Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
About 42km east of Opotiki the road crosses the broad pebbly expanse of the
Motu River
,
the first river in NZ to be designated as a protected wilderness area. Departing from the
Motu bridge on the highway, Motu River Jet Boat Tours (
Click here
)
blats up the river all
year round, weather permitting.
Wet 'n' Wild Rafting
( 0800 462 7238;
www.wetnwildrafting.co.nz
;
2-5
days $995-1095)
offers multiday excursions, with the longest taking you 100km down the
river. The two-day tour requires you to be helicoptered in, therefore costing as much as
the five-day trip.
Twenty-five kilometres further along, the fishing town of
Te Kaha
once sounded the
death knell for passing whales. There's a shop here, a holiday park, and the welcoming
B&B
Tui Lodge
( 07-325 2922;
www.tuilodge.co.nz
; 200 Copenhagen Rd, Te Kaha; s/d incl breakfast $135/160;
)
. This five-room guesthouse sits on groomed 3-acre gardens, irresistible to tui and
many other birds. Meals are available by arrangement, as are horse-trekking, fishing and
diving trips. For a meal, try your luck at the mod waterside
Te Kaha Beach Resort
(
07-325
)
.
2830;
www.tekahabeachresort.com
; 3 Hotel Rd, Te Kaha; mains $25-35;
3-9pm;
ESSENTIAL EAST COAST
Eat
Delicious fresh produce from the Hastings Farmers Market (
Click here
)
Drink
Hawke's Bay chardonnay
Read
Witi Ihimaera's 1987 novel
Whale Rider,
then watch the powerful 2002 movie adaptation
Listen to
Uawa FM (88.5FM, 88.8FM, 99.3FM) in Tolaga Bay
Watch
Boy
(2010), Taika Waititi's record-breaking and hilarious film, shot at Waihau Bay
Go green
Millton (
Click here
) vineyard - organic, biodynamic, and delicious to boot
Area code
Opotiki east to Hicks Bay
07; rest of the region
06
Te Kaha to Whangaparaoa (Cape Runaway)
A succession of sleepy bays extends from Te Kaha. Towards
Whanarua Bay
, the magical
Waikawa B&B
( 07-325 2070;
www.waikawa.net
; 7541 SH35, Te Kaha; d/units from $110/130, extra person $35;
)
sits in a private rocky cove with views of the sunset and White Island. The artful
buildings blend weathered timber, corrugated iron and paua inlay to great effect. There are
two double B&B rooms, and a two-bedroom self-contained bach, perfect for two to four
people.
