Some roads don't always lend themselves to taking the bus so in that case we have decided a car trip would be best. We had been quite keen to do the round trip around the East Cape from Gisborne to Opotiki but on closer scrutiny decided that is was a very long way and also quite isolated as far as finding places to camp. Our second option was to do a couple of day trips - one from Gisborne up the coast and then when we got to Opotiki another back along the coast for an hour or so.
From Gisborne we decided that Tologa Bay looked like a good trip. It is a place that we you have often heard about so was on the list of places to see. It was a good hour's trip north along the coast, past many picturesque bays. We parked beside the historic wharf, that has been restored in recent times. It had been quite an engineering feat in its time, stretching 700m out into the surf. We took a leisurely walk out to the end where we found several locals fishing.
Our second side trip was back along the coast from Opotiki to Te Kaha. This trip takes you along bluff and hills and gives you spectacular views of the Bay of Plenty. The area is quite isolated with small rural Maori communities scattered along the way. We stopped for a cuppa on a beach at Omaio before driving onto to Te Kaha and then retracing our steps. We finished our day with lunch at Opape. Our 'Short Walks' book lead us to the Tauturangi Walkway, an hour return walk along the old coach road. Initially we had tried to do this on our way out to Te Kaha but the tide was in, and it appeared we need to walk around the headlands and across a creek which was impossible at high tide. Even with the tide retreating gumboots were definitely the best form of footwear. The track took us through the bush up to a look-out across the bay to Whakatane with White Island and Moutohora or Whale Island in the distance. Unfortunately our views weren't that great as there was heavy cloud in the bay.
From Gisborne we decided that Tologa Bay looked like a good trip. It is a place that we you have often heard about so was on the list of places to see. It was a good hour's trip north along the coast, past many picturesque bays. We parked beside the historic wharf, that has been restored in recent times. It had been quite an engineering feat in its time, stretching 700m out into the surf. We took a leisurely walk out to the end where we found several locals fishing.
 |
| A view of the wharf from the lookout. |
 |
| Stephen standing on the wharf. |
In the same area is the walkway to Cook's Cove, the landing spot of Captain Cook in October 1769. A two hour return walk across local farm land is available to anyone who wants a good walk. It was such a beautiful day that was what we did. It was certainly a good walk. The first part is all uphill to a lookout over the cove, and then it takes you down through native bush to a wide open beach and cove. Another highlight is the 'hole in the wall' that looks through to the sea.
 |
| Looking down on the Cove from the Lookout. |
 |
| The famous 'hole in the wall'. |
 |
| Standing down in the Cove where Cook landed. |
 |
| The monument that is in place. |
Our second side trip was back along the coast from Opotiki to Te Kaha. This trip takes you along bluff and hills and gives you spectacular views of the Bay of Plenty. The area is quite isolated with small rural Maori communities scattered along the way. We stopped for a cuppa on a beach at Omaio before driving onto to Te Kaha and then retracing our steps. We finished our day with lunch at Opape. Our 'Short Walks' book lead us to the Tauturangi Walkway, an hour return walk along the old coach road. Initially we had tried to do this on our way out to Te Kaha but the tide was in, and it appeared we need to walk around the headlands and across a creek which was impossible at high tide. Even with the tide retreating gumboots were definitely the best form of footwear. The track took us through the bush up to a look-out across the bay to Whakatane with White Island and Moutohora or Whale Island in the distance. Unfortunately our views weren't that great as there was heavy cloud in the bay.
 |
| Stephen looking out towards White Island from the lookout on the Tauturangi Walkway. |
 |
| Picnic on Omaio Beach. |
No comments:
Post a Comment