Ōpōtiki around the East Cape to Gisborne by Campervan

Quick summary: The East Cape is one of New Zealand’s most remote and beautiful campervan and motorhome routes, and one of the best road trips in the North Island for travellers who want to slow down. State Highway 35 follows the coast from Ōpōtiki around the eastern tip of the North Island to Gisborne, around 330 km, past pōhutukawa-lined bays, small Māori communities, historic churches and long, empty beaches. Allow at least two to three days.

At a glance
Start and end	Ōpōtiki to Gisborne via State Highway 35
Distance	Around 330 km
Pure driving time	Around 5 hours
Recommended time	2–3 days
Road character	Sealed; winding coastal road with hills, one-lane bridges and few services
Key stops	Ōpōtiki, Te Kaha, Waihau Bay, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, East Cape lighthouse, Tikitiki, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Gisborne
Overnight options	Small holiday parks and campgrounds along the coast, Gisborne holiday parks
Nearest pickup city	Auckland
Best for	Remote beaches, Māori culture, sunrises and quiet roads

Why drive around the East Cape?

Because it is the road less travelled, and it feels it. The East Cape, known to Māori as Te Tai Rāwhiti, is a place where Māori culture is part of everyday life, with marae, carved churches and small communities along the coast. The landscape is wild and green, with rugged hills dropping to bays of sand and rocks, and the beaches are often empty.

Being the most easterly point of the North Island, the East Cape is also one of the first places in the world to see the sunrise each day. Watching the sun come up from the lighthouse is an unforgettable start to a day.

What are the best stops around the East Cape?

Stop	Distance from Ōpōtiki	Time to allow	Campervan notes
Te Kaha	Around 65 km	1 hour	Bay with a historic whaling past
Waihau Bay	Around 105 km	1 hour to overnight	Sheltered bay with fishing and a store
Hicks Bay	Around 155 km	1 hour	Remote bay and old wharf ruins
Te Araroa	Around 170 km	1 hour	Home of a giant ancient pōhutukawa tree
East Cape lighthouse	Around 190 km (detour)	2 hours	Steps to the most easterly lighthouse in the country
Tikitiki	Around 195 km	30 min	Beautifully carved St Mary’s Church
Tokomaru Bay	Around 250 km	1 hour	Old freezing works and a sweeping beach
Tolaga Bay	Around 290 km	1–2 hours	Historic wharf and Cook’s Cove walk
Gisborne	Around 330 km	1–2 days	City with beaches and wineries

Te Araroa and the East Cape lighthouse

Te Araroa is home to Te Waha o Rerekohu, one of the largest and oldest pōhutukawa trees in New Zealand. From here, a road leads around 20 km to the East Cape lighthouse, where a long flight of steps climbs to the lighthouse for sweeping coastal views. The road to the lighthouse is unsealed; see our guide to roads to check in your rental terms.

Tikitiki

St Mary’s Church at Tikitiki is one of the most beautiful churches in New Zealand, with an interior richly decorated in traditional Māori carvings and woven panels.

Tolaga Bay

Tolaga Bay’s historic wharf stretches far out into the bay, one of the longest in the country. Nearby, the Cook’s Cove Walkway leads over farmland to a cove where Captain Cook anchored in the 18th century.

Gisborne

Gisborne, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, is where the voyaging waka Horouta landed and where Cook made his first New Zealand landfall. It is a sunny city with surf beaches, Chardonnay vineyards and a relaxed atmosphere. Walk up Titirangi/Kaiti Hill for views over the city and Poverty Bay.

What tours and experiences are available along this route?

• Guided cultural experiences with local iwi, sharing the stories of the region.
• Horse trekking on the beaches and hills of the cape.
• Fishing and diving in the sheltered bays.
• Wine tasting in the Gisborne wine region.
• Surfing at Gisborne’s beaches.
• Coastal walks such as the Cook’s Cove Walkway and the Titirangi/Kaiti Hill tracks in Gisborne.

Where can you stay overnight on this route?

• Small holiday parks and campgrounds at Te Kaha, Waihau Bay, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Tokomaru Bay and Tolaga Bay.
• Gisborne has holiday parks with full facilities.
• Freedom camping is limited on the East Cape, even for self-contained vehicles, as much of the land is Māori-owned; use campgrounds, and see our freedom camping guide.

Respect private and Māori land: ask before entering, and never camp, fish or gather seafood without permission.

What are the driving conditions like?

State Highway 35 is sealed throughout, but it is winding and hilly for much of its length, with many one-lane bridges and some narrow sections close to the sea. Livestock may be on or near the road. Drive at a relaxed pace and allow plenty of time. Slips can affect the road after heavy rain, so check conditions before you go.

Where are fuel, supermarkets and dump stations?

Services are very limited on the East Cape. Fill up with fuel, groceries and water in Ōpōtiki or Whakatāne before you set off. Small stores and fuel are available in some settlements, but don’t rely on them. Gisborne has full services. See our dump stations and water guide.

How long should you spend on this route?

• Day 1: Ōpōtiki to Waihau Bay or Te Araroa, around 105–170 km.
• Day 2: Sunrise at the East Cape lighthouse, Tikitiki, then on to Tokomaru Bay or Tolaga Bay.
• Day 3: Tolaga Bay wharf and Cook’s Cove, then on to Gisborne.

Is the East Cape a good RV trip for first-timers?

It is better suited to travellers who are already comfortable with their vehicle. The road is sealed but long, winding and hilly, services are scarce, and campgrounds are small. Spend a few days elsewhere first, then enjoy the East Cape once driving a campervan or motorhome feels natural.

Which routes connect to this leg?

• Before: Rotorua and Taupō or the Coromandel to Tauranga, then east via Whakatāne to Ōpōtiki.
• Next: Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa from Gisborne to Napier and Wellington.

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