East Cape: Ōpōtiki to Te Araroa

SH 35, Te Araroa Road, Waiapu Road · Ōpōtiki → Te Araroa

Twisty98 mi2 hr 40 min5,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 600 ftOne way

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The drive

State Highway 35 leaves Ōpōtiki on SH2, heads north along St John Street and turns east to follow the coast around the East Cape. This drive runs it to Te Araroa: 157 km (98 mi) in about 2 hr 40 min, past bays and beaches with curves most of the way.

Te Kaha, on the way, is a small community with a couple of dairies and a resort. The drive ends just past Te Araroa, and the side road to the East Cape lighthouse is not part of it.

Combined with the Te Araroa to Gisborne drive, it makes the full East Cape circuit.

Along the way

Ōpōtiki
Te Kaha
Te Araroa

Elevation

5,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 600 ft

ŌpōtikiTe Araroa

Curves

Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches

mi 17–26mi 45–55mi 72–87

ŌpōtikiTe Araroa

GentleHairpins

Good to know

Slips have closed parts of this highway, including near Hicks Bay, and NZTA warns of short-notice closures and delays where the ground moves, so check its journey planner before you go.
Services and fuel are far apart on this stretch, so fill up before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check NZTA Journey Planner.

Questions about this drive

How long does the East Cape drive from Ōpōtiki to Te Araroa take?

State Highway 35 from Ōpōtiki to Te Araroa is 157 km (98 mi) and takes about 2 hr 40 min without stops.

Does the road around the East Cape close?

It can close at short notice after slips, including near Hicks Bay, so check NZTA's journey planner on the day.

Where does State Highway 35 start?

State Highway 35 starts on State Highway 2 at Ōpōtiki, heads north along St John Street, then turns east along the coast.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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