Regions of Eastland
The Motu River
Just up from Opotiki is the Motu River. With a catchment area of 900 square kilometres of native bush, a drop of nearly half a kilometre over its 110km length and majestic scenery, the Motu is one of New Zealand's great wild rivers. Although jetboating this river is exciting, the real thrill is to travel by raft – and that's a five-day journey.
East Cape
The largest and oldest pohutukawa in New Zealand is at
Te Araroa, just north of East Cape. Sleeping at the base of the East Cape lighthouse in the most easterly location on New Zealand's mainland means you will be among the first in the world to watch the sunrise. Make a point of tuning into
98.1 Radio Ngati Porou, the Voice of the Coast, for some local music.
The road on the south side of the East Cape shies away from the coast, but any sign that ends in 'Bay' is worth driving to, like Waipiro or
Anaura. Another stop could be Te Puia Springs Hotel, where a guaranteed sedative is having a cold beer in the hot pools.
St Mary's church at Tikitiki boasts some of the finest woodcarving and tukutuku panels you will see anywhere. Mount Hikurangi is Eastland's highest peak (1754 metres) and the North Island's highest non-volcanic peak. This is the first site on mainland New Zealand to receive each day's light. Ngati Porou, the dominant tribe in this area, have a long spiritual and historical association with Mount Hikurangi.
