Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Te Araroa, drive out to see the
East Cape Lighthouse
, the easterly tip of mainland NZ.
It's 21km (30 minutes) east of town along a mainly unsealed road, with a 25-minute climb
(750 steps!) to the lighthouse. Set your alarm and get up there for sunrise.
FREEDOM TO CAMP
Gisborne District Council
(GDC; 0800 653 800;
www.gdc.govt.nz/freedom-camping
)
is one of the few au-
thorities to permit freedom camping (extremely cheap informal camping), but only at a handful of designated
sites between Te Araroa and Gisborne from the end of September to early April. You can apply for a permit on-
line for two, 10 or 28 consecutive nights at a cost of $10, $25 and $60 respectively. Freedom camping is a priv-
ilege, so please follow the requirements in the GDC
Freedom Camping
leaflet, available online or at visitor
centres. Your own gas cooker, chemical toilet and water supply are obligatory.
East Cape to Tokomaru Bay
Heading through farmland south of Te Araroa, the first town you come to is
Tikitiki
. If you
haven't yet made it onto a
marae,
you'll get a fair idea of what you're missing out on by
visiting the extraordinary
St Mary's Church
(1924). It's nothing special from the outside, but
step inside for a sensory overload. There are woven
tukutuku
(flax panels) on the walls,
geometrically patterned stained-glass windows, painted beams and amazing carvings -
check out the little guys holding up the pulpit. A stained-glass crucifixion scene behind
the pulpit depicts WWI Maori Battalion soldiers in attendance.
Amid the farming sprawl of
Rangitukia
, 8km down towards the coast from Tikitiki,
Eastender Horse Treks
( 06-864 3033;
www.eastenderhorsetreks.co.nz
;
836 Rangitukia Rd, Rangitukia; 2/4hr treks
$85/120)
runs horse rides along the beach and can hook you up with bone-carving lessons
(from $60). Note that the beach here is dicey for swimming.
Mt Hikurangi
(1752m), jutting out of the Raukumara Range, is the highest non-volcanic
peak on the North Island and the first spot on Earth to see the sun each day. According to
local tradition it was the first piece of land dragged up when Maui snagged the North Is-
land. The Ngati Porou version of the Maui story has his canoe and earthly remains resting
here on their sacred mountain.
Continuing south, the road passes
Ruatoria
(shop, petrol and general desolation) and
Te
Puia Springs
(ditto). Along this stretch a 14km loop road offers a rewarding detour to
Waipiro
Bay
.
