Eastern Coast

From Opotiki on the Bay of Plenty, motorists can follow Highway 35 as it twists around the rugged, heavily forested East Cape or take Highway 2, which runs southeast across the base of the cape. The routes meet again at Poverty Bay, and Highway 2 continues south along the coast.

Two mountain highways cut inland to central tourist areas. From Wairoa, Highway 38 heads northwest through Urewera National Park and Kaingaroa State Forest to Rotorua. Highway 5 follows a historic Maori track and stagecoach route northwest from Napier to Taupo.

The winding shoreline road (Highway 35) skirts the East Cape shore between Opotiki and Gisborne. The more direct route is Highway 2, which cuts across the base of the cape and continues south past Poverty Bay and Hawke Bay. Tourist towns along the route are Gisborne, on Poverty Bay; the busy seaside resort of Napier; and Hastings, a fruit growing and winemaking center.

Getting there. Air New Zealand flights serve Gisborne and Napier from Auckland and Wellington. New Zealand Railways provides daily train service between Wellington and Gisborne, with stops at larger towns.

Motorcoach service by Mount Cook Line and Railways Road Services links the east coast centers with Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, and other towns; Newmans Coach Lines operates on the Wellington Napier route.

Accommodations.Simple accommodations are available in some of the scattered East Cape settlements, among them Waihau Bay, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Ruatoria, Te Puia, and Tolaga Bay. Gisborne accommodations include the Sandown Park Motor Hotel, DB Gisborne Hotel, Teal Motor Lodge, Blue Pacific Beachfront Motel, and Orange Grove Motel. Urewera National Park visitors stay in motel, cabin, and camping facilities at Waikaremoana and Ruatahuna.

In Napier, centrally located accommodations include Napier Travel Inn, Tennyson Motor Inn, and the refurbished Masonic Establishment Hotel. Modern motels are clustered along Kennedy Road in the suburb of Pirimai and along Highway 2 north of town. In Hastings, there's a wide choice, including the Angus Inn, Mayfair Hotel, and Elmore Lodge Motel. In Havelock North, the DB Te Mata Hotel and several small motels serve travelers.

Getting around.

Railways Road Services motorcoaches provide scheduled service from Gisborne around East Cape to Opotiki (Bay of Plenty), and stop at Napier and Hastings on longer runs. Mount Cook Line coaches operate local service between Gisborne and Napier. Rental cars are available in Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings.

Tourist information. Obtain sightseeing suggestions at Public Relations Offices in Gisborne (209 Grey Street), Napier (on Marine Parade near the Colonnade), and Hastings (on Russell Street North). In Urewera National Park, tourist information is available at Aniwaniwa.