New Zealand Cycle Route - Tauranga to Gisborne

This route is via the East Cape around the coast to Gisborne and is a journey of 493 kilometers.

The ride can be done in easy stages so that there is time to enjoy the ride and the towns that you visit each day. The ride out to the East Cape from Te Araroa is short but is a day not to be missed.There is a climb to the lighthouse which includes 728 stairs so you need time for that.
At Tikitiki the St Marys church incorporates the carvings and Tukutuku woven panels which were created by the local Ngati Porou craftspeople and the pulpit was a gift from the Te Arawa tribe.

From	To	Distance
Awakeri Hot Springs	Hawai	87
Hawai	Waihou Bay	75
Waihou Bay	Te Araroa	65
Te Araroa	East Cape	44
Te Araroa	Tokomaru Bay	80
Tokomaru Bay	Gisborne	93
Total		444

This route is through isolated and remote country so is ideal for cycle touring. The scenery is spectacular as the route hugs the coast with fantastic beaches and a dark blue ocean and while it is rolling country and there are demanding hills they are not to difficult. There are camping grounds and other accommodation on offer.

One thing to watch out for are the logging trucks especially as you near Gisborne. The drivers we found were professional and we took great care to allow for the trucks but if there are logging trucks going both ways there is not a lot of room left on the road for bikes. The condition of the roads are also deteriorating as a result of the high volume of trucks.