Opotiki: 18km
• Kilometres from Whakatane: 32km

This route follows the harbour edge via Ruatuna road, Ohiwa Loop Road, Reeve Road and Ohiwa Harbour Road and rejoins the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) at the Waiotahi River Bridge. On the knoll at the turnoff, occupying an area of 1 to 1.5 hectares are the most northerly New Zealand Black Beech trees, Nothofagus Solanderi.  Immediately on the right you will find Ruatuna Straw Built Homes. In olden days Ohiwa was ringed by Pa sites, probably owing to the accessibility of sea food, and was the scene of numerous tribal fights and massacres. Te Kooti died here in 1893 on Hokianga Island in the middle of the harbour. It is a sealed road which leads to many ideal stopping places for safe swimming, windsurfing, waterskiing, canoeing, sailing, fishing, boating, netting, picnics, etc. With low tides, much of the harbour is bared and cockles are easily obtainable, also mussels in season. The Ohiwa harbour is also the site of the most southerly growing Mangrove plants, and is the only harbour in the country administered by an act of Parliament.

At the end of Reeves Road, turn left on Ohiwa Harbour Road, which leads to the Ohiwa spit under the historic Onekawa Pa site. A wharf, the Ferry Hotel, Post Office and school once existed near where the present channel now runs. The area is now a bird sanctuary, with 30 species of birds frequenting the harbour, including the rare migratory Eastern Bar-tailed Godwit. Surf casting at the entrance channel and on the ocean beach is popular. On the way to the Ohiwa Spit you will find, Ohiwa Coastal Retreat, Fantail Cottage and Ohiwa Family Holiday Park. A right turn at the Reeves road, Ohiwa Harbour Road intersection leads over the hill to rejoin the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2).

Continuing on the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) on the right is Waiotahi Valley Road which travels some 15kms inland, another pleasant drive into the foothills of Te Urewera National Park.

Waiotahi River

• Kilometres from Opotiki: 11.5km
• Kilometres from Whakatane: 38.5km

At the Waiotahi River Bridge, turn left for Ohiwa accommodations. At the first intersection take the right fork alongside the river, this non-exit road leads to the beautifully pohutukawa-lined sandy Ohiwa (or Bryan's) Beach, where you will find Ohiwa Lodge & Spa and Beachaven Cottage. This secluded spot offers surfcasting, picnicking and safe swimming.

To go to the harbour turn left at the first intersection which takes you over the hill, keep right at the bottom of the hill to find Ohiwa Coastal Retreat, Fantail Cottage and Ohiwa Holiday Family Park.

Continuing on the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) you will find Blue View on the right.

You will then pass the Pipi Beds rest area on the left with toilets, and caravan dump station, safe swimming and at low tide you can see the locals gathering Pipi's (shellfish).

Continuing east along the Pacific Coast Highway (SH2) leading east provides the beautiful spectacle of Waiotahi Beach with East Cape as a backdrop. This stretch of road when the Pohutukawa trees are in bloom is a magnificent sight. Waiotahi Beach provides good fishing, surfing and swimming and is probably Opotiki's most popular beach as there is adequate parking and picnic areas, with plenty of shade.

Waiotahi Beach

• Kilometres from Opotiki: 4km
• Kilometres from Whakatane: 46km

At the eastern end of the beach you will encounter two magnificently carved poles –
Te ara Ki Te Tairawhiti - "The pathway to the sunrise", designed by Graham Hayward, created by Opotiki's master carver, Heke Collier, they depict the arrival of the Maori people to Opotiki, with the European Soldier and the Maori Wahine (woman) portraying the togetherness of the races.

Just past the poles on the right is Paerata Ridge Road.

Opposite Paerata Ridge Road is the Opotiki Surf Lifesaving Club & public toilets, continue on the main road and just around the corner you will find the  Waiotahi Beach Estate subdivision. 

It is a short run through the Kukumoa cutting to view Opotiki over the Waioeka River. On the right is Bairds Road, where you will find Kukumoa Lodge.

Continuing on the main highway turn right before the bridge and right again up Hikutaia Road. Follow Crooked Road to get to Dickenson's Road and Colonial House.

Veer left over the bridge, you are now in Opotiki, and by turning left at the intersection by the BP and Caltex Service Stations, you enter the main shopping area. Enjoy yourself.

Map of the trip from Whakatane to Opotiki

Traveller's Guide | 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

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