Auckland – Whakatane – Napier

Day 4: Whakatane to Gisborne

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Whakatane - Opotiki 0.75 hr  58/36 Opotiki - Te Araroa 2 hrs  159/99 Te Araroa - Gisborne 2.25 hrs  169/106   Totals for Day 5 hrs  386/241

Whakatane - Opotiki - Te Araroa - Gisborne

The main centre for the Eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatane is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Just offshore is White Island, a spectacular active volcano that can be visited by launch or helicopter. Other Whakatane attractions include the museum, an observatory and Maori historical sites. In summer, dolphin swimming is the thing to do.

The short trip to Opotiki takes you past Ohope, a friendly coastal town with 11 kms of uninterrupted beach for swimming, walking, surfing and fishing. You’ll drive through gently rolling hill country – the foothills of the Urewera Ranges. Small settlements appear regularly. Local Maori culture is strong in this region, so look for carved meeting houses and unique churches.

Opotiki is an ideal base for explorations of Eastland. It has a good range of accommodation and shops. Eco-tourism activities make excellent use of the beautiful coastal and forest environment - horse trekking, kayaking, river rafting and dolphin swimming are some of the entertainment options.

Scenic Highlights

Whinray Reserve
Walk just 30 minutes into the Whinray Reserve and you'll find yourself surrounded by forest giants, some over 40 metres tall.

Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve
Enjoy the great outdoors at the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve, a peaceful forest paradise between Opotiki and Gisborne.

Ohope Beach and Ohiwa Harbour
Luxuriate in the sun, sea and sand on beautiful Ohope Beach or paddle a kayak around the bird nesting sites of Ohiwa Harbour.

Activities

Bay of Plenty
Boat Cruises (4), Dolphins (7)

Eastland
Horse Treks (1)

Whakatane - Opotiki - Te Araroa - Gisborne

Opotiki has a good range of accommodation and shops. Eco-tourism activities make excellent use of the beautiful coastal and forest environment - horse trekking, kayaking, river rafting and dolphin swimming are some of the entertainment options.

There’s a lot to see and do as you drive around the edge of East Cape. Have fun jetboating, kayaking or white-water rafting on the Motu River, then browse the tranquil seaside settlements of Omaio, Te Kaha, Waihau Bay and Hicks Bay. Swimming, horse riding, fishing and diving are favourite local pastimes. Maori culture is strong in this area – look for carved meeting houses and gateways.

The village of Te Araroa is rich in Maori history. It has a 600-year-old pohutukawa tree, the largest and oldest in New Zealand, and a hotel that serves delicious meals. If you need to stretch your legs, there’s a walkway to the East Cape lighthouse.

Scenic Highlights

Tikitiki
The building of Saint Mary's at Tikitiki coincided with a drive to preserve Maori art traditions. The result is extraordinary.

Te Araroa and East Cape
East Cape - the most easterly point on mainland New Zealand.

Whinray Reserve
Walk just 30 minutes into the Whinray Reserve and you'll find yourself surrounded by forest giants, some over 40 metres tall.

Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve
Enjoy the great outdoors at the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve, a peaceful forest paradise between Opotiki and Gisborne.

Activities

Eastland
Horse Treks (1)

Whakatane - Opotiki - Te Araroa - Gisborne

The village of Te Araroa is rich in Maori history. It has a 600-year-old pohutukawa tree, the largest and oldest in New Zealand, and a hotel that serves delicious meals. If you need to stretch your legs, there’s a walkway to the East Cape lighthouse.

There’s a lot to see and do as you drive down the edge of East Cape. At Tikitiki you’ll see one of the most marvellously ornate Maori churches in New Zealand. Further south is Waipiro Bay, which has three historical marae. Te Puia Springs is a place for a hot soak in mineral water. Then at Tolaga Bay you can walk along the historic 660 metre wharf.

Gisborne is a sunny city with a reputation for good wine and fantastic surf beaches. There are more than 20 vineyards in the area – the emphasis is on Chardonnay. Kaiti Beach was the first European landing place in New Zealand.

Scenic Highlights

Tikitiki
The building of Saint Mary's at Tikitiki coincided with a drive to preserve Maori art traditions. The result is extraordinary.

Tolaga Bay Wharf
Extending far into the deep water of Tolaga Bay, this wharf is a legendary place to dangle a fishing line.

Captain Cook's Landing Site and Young Nick's Head
When the HMS Endeavour appeared in Poverty Bay in October 1769, the course of New Zealand history changed forever.

Te Araroa and East Cape
East Cape - the most easterly point on mainland New Zealand.

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

Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
Stretch your legs along the four kilometre sandy beach of Te Tapuwae O Tongokako, then explore the rocky intertidal platforms.

Activities

Eastland
Fishing – Fresh Water (1)