The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne
A four-day drive around the East Cape on SH35, past churches, a lighthouse, a long wharf and the first sunrise of the day.
- Distance
- 303 km (188 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 18 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 10
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 10, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 303 km (188 mi) with 10 stops, from Ōpōtiki to Kaiti Hill (Titirangi), Gisborne. About 3 h 18 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
Fill the tank and stock up at Ōpōtiki, then follow SH35 east along the coast. The road to Te Kaha is about 80 km and takes more than an hour, with bays, pōhutukawa and several one-lane bridges. Keep left and watch for logging trucks. Services are limited, so Te Kaha is the main stop for fuel and food before the remote cape. Phone coverage is patchy along this stretch, so tell someone your plan.
Continue past the white Raukokore church to Te Araroa, about 110 km from Te Kaha. The old pōhutukawa in the school grounds is a regional landmark. From Te Araroa, East Cape Road leads about 21 km to the lighthouse; the last part is gravel, and the climb is about 700 steps. Go before dawn to catch the sunrise, and take warm clothes.
Return to SH35 and drive south to Tikitiki, where St Mary’s Church is covered inside with Māori carving and woven panels. The road continues through Ruatoria and Tokomaru Bay to Tolaga Bay, about 150 km from the lighthouse turn, and the long concrete wharf. Allow plenty of time, since this section is winding and slow, particularly in rain. There are a few small shops and cafés in the villages, and the beaches and bays along the way make good rest stops.
The final 55 km to Gisborne is easier, and the city has supermarkets, fuel, holiday parks and a museum. Climb Kaiti Hill for the view over Poverty Bay and the Cook landing site. Check NZTA for road conditions before you set off, since slips and washouts close parts of SH35 after heavy rain and detours are long. Keep a flexible schedule for the last day, so a closure does not cost you a flight or a ferry connection.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Ōpōtiki
New Zealand - 255 km
Te Kaha
New Zealand - 330 km
Raukokore Church
HistoryTe Kaha, New ZealandA small white Anglican church from 1894 standing on a coastal point above the sea, a landmark of the East Cape coast road. It is usually open to visitors. Please stay respectful during services and take care at the roadside stop.
- 445 km
Te Waha-o-Rerekohu Pōhutukawa
NatureTe Araroa, New ZealandA very large old pōhutukawa in the school grounds at Te Araroa, thought to be several hundred years old. It is a regional landmark, with many trunks that spread wide. Visit outside school hours and keep to the paths around the tree.
- 520 km
East Cape Lighthouse
ViewsTe Araroa, New ZealandThe most easterly lighthouse on the mainland, reached by 21 km of East Cape Road, partly gravel, and a climb of about 700 steps. Arrive before dawn to see the sunrise. Take water and warm clothes.
- 620 km
St Mary’s Church, Tikitiki
HistoryTe Araroa, New ZealandA 1920s Anglican church whose interior is covered with Māori carving, woven panels and painted rafters, built as a memorial to soldiers. It stands beside SH35. Visit quietly, and respect services when they are held.
- 779 km
Tolaga Bay
New Zealand - 82 km
Tolaga Bay Wharf
HistoryTolaga Bay, New ZealandA 660-metre concrete wharf, one of the longest in the Southern Hemisphere, extending over the bay. Walk to the end for views along the coast. The Cook’s Cove walk starts nearby, and the wharf is safe in fine weather.
- 949 km
Gisborne
New Zealand - 103 km
Kaiti Hill (Titirangi), Gisborne
ViewsGisborne, New ZealandA hill above the city with a lookout over Poverty Bay and the Cook landing site below, marking where Captain Cook first came ashore in 1769. Drive up or walk from the harbour. The view suits sunrise, among the first in the world.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Ōpōtiki → Raukokore Church · 85 km · 0 h 56 minOn the way: Te Kaha.
- Day 2: Raukokore Church → East Cape Lighthouse · 66 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Te Waha-o-Rerekohu Pōhutukawa.
- Day 3: East Cape Lighthouse → Tolaga Bay · 99 km · 1 h 05 minOn the way: St Mary’s Church, Tikitiki.
- Day 4: Tolaga Bay → Kaiti Hill (Titirangi), Gisborne · 54 km · 0 h 35 minOn the way: Tolaga Bay Wharf, Gisborne.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, June–September and December. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne?
4-day road trip of about 303 km (188 mi) with 10 stops, from Ōpōtiki to Kaiti Hill (Titirangi), Gisborne. About 3 h 18 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne?
We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 18 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne start and end?
It starts in Ōpōtiki and ends in Kaiti Hill (Titirangi), Gisborne.
Which states does The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for The East Cape road from Ōpōtiki to Gisborne?
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in February, June–September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
