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North Island
ROTORUA - GISBORNE
There are two options to get to Gisborne from Rotorua in your
Budget Campers Motor Home Rentals. The first is the coastal route (Pacific Coast
Highway) from Whakatane around the East Cape to Gisborne. If
visitors choose to do this it is recommended they extend this
itinerary by one day and overnight in the East Cape area. The
second is the inland road from Whakatane to Gisborne.
OPTION ONE
ROTORUA - HICKS BAY, EAST CAPE (290km/180miles, 5hours 35mins)
Depart in your Budget Campers Motor Home Rentals from Rotorua on State Highway 30
for Whakatane. Stop at expansive Ohope Beach for a break and then
continue to Hicks Bay on the East Cape. The journey of about
three hours takes in azure-coloured bays and beaches and New
Zealand's native pohutukawa trees abound. Break the journey at
Whanarua Bay, one of the prettiest bays on the coast for a swim,
a picnic, or a bush walk and then boil up the kettle in your Budget
Camper for a nice cup of tea.
Find accommodation in the area. Suggestions include Hicks Bay
or Lottin Point - camping and motor home facilities are available
as well as motel accommodation.
Activities and attractions in the area include:
- Hicks Bay: this remote
bay offers superb scenery, bush walks and views of giant
puriri trees (natives of New Zealand). While here visit
the old wharf and the magnificent Waihirere Falls (access
is available through a farmer's paddock). Hicks Bay is a
great spot for camping with a wide open beach and
beautiful scenery
- East Cape Lighthouse:
gaze out from the most easterly point of mainland New
Zealand. Detour from Te Araroa and allow one hour driving
time plus 40 minutes to walk to the lighthouse
- Te Araroa: admire the
600-year-old Te Waha-o-Rerekohu, said to be the largest
pohutukawa tree (red-flowering native of New Zealand) in
the world
- Tikitiki Church: visit
one of the most ornate Maori churches (St Mary's) in New
Zealand
HICKS BAY - GISBORNE
(180km/112miles, 3hours 40mins)
Journey to Gisborne, stopping at numerous points of interest
on the way including:
- Waipiro Bay: once the
largest settlement on the East Coast
- Mt Hikurangi: go to
the first mainland place in the world to see the sunrise
- Anaura Bay: walk the
Anaura Bay Walkway, with panoramic views (an easy
two-hour walk)
- Tolaga Bay: walk down
the longest pier in New Zealand
- Cooks Cove, near Tolaga
Bay: see where Captain Cook moored the Endeavour in
1769
Overnight in Gisborne. This is the
main centre of the East Coast region and there is a range of
accommodation to choose from. Dine at a local restaurant and
sample the locally produced Chardonnay wine.
See Gisborne activities below.
OPTION TWO
Take State Highway 30 in your Budget Campers Motor Home Rentals to Whakatane and
then turn inland and take State Highway 2 to Gisborne. This road
is known as the Waioeka Scenic Highway, a magnificent drive that
winds through native forest. The Waioeka Scenic Reserve is a
great environment for fishing, river swimming and rafting.
Blue waters, white sands, lush forested hills, park your Budget Camper up, take in the big surf and sheltered coves, sun,
wine, seafood and a blend of history and culture aptly describes
the Eastland region. Mt Hikurangi, which is the first mainland
place in the world to see the sun, is steeped in Maori history.
As Captain Cook sailed around the point of land now named Young
Nicks Head in 1769, he landed at Kaiti Beach, Gisborne, where he
was the first European to set foot on New Zealand. Today, this
region attracts holidaymakers and surfers from all over the
world.
On arrival into Gisborne, activities and attractions
include:
Local History
- Captain Cook's Landing
Site National Reserve, Kaiti Beach
- Tairawhiti Museum and Arts
Centre: see a fine collection of European and Maori
artefacts and an extensive photographic collection
- Heritage Trails: enjoy
a city or district trail to key places of historical
significance
- East Coast Museum of
Technology: wander through a fine collection of
lovingly restored machinery
Sightseeing
- Te Poho O Rawiri Marae:
visitors can be guided through the marae by appointment
only and at the discretion of the local iwi. Koha (a
gift) is appropriate
- Titirangi Domain, Kaiti
Hill: take in views over the Gisborne area with the
picturesque white cliffs of Young Nicks Head in the
background
- Eastwoodhill Arboretum in
Ngatapa: view the largest collection of Northern
Hemisphere trees and shrubs in the Southern Hemisphere
- Hackfall's Arboretum:
enjoy one of the largest private collections of oak,
maple and poplar trees in New Zealand
Gisborne is well known for its
Chardonnay wines, so spend time in the afternoon tasting some
award-winning wines from the region.
Visitors able to stay additional days in the Eastland
region can choose from the following attractions and activities:
- Charter fishing:
experience the great sea fishing of which the East Coast
boasts
- Trout fishing:
qualified trout guides are available to take visitors to
magical spots in outlying rivers
- Horse trekking: spend
the day on farmland trails and along beaches
- Surfing: visitors can
ask a local surf guide to take them to where the waves
are
- Observing sharks: get
close to blue and mako sharks from a specially designed
snorkelling cage
- Hunting: deer and pig
hunting is available on private stations
For more information on the
Eastland region visit www.gisbornenz.com
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