Ōpōtiki to Gisborne, Pacific Coast Highway, SH 35

The journey from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne on SH 35 skirts the coastal hills and bays, and it’s endlessly scenic. The 334km is best broken into a couple of days’ driving, or several days if you’re on a bicycle. Ensure you fill up on petrol and have cash in your wallet, because electronic payments and petrol supplies are limited.

Highlights

(distances from Ōpōtiki)

• 17km Opape beach 17km.
• 40km Maraenui hill lookout.
• 70km Te Kaha is a popular holiday spot.
• 88km Whanarua Bay is a stunning spot with a walking track.
• 107km Waihau Bay.
• 118km Whangaparaoa (Cape Runaway) marks the boundary of the Opotiki and Gisborne districts.
• 151km Hicks Bay.
• 160km Te Araroa has the largest pohutukawa in the world, Te Waha o Rerekohu. A 40km return trip takes you to East Cape lighthouse.
• 206km Ruatoria is the largest town since Opotiki and close to Mt Hikurangi.
• 243km Tokumaru Bay offers a long, golden beach.
• 267km Anaura Bay is a beautiful beach, with a bush walkway.
• 279km Tolaga Bay has streets named after Captain Cook’s crew, recalling their 1769 landing here.
• 298km Waihau Beach is a lovely spot, with Cook’s Cove Walkway.
• 334km Gisborne.