2.5 Hours 5.8km (return)

Highlights

  • Safe cove to swim in
  • Hole-in-the-wall to explore
  • Information panels on history

Proximity

  • by walking:

    Tairawhiti

  • by car:

    5 mins from Tolaga Bay

  • by car:

    45 mins from Gisborne

GRADE: EASY

The track closes for lambing season from 1 August until Labour Weekend (late October).

Picnic in Cooks Cove and try to imagine the HMS Endeavour at anchor. This is where Captain Cook restocked and repaired his ship.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne
Cooks Cove Tolaga, Tairāwhiti Gisborne

From the Tolaga Bay Wharf you can hike across farmland and through regenerating forest to Cooks Cove where, in 1769, Captain Cook halted to repair his ship, the Endeavour, and take on fresh supplies.

After about 20 minutes of walking you'll come to a lookout point with excellent views of Cooks Cove. The cove is sheltered by the weather-beaten Mitre Rocks and Pourewa Island.

The track continues down to the cove, where you can explore the hole-in-the-wall (Te Kotere o te Whenua) and inspect the New Zealand Historic Places Trust memorial, which commemorates Cook's visit. This is a good place for a picnic lunch.

 

Department of Conservation

Track conditions often change. Be prepared by checking with the Department of Conservation before you go.

Cooks Cove Walkway(opens in new window)

More information

Getting there

Cooks Cove Walkway is situated at the southern end of Tolaga Bay, 52 km north of Gisborne. On SH35 take the Wharf Road turnoff, 2 km south of Tolaga Bay township.

 

Need to know

  • The track crosses private land, so please respect the property and do not disturb or approach farm animals.
  • The walkway is closed for the lambing season each year from 1st August until the start of Labour Weekend in late October.

You may also be interested in...