Eastland 

Eastland is a special place. It’s the place where the first Polynesian canoes landed, where Captain Cook made his first landfall and where Maori and European first encountered each other. And it’s the first place on mainland New Zealand to see the sun.

In this relaxed and scenic part of the country, the world is slow. Drive along the unspoiled coastal road and you’ll come across lots of little settlements. There is a strong Maori life in these communities with beautifully painted Maori churches, carved meeting-houses on the marae and conversations in Te Reo. Stop and say ‘kia ora’ (hello).

You’ll see, also, that this is a place where the most common forms of transport are horses and bare feet. You might wish to take a car but you’ll also want to take your time.

Accommodation can be as fancy as an upmarket lodge, boutique B&B’s or quality waterfont motels. But really, this is the place for the holiday camper, whether in a campervan or a tent.

There are many attractions in the area. Take a tour of the local vineyards sampling the distinctive local wines. Buy a bottle and sit on the beach and watch the sun go down. Life doesn’t get much better than that.