The ultimate Kiwi road trip in Tairāwhiti Gisborne

New Zealand is full of incredible road trips, but arguably none as untouched and ‘off the beaten path’ as Tairāwhiti / East Cape. Despite its remoteness, Tairāwhiti is easy to get to, with direct one hour flights from Auckland and Wellington. Fly in, pick up a rental car and make a 486km round trip up and around the East Cape, coming back via the Waioeka Gorge. Plus, Highway 35 is open for business after the February cyclone. Whilst there are still some slow patches in places, all the main highways are open and accessible so there’s never been a better time to explore the region.

Whether you’re looking for a family holiday, a romantic getaway or an adrenaline-filled adventure, you’ve got to come see why Tairāwhiti is the place to visit. Here are our recommendations for the perfect weeklong trip to the Tairāwhiti region taking in the stunning Gisborne and Highway 35.

Highway 35 in three days

Road trips are about taking your time and enjoying the journey, and on Highway 35, the journey itself is the best part. Life on the coast is all about going slow, setting up camp or getting to your pre-booked accommodation and taking it all in.

Day 1: Starting in Ōpōtiki, take Highway 35 northeast along East Cape, where you’ll enjoy winding roads sheltered by ancient Pohutukawa. Along the way, you’ll pass the Motu River, where adrenaline seekers can jump on a high-speed jet boat tour. In Whanarua Bay, make sure to stop at the Nuthouse cafe for delicious macadamias with a stunning view. Finally, pop in to see Raukokore Church, a beautiful white church with a steeple situated directly on the coast. Enjoy relaxing evenings oceanside from the range of accommodation options on offer around the coast, from campgrounds, motels, book a batch and Airbnb. Find out more here or see a range of accommodation options further below.

Nut House Café, Whanarua Bay. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Nut House Café, Whanarua Bay. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Day 2: Start your day right by checking out the stunning East Coast sunrise. Be sure to pull into a range of bays along the way such as Wharekahika/Hicks Bay and Lottin Point - Considered to be some of New Zealand’s best fishing destinations. Continue south to Te Araroa where you can enjoy some great fish and chips and make sure to check out Te Waha-o-Rerekohu, Te Araroa, the largest Pohutukawa tree in the motu. A visit to Te Araroa is not complete without pulling into the East Cape Manuka Café.

Continue down the coast and you’ll be able to see Maunga Hikurangi, a maunga of great spiritual significance to Ngāti Porou, rising in the distance. Maunga Hikurangi provides sunrise tours for those keen on an early start. Not an early riser? They also offer a day tour for those who love their sleep but still want to experience the beauty of Maunga Hikurangi and learn more about the history of the Ngāti Porou people. To enjoy the vast views of the coastline from above, take a scenic flight with Air Ruatoria which showcases the region and stunning surroundings from the air.

Air Ruatoria. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Air Ruatoria. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Day 3: As your journey continues south you’ll head through Te Puia Springs and then arrive at Tokomaru Bay, a coastal town full of history and delicious kai. Te Puka Tavern is a great accommodation option with a large menu on offer along with the perfect spot to relax with a beverage in hand. A trip to Tokomaru Bay would not be complete without pulling into Café 35 and trying out one of their famous pāua pies. For those who love camping, Anaura Bay is your spot for classic East Coast seaside camping.

As you continue down the coast you’ll pull into Tolaga Bay, home to the famous 600m wharf, one of the longest in the country. Tolaga Bay is also home to the 5.8 kilometre Cooks Cove walkway, considered one of the most scenic short walks in the region. For anyone interested in a historical and Māori cultural view of Tairāwhiti, Tipuna Tours offer unique and personalised tours of the area. If visiting on a week day Tolaga Bay Cashmere is a pleasant retail surprise.

Tolaga Bay Wharf from Cook's Cove Walkway

Tolaga Bay Wharf from Cook's Cove Walkway

Motu River Jets. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Gisborne in three days

Day 1: Ready to get wet and wild? Being a coastal city, Gisborne has no shortage of water-based activities, including a number of epic surf spots and schools. If catching kai sounds better than catching waves, Touchwood Fishing is a great fishing charter that will take you out to sea. Kids will love a reef ecology tour at Dive Tatapouri learning about the area and interacting with wild stingrays. Another option is taking the family out to Rere Falls and the Rere rockslide, a local favourite. End your day in classic Kiwi fashion with fish and chips at Wainui or Makorori Beach.

Day 2: If you’re up for it, make sure to get an early start to your day to enjoy an East Coast sunrise at one of these great spots. Gisborne is so awesome, the sun wants to be the first to see it. If you happen to be in Gisborne on a Saturday morning, the Farmers Market is the best place to wander around and try local fare. Gisborne is the home of Chardonnay, with a range of world-class wineries open for tastings. If you’re more of a beer drinker, check out Sunshine Brewery, where a range of beers on offer are named after local surf breaks. For dinner, there are plenty of options, including piping hot pizzas at Neighborhood Pizzeria, traditional dishes with a modern twist at The Works, and seasonal local favourites at Crawford Rd Kitchen with views over the harbour.

Sunshine Brewery. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Sunshine Brewery. Image credit: Brook Sabin

Day 3: Time to work off all that beer, wine and food. Gisborne and its surrounds are home to some great walks, both in the bush and on the beach. Gisborne has a range of fantastic cycle options (and good news is they're relatively flat). Cycle Gisborne offer a range of self-guided and guided tours, or alternatively, Gisborne Railbikes allows you to cruise side by side along a decommissioned coastal railway track. Finally, make sure to walk through the Eastwoodhill Arboretum, home to over 25,000 plant species.

Gisborne Railbikes.

Gisborne Railbikes.

Where to next? From Gisborne going south, it’s only 3 hours to the beautiful Hawke's Bay, and northbound towards Auckland, 2.5 hours to Whakatane, making it easy to get the most out of your trip.

Tairawhiti Gisborne.

Accommodation around Highway 35 and Gisborne

Planning ahead is key to getting the best places to stay in Tairāwhiti – here are our top accommodation recommendations along Highway 35 and in Gisborne.

Highway 35:

Te Kaha Hotel
Maraehako Campground
Waihau Bay Lodge
Lottin Point Motel: If you’re hoping to get up early to fish at the country’s best fishing spot, this is the right place to stay the night!
Hicks Bay Hotel
Te Araroa Holiday Park
Te Puka Tavern
Tolaga Bay Holiday Park: A perfect base camp for a family trip, with a playground on-site and a safe, sandy beach directly on your doorstep.