Tour of East Cape

**Jinx3d** · 5th August 2007, 20:29

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** · 5th August 2007, 22:32

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!!

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/sh...ad.php?t=34709

Cheers Scott

**robertydog** · 6th August 2007, 09:08

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** · 6th August 2007, 10:05

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

) 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** · 6th August 2007, 19:45

Originally Posted by 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

) 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** · 6th August 2007, 20:17

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...east-cape.html

**NUTBAR** · 6th August 2007, 21:49

Originally Posted by Clivoris

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** · 8th August 2007, 11:03

Originally Posted by bravo1

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

How bout stopping in Ruatoria?

**Tonka** · 9th August 2007, 18:23

Originally Posted by 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!

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** · 9th August 2007, 20:49

Originally Posted by Tonka

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** · 9th August 2007, 21:26

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.