Around the East Cape

Cut off by wooded mountains from the rest of North Island, sparsely populated East Cape clings to the leisurely pace of an earlier era. Pohutukawa trees border curving bays and deserted, log strewn beaches.

To explore the cape, follow the coastal road (Highway 35) from Opotiki. The route closely borders the Bay of Plenty northeast to Cape Runaway, then loops around past New Zealand's most easterly point and continues south, briefly touching the shore at Tokomaru and Tolaga bays before reaching Gisborne.

Captain Cook sailed along the East Cape shore in 1769 and anchored at Tolaga Bay to take on water and wood. In the 1830s, whalers operated along this scenic coast, but the cape's isolated location discouraged European settlement. East Cape traditionally has had a sizable Maori population; you can see excellent examples of Maori carving and art decoration in churches and meeting houses in Te Kaha, Hicks Bay, Tikitiki, and Ruatoria. Along the coast road, you'll pass Te Kaha, set in an attractive cove, and Hicks Bay, a popular campground. Te Araroa is known as New Zealand's most easterly village. Hot mineral springs are located at Te Puia. South of Tokomaru Bay, a short side road leads travelers to a magnificent stretch of beach and a coastal trail through Anaura Bay Scenic Reserve. Attractive Tolaga Bay offers good swimming and fishing; it's an easy walk to Cook's Cove, with its lookout points over the sheltered bay.