Opotiki to Gisborne via the East Cape Road

The East Cape Road is 343km long and winds between the coastline, remote bushland from one lonely beach to another. The rugged Raukumara Range seemed not very inviting for early settlers who preferred the gentle Hawke's Bay for farming.

Opotiki

The town marks the end of the Bay of Plenty and the beginning of the East Cape Road. Around the town are more than 20km of sandy beaches to choose from.

Church of St. Stephen the Martyr

The Lutheran Missionary Rev. Volkner was murdered here in 1865.

Hukutaia Domain

Located 6 km out of Opotiki, the domain is a reserve for native plants. One of New Zealand's oldest trees can be found here. The big puriri is thought to be around 2000 years old.

Te Kaha

Founded as a whaling town Te Kaha is now a popular holiday resort. Te Tukiaki Meeting House has some fine carvings.

Whangaparaoa

Here is the beach where the first great Maori canoes landed from Hawaiki.

Hicks Bay

The large Tuwhakairioa Meeting House has carvings from the 1870s.

Te Araroa

Te Araroa is the turn off point if you want to visit the East Cape Lighthouse. Watch out for the 600 year old pohutukawa tree!

East Cape Lighthouse

It's the most eastern lighthouse of New Zealand.

Tikitiki

St. Mary's church in Tikitiki was built in 1924 in memory of local Maori died in World War I.

Ruatoria

Ruatoria is the main settlement of the region.

Hot Springs of Te Puia

The hot springs are located between Waipiro bay and Tokomaru Bay.

Tolaga Bay

A beautiful bay with the countries longest wharf.

Gisborne

Here is the place, where James Cook landed first in 1769.

Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve

The reserve commemorates Cook's landing in 1769 and is located at the end of Kaiti Beach just east of the city centre. A short walk leads up to a statue of James Cook on top of Kaiti Hill. From here you have a fantastic view over the city and the bay.

Te Poho-o-Rawiri Meeting House

Queens Drive
The large meeting house is just beneath Kaiti Hill.

Tairawhiti Museum and Arts Centre

Stout Street
An exhibition of the area's nature as well as historic buildings are to explore here. Asmall maritime collection is located inside the 'Star of Canada', wrecked on a reeff in 1912.