Journey of discovery along State Highway 35
Road trip route 35
Pack your bag for a summer road trip along State Highway 35
In an eastern corner of Te Ika-a-Māui lies a special stretch of coastline.
The East Coast is where you’ll find the real New Zealand: magical sunrises, spiritual encounters, and a strong connection to living Māori culture.
Get ready for a journey through the Land of the First Light along State Highway 35.
The East Coast is where you’ll find the real New Zealand.
Get ready for a journey through the Land of the First Light along State Highway 35
Immersive adventure in the Land of the First Light
This is a route to take your time on. Break up your road trip with some of these relaxed adventures that take you to the heart of the region.
Gisborne Tours offers a range of tours based on your interests, whether that be golf, wine, culture or adventure.
Pedal power
Stretch your legs along one of the region’s cycle trails with Cycle Gisborne, or partner up for a unique tandem cycle journey along a historic coastal railway with Gisborne Railbike Adventures.
Make waves
In Tairāwhiti, surfing is more than just a leisure activity; it’s a lifestyle. Learn to master the waves with a surfing lesson at beginner-friendly beaches Waikanae/Roberts Road or Makorori.
Dive Tatapouri’s reef ecology tours get you up close to wild Short Tail Stingrays, Eagle Rays and other marine creatures.
Night time discovery
Once the sun goes down there’s still plenty of magic to be enjoyed; in the East Coast backcountry you can travel to the far reaches of the universe with Gisborne Astro Tours.
Stretch your legs along one of the region’s cycle trails with Cycle Gisborne
Stretch your legs along one of the region’s cycle trails with Cycle Gisborne
In Tairāwhiti, surfing is more than just a leisure activity; it’s a lifestyle. Learn to master the waves with a surfing lesson.
In Tairāwhiti, surfing is more than just a leisure activity; it’s a lifestyle. Learn to master the waves with a surfing lesson.
In Tairāwhiti, surfing is more than just a leisure activity; it’s a lifestyle.
Watch the sunrise at the East Cape lighthouse
Watch the sunrise at the East Cape lighthouse
Spiritual connections and sacred sunrises
The East Coast is a deeply spiritual place with a strong connection to Māori culture and heritage.
See the sunrise
Maunga Hikurangi is the first place in the world to see the sun rise each day. As part of a unique spiritual experience, you can witness a spectacular show of light and learn about the maunga’s significance to the local people of Ngati Porou.
Another place to watch the sunrise is at the East Cape lighthouse. Take your time along this incredible stretch of coastline; the 22km drive from Te Araroa to the lighthouse is nothing short of magnificent.
Culture and history
Eco-tourism operator Tipuna Tours offers tours with Māori guides to broaden your understanding of the place you’re visiting. If you’re after something self-guided, take the Tupapa Heritage Trail through some of the iconic landmarks that have shaped Tairāwhiti over the past 700 years.
Delve into more of the region’s history and heritage at Tairāwhiti Museum and Art Gallery, check out the aircraft on display at the Aviation Museum or climb aboard the Wa165, the only remaining Wa class steam locomotive.
Delve into the region's history and heritage at Tairāwhiti Museum and Art Gallery.
Delve into the region's history and heritage at Tairāwhiti Museum and Art Gallery.
The East Coast is a deeply spiritual place with a strong connection to Māori culture and heritage.
Food and beverage, East Coast style
The long, hot summers in this corner of the country coupled with fertile soils and a fresh ocean breeze combine to create perfect conditions for grape-growing, craft brewing and delicious local food.
Taste the terroir
Have beers by the beach at Aotearoa’s oldest independent brewery, Sunshine Brewery, taste some local drops amongst vines and olive trees at Matawhero Wines and sample innovative, biodynamic wines at Milton Vineyard.
Local bites
Try a delicious Zeus pizza and a coffee from Broad Bills Uawa, the legendary family-owned food trailer at the iconic Tolaga Bay Wharf. Play some giant jenga while you wait for your paua pie fix at Café 35 in Tokomaru Bay.
Wake up by the ocean
Wake up to an exceptional sunrise over the Pacific Ocean at one of the camping spots along State Highway 35. Make sure you apply for a camping permit online before your trip, follow campsite rules and take your rubbish with you.
Te Puka Tavern in Tokomaru Bay has powered campervan sites as well as unit accommodation with excellent coastal views, and makes an ideal base from which to explore Maunga Hikurangi.
Sounds of summer
Te reo tunes
‘35 (feat. Rob Ruha)’ by Ka Hao, a group of rangatahi Māori from Tairāwhiti, is all about State Highway 35, making it the perfect tune to listen to as you’re cruising along the coastline.
Retro rock
If the music video for the song ‘No No No’ by Gisborne Band Lazy Fifty doesn’t make you want to immediately jump in the campervan and set out along State Highway 35, then we don’t know what will!
Rhythm ‘n’ Vines
Ringing in the New Year at New Zealand’s premier music and camping festival, held amidst the vineyard backdrop to the sounds of up-and-coming and established Kiwi artists, is a quintessential summer experience.
The Gisborne Town Clock.
The Gisborne Town Clock.
Get up close to wild Short Tail Stingrays, Eagle Rays and other marine creatures with Dive Tatapouri’s reef ecology tours.
Get up close to wild Short Tail Stingrays, Eagle Rays and other marine creatures with Dive Tatapouri’s reef ecology tours
Find out what else there is to discover in the Land of the First Light
Visit tairawhitigisborne.co.nz
Please travel safely and check guidance at https://covid19.govt.nz/ for alert level requirements in the region you're travelling to.
Built with Shorthand