East Cape Tour-tips appreciated

[idb]

A bunch of us blokes from down this way do a week-long tour every year of the South Island.
For a change we thought we might do the East Cape this year (around November).
Intentions at this stage are to get to Picton in one day, then probably Napier the next and up as far as Tauranga before turning around.

I'm looking for any advice on places to stay and any tips on the best roads.
The preference is for twisty roads with a leer-up at the end of each day - busloads of backpackers a bonus (what happens on tour etc etc.......).

[Matt Bleck]

the roads from Gissy up to Te aroa are shit at the moment, gravel and slips from the recent flooding.

But still a good ride just take care.

[Warr]

Can someone confirm the state of the Pub at TeAroroa ?? Someone said it burnt down??? Stayed there last Easter All good.

[Matt Bleck]

Yeah mate she's gone.

[Warr]

Darn. Is there anywhere to say there now ?

[Lou Girardin]

We did it in Feb. The road from Tokomaru to Te Araroa has a fair bit of roadworks going on, but it's not too bad. From there north it's fine.
You'll need to book accomodation, there's a motel at Hicks Bay which is much better than it looks at first and it has a bar. The Te Araroa campground is good apparently.
it's still a great ride.

[idb]

We did it in Feb. The road from Tokomaru to Te Araroa has a fair bit of roadworks going on, but it's not too bad. From there north it's fine.
You'll need to book accomodation, there's a motel at Hicks Bay which is much better than it looks at first and it has a bar. The Te Araroa campground is good apparently.
it's still a great ride.
It was your ride that partly inspired me to suggest the Cape.
The roadworks should be gone by November surely - or is this one of those parts of the country under constant repair?

[emaN]

Spent a week 'round there in Feb.
Beaches & sights are aplenty - you won't get sick of 'em..

We drove the Frasertown - Gizzy road; on a bike it would be wikkid! Def recommend it!

There's a cool campground in Te Araroa called "Sunny Camp" or something similar - it's at the northern end of the bay. (don't go past it and stay in the next one-pretty skanky from what we were told).

There was a bit of shingle around, but nothin' to wreck a ride.
I'd hope it was well n' truly done by the time you got there!!!

[idb]

So, as a suggestion what about Napier-Gisborne day one, Gisborne-Hicks Bay day two, Hicks Bay-Whakatane day three, Whakatane-Tauranga day four and run home? Or maybe straight from Hicks Bay to Tauranga - it doesn't look too far.

Would they be reasonable days - too long, too short?

We could do that in eight days all up at a stretch I reckon.
Make pain your friend!

[What?]

You are talking some short hops there. Napier - Gisborne - Te Araroa is a cruisy half-day ride, as is TA - Whakatane - Tauranga.
(this will upset somebody...) Gisborne is one of those places I can see no reason to stop in, other than it beats the fuck out of Wairoa.
Hicks bay motel is good - if you are not tenting, consider stopping there, or at Te Puia hotel (got hot springs, y'know). You are unlikely to be pissing it up with busloads of backpackers in either place, though.

[Colapop]

If you're looking to get gear washed and sorted (maybe on the way back) there's a laundromat in Wairoa. You'll be benefitting me as it's my old man's place (KEA Hire). Vista del Rio (motel) in Wairoa northern side of bridge, a couple of crap pubs and greasy F+C's. Not much else really. A nice stop Wairoa - Gizzy is Morere Hot Springs about half way along (just after Nuhaka heading north). Mahia is a good spot - it's even got a pub now. It's a tiny bit off the track but maybe worth an overnighter. It's 5 1/2 hours by cage from here to Wairoa.

[Bandit Rider]

Great ride, easy day's riding Whakatane to Gisborne, but you will probably want to take your time. We did it the day the pub at Te Araroa was burning down. Not surprisingly the folk in the town were a bit distracted, so didn't get our lunch at Te Araroa.

From TeAraroa there is a ride out to East Cape didn't do it, but would be worth looking into.

Enjoyed the Te Araroa to Whakatane part most - I would allow most of the extra time for that area.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

I have done this trip many times. If you do the whole loop from Gisborne it is 592km. From Gisborne got through the Waioeka Gorge - very twisty. From Opotiki take SH35 to Te Kaha, Waihau Bay, Whangaparaoa, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Tikitiki, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay back to Gisborne (340km). There is a great backpackers at Tolaga Bay. Make sure you fill up at Gisborne - petrol stations are few and far between!

[Gixxer 4 ever]

This is my country as well. So try this
Napier to Opotiki day one. That is Napier Gisborne Opotiki.
Stay here. http://www.eastlandpacific.co.nz But book. They are very nice and the rooms are clean and fresh. Were when I was there last. Locked our bikes in the garage for the night.
Other info here http://opotiki.com/data/accommod.htm

Then Opotiki up the cape and lunch at Hicks Bay. Then on to Gisborne for the night. It is better to come down the east cape or you miss the great views. A lot to see on this trip if you take a book and look around.

Then back to Opotiki. It is worth the ride. It is great and the second time around it will be better. A long boring ride to the gorge but then let the fun begin.

Then Opotiki to Rotorua.Via H/W 30.
Then North. Others can tell you from there but the ride to Tauranga via H/W 33 is ok but a main road. Sure others can give you back roads.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

When we stayed at Hicks Bay we got in the bar till late. When we got back to our rooms the ladies next door growled about the noise. We boys grunted and went to bed. Got woken up at 4.30 cos they were going fishing and decided what is good for the goose......... you get the picture. Sat out on the step and had a smoke and a chat with them. We had booked breaky for 7.30. What the hell do you do from 6 till 7.30. The owner invited us for breaky at 6.30 when he found out we were up. Then off for a great days riding. Great place.
Take water cos it gets hot......bloody hot...........Drink plenty. Fill the fuel to the top when you leave Opotiki. You should be able to get Fuel at Te Araroa if you need it but you should all get to Gisborne ok. I took an 85 Gixxer that only did 200 k per tank so I got fuel at Te Araroa. Even @ 20cnts a litre above the normal price it is good to have.
Let us know when you are in Napier. We will show you around our patch.

[denill]

Couple of years ago we stayed at the TePuia Springs hotel. great hospitality. Email: tpshotel@ihug.co.nz but the owners could be different now??
The Wairoa - Tinoroto ride is IMO far more interesting (twisty) than SH2.

Also the back road via Pongoroa - Wimbledon - Waipukurau - Patangata - Havelock Nth is in the same category. Lotsa fun and no cop problems. You would hardly reach 110ks anyhow.........

Have fun.:laugh: :laugh:

[pritch]

The first time I went around the cape I did it south to north. I was told that this is not the best option and that it's better to go around the cape heading south. Having now done it both ways I agree. You could use the Waioeka Gorge to go north.

When I went through there a few weeks ago there were quite a lot of roadworks in the gorge. The road surface around the Cape will probably never be *that* great as there is quite a lot of road, not many people, and even less work in the area. All of which leads to a shortage of funding.

Still a superlative ride though.

[denill]

The road surface around the Cape will probably never be *that* great as there is quite a lot of road, not many people, and even less work in the area. All of which leads to a shortage of funding.
Still a superlative ride though.

Yeah, to me the surface of the road is NOT that important. If we only had choices of Motorways what a TOTALLY boring place to ride that would be, eh. I guess I am not the only one. If I am touring and time is not important - I will take the back road everytime. And I guess I am not the only one there either??

[Lou Girardin]

Gisborne is one of those places I can see no reason to stop in, other than it beats the fuck out of Wairoa.
.

Apart from good restaurants, bars, wineries, beaches.

[rogson]

Rode the Waioeka Gorge and back a couple of weeks ago. Worth doing both ways since going up is quite a bit different from going down (especially near the top). Has to be one of the best sections of extended/sealed/twisty road in NZ.

East Cape also has some great gravel roads which I'm planning on exploring next summer

[Gixxer 4 ever]

All the above is true. But remember if the sign is posting a 15 km speed it pays to slow down to that. I wouldn't double it and 10 if I was you .

[idb]

Cheers all.
I need to sit down with a map and work it through.
It sounds like we won't need to assign as much time to the ride as I thought which is good cos we really want to come home down the West Coast of the SI - always the best part of our trip.

I've had some advice by PM suggesting that we stay away altogether cos bikers are possible targets by local gangs - as I replied it's hard to comprehend from down here.

If we go I'll be sure and catch up with whomever possible on the way.

I think I'll work out a possible route home and come back for more advice.

[MSTRS]

Possible route.....
Welly - Napier - Wairoa - Frasertown - Tiniroto - Makaraka - Opotiki - Hicks Bay - Gisborne - Opotiki - Rotorua - Tauranga (Pyes Pa Rd) - Kaimais - Tokoroa - Whakamaru - TeKuiti - Taumaranui - Raetahi - Wanganui - Welly
Welly to Napier is boring but if you can get 'guides' then the Weber route is highly recommended (easy to get lost without local knowledge).
Wangers to Welly is also boring but I know of no alternative.
The rest of my suggestion takes in some of the best motorcycling roads & scenery that this part of the country has to offer.
FWIW I agree with doing the Cape clockwise

[Pixie]

So, as a suggestion what about Napier-Gisborne day one, Gisborne-Hicks Bay day two, Hicks Bay-Whakatane day three, Whakatane-Tauranga day four and run home? Or maybe straight from Hicks Bay to Tauranga - it doesn't look too far.

Would they be reasonable days - too long, too short?

We could do that in eight days all up at a stretch I reckon.
Make pain your friend!
Hicks to tauranga is easy
I did Hicks to Kaipara, and only got a DVT in one leg

[MSTRS]

....Hicks to Kaipara, and only got a DVT in one leg
BwaaHaaHaa:killingme

[denill]

Welly to Napier is boring but if you can get 'guides' then the Weber route is highly recommended (easy to get lost without local knowledge).
Yeah, you're right that is why I suggested - if not in a hurry, the Martinborough - Pongoroa - Wimbledon - Waipukurau - Patangata - Havelock Nth route. All sealed roads. NOT boring. It adds quite a lot to the distance travelled though. From memory - around 100 ks.

[MSTRS]

Yeah, you're right that is why I suggested - if not in a hurry, the Martinborough - Pongoroa - Wimbledon - Waipukurau - Patangata - Havelock Nth route. All sealed roads. NOT boring. It adds quite a lot to the distance travelled though. From memory - around 100 ks.
Sounds about right.
Your mission if you choose to accept it is to choose whether to....
300ks boring x infinity
400ks OH MY GOD - PASS ME THE TISSUES !!!!

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Cheers all.
II've had some advice by PM suggesting that we stay away altogether cos bikers are possible targets by local gangs - as I replied it's hard to comprehend from down here.

.
Ummm :pinch: a bit over stated I think. :Pokey: This country is not as wild west as some might like to portray it....:cool: ....

[Lou Girardin]

I've had some advice by PM suggesting that we stay away altogether cos bikers are possible targets by local gangs - as I replied it's hard to comprehend from down here.



We survived. But then a bandit with a house lot on the back will still outrun a Harley.

[idb]

Yeah, you're right that is why I suggested - if not in a hurry, the Martinborough - Pongoroa - Wimbledon - Waipukurau - Patangata - Havelock Nth route. All sealed roads. NOT boring. It adds quite a lot to the distance travelled though. From memory - around 100 ks.
Trying to figure that out on a map.
I'm in Martinborough - then do I head east to Tablelands then north to Gladstone or do I head north and meet the Gladstone road just north of Longbush then north through Gladstone, Longbush and into Masterton?

These are probably just names on a map with nobody there but they're all I've got at this stage.

[skelstar]

Head east out of Martinborough, towards Hinakura, then you drop down and take a very obvious left-hander. Sweeps around to your hard left (obv), gets narrow/single in places.

[idb]

Thanks Skelstar.
That sounds good to me.
I'm going to draw up a map and post it for comment in the next few days.

[scumdog]

So it sounds like that for a short time the deep south will be safe from a loony on a Ducati then???

Who will chivvy me for my early drinking then??