Tour of East Cape

[Jinx3d]

Anyone done a tour of the east cape?

I'm planning to do a run round the east cape, round to Gisbourne. I'm keen to find out if anyone knows good places to stay on the way round and what the travel times are.

Cheers for any info

Thanks!

[Zukin]

Hi there

Excellent choice for a tour

I did it on an XR250, about this time last year, I did do it in a day though, from Napier to Ohope Beach, it was a long day!!:gob:

I would suggest stopping at Hicks Bay, or somewhere close by, depends on how long you want it to take?

Have a look at my trip report
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34709

Cheers Scott

[robertydog]

You will enjoy that ride. I did it early this year. But i rode from Whitianga in the Coromandal, around the Bay of plenty, East cape and stopped off in Gisbourne. In one day.

[heathen]

Good choice, it's an awesome ride around the east coast! From memory the only accommodation around the halfway mark is a motel & backpackers in Hick's Bay, mind you it's been a while since I've riden around the coast so there may be a few more place to stay now. Opotiki to hick's bay is about 150km (very twisty :2thumbsup ) then from hick's bay to Gisborne is about 180km. While you're in Hicks Bay it's worth zipping out to the lighthouse as was mentioned in "Zukin" write-up.
It's also worth mentioning that it can get pretty lawless around the coast, watch out for roaming stock, horses, dogs, locals in unwarrantable cars doing 15km/hr in the middle on the road that will turn in either direction in a heartbeat, slips, and roadworks without warning signage...I'm not trying to put you off, it's a great ride, it just reqires abit more care that usual.....have fun!.....

[Clivoris]

Good choice, it's an awesome ride around the east coast! From memory the only accommodation around the halfway mark is a motel & backpackers in Hick's Bay, mind you it's been a while since I've riden around the coast so there may be a few more place to stay now. Opotiki to hick's bay is about 150km (very twisty :2thumbsup ) then from hick's bay to Gisborne is about 180km. While you're in Hicks Bay it's worth zipping out to the lighthouse as was mentioned in "Zukin" write-up.
It's also worth mentioning that it can get pretty lawless around the coast, watch out for roaming stock, horses, dogs, locals in unwarrantable cars doing 15km/hr in the middle on the road that will turn in either direction in a heartbeat, slips, and roadworks without warning signage...I'm not trying to put you off, it's a great ride, it just reqires abit more care that usual.....have fun!.....

On the money there. There is also a decent campsite with cabins just to the North of Te Araroa. Which is just south of Hicks Bay. The Waioeka Gorge between Gizzy and Opotoki is also compulsory. One of the top 5 roads in NZ.

[banditrider]

Great Ride - a total blast. Haven't really stayed anywhere out there except Ohope Beach Top Ten.

Watch out for roadworks and stock.

http://banditrider.blogspot.com/2007/06/great-rides-east-cape.html

[NUTBAR]

On the money there. There is also a decent campsite with cabins just to the North of Te Araroa. Which is just south of Hicks Bay. The Waioeka Gorge between Gizzy and Opotoki is also compulsory. One of the top 5 roads in NZ.

watch out for green moss on the road through the gorge.
stayed at the back packers in tolaga bay last time i went through, was very nice place.

[Krayy]

watch out for green moss on the road through the gorge.
stayed at the back packers in tolaga bay last time i went through, was very nice place.
I thought it was cow sh*t that gets dropped by the stock trucks rather than moss :sick:

How bout stopping in Ruatoria?

[Tonka]

Anyone done a tour of the east cape?

I'm planning to do a run round the east cape, round to Gisbourne. I'm keen to find out if anyone knows good places to stay on the way round and what the travel times are.

Cheers for any info

Thanks!

Hey Jinx,

I live in Whakatane and the Cape is my backyard. I did the Cape run with a friend only a month or so ago and the road conditions are excellent at the moment. All but one of the major roadworks between TeAraroa and Tikitiki have been sealed so that makes a huge difference time wise.

We left at 8am and arrived home 5pm but we did come across the odd dog, pheasant, wild pig, A BIG BROWN BULL, a couple bloody horses and the odd turkey BUT it was all good. Just ride with caution and you'll be fine.

Some of the distances are:
Whakatane to Opotiki 46km
Whakatane to Te Kaha 111km
Whakatane to Te Araroa 207km
Whakatane round to Gisborne 385km
Complete loop back to Whakatane 575km.

Depending on your route top up in Opotiki, then refuel in Te Araroa and that should get you through to Gisborne. Top up again in Gizzy and that will get you back to Opotiki/Whakatane.

Going the other way Opotiki, Gisborne, TeAraroa, Whakatane.

You will love it mate, safe riding.

T

[banditrider]

We left at 8am and arrived home 5pm but we did come across the odd dog, pheasant, wild pig, A BIG BROWN BULL, a couple bloody horses and the odd turkey BUT it was all good.

Is that all? Last time I went around the Cape (Southern X) I had to avoid an emu! It was the size of cow with the brains of a sheep!

It's a great ride all right but keep ya wits about ya!

[mdo]

Fantastic ride, have done it 3 times over the last few years (but always in summer) in both directions. A very nice place to stay is "Brian's Place", a backpacker in Tolago Bay overlooking the bay.

[Jinx3d]

Hey guys,

thats awesome.

Thanks for the info.

:rockon:

[Highlander]

When are you thinking of doing it?
Was thinking about a Tauranga to Gisborne (for lunch) then back to Tauranga day out doing the loop.

[BarBender]

Hey Jinx,

I live in Whakatane and the Cape is my backyard....

Due for another one soon eh?
Has Doc got those photo yet?

[mattimeo]

Good thread.

Sounds like a choice wee blast! I've been thinking this loop for a while. Cheers for the info guys...

[Tonka]

Due for another one soon eh?
Has Doc got those photo yet?


Yeah bro, we sure have been planning another trip. If the weather is good next week we are gonna be introducing "silver" to the the Cape Loop!

As for doc, he has the pics but doesnt know how to transfer from the PC to disc....leave it with us. Will get it sorted.

[Taz]

Try to avoid stopping in Ruatoria.... It's the festering pimple on the arse of the east cape. One of the few places where 8 year olds are scary.

[BarBender]

Yeah bro, we sure have been planning another trip. If the weather is good next week we are gonna be introducing "silver" to the the Cape Loop!

As for doc, he has the pics but doesnt know how to transfer from the PC to disc....leave it with us. Will get it sorted.

Is that this weekend?

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Tonka]

Might be sometime during the week bro...U know us shifties....different weekend days to weekly 9-5 workers!! On Sunday we are looking at doing a ride with Underwood/Wilkins shop. Sounds like they are heading to Raglan...will be around 20-30 riders on the day.

[fishb8nz]

If you want to have a stop-over at Hicks Bay Motel, it pays to book as there isn't a lot of accommodation in the area. The wife and I had a leisurely tour last Nov and EVERYWHERE was just about fully booked.
Pic of Brian's, Place, Tolaga Bay, during summer,2005.