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East Cape: Te Araroa to Gisborne, East Cape, Gisborne
Photo: russellstreet · CC BY-SA 2.0 · cropped

Drives Gisborne, New Zealand Bay of Plenty and the East Cape

East Cape: Te Araroa to Gisborne

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

Sweeping103 mi3 hr 5 min5,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 900 ftOne way
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The drive

This is the second half of the East Cape circuit on State Highway 35, run from Te Araroa south to Gisborne: 166 km (103 mi) in about three hours, through coast and hill country with long, near-empty stretches. Most of the curves are gentle, with one twisty stretch.

The highway passes through Tokomaru Bay, about 91 km north of Gisborne, a small beachside community on the remote East Coast, and then Tolaga Bay. Tolaga Bay has a wharf of about 600 m, built in the 1920s, which is the second longest in New Zealand. The drive finishes on SH35 at the edge of Gisborne.

SH35 is part of the Pacific Coast Highway. The side road to the East Cape lighthouse is not part of this drive.

Along the way

  1. Te Araroa
  2. Tokomaru Bay
  3. Tolaga Bay
  4. Gisborne
Elevation
5,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 900 ft
Te AraroaGisborne
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
Te AraroaGisborne
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Service towns are far apart, so fill up before you go and check opening hours in the small settlements.
  • SH35 can close at short notice after storms, and slips have closed parts of it, so check NZTA's journey planner first.

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 Te Araroa to Gisborne take?

State Highway 35 from Te Araroa to Gisborne is 166 km (103 mi) and takes about 3 hr 5 min without stops.

Is there a long wharf on the East Cape drive?

Yes. Tolaga Bay, on State Highway 35, has a wharf of about 600 m, built in the 1920s, which is the second longest in New Zealand.

Is State Highway 35 around the East Cape twisty?

On this half, from Te Araroa to Gisborne, State Highway 35 has mostly gentle curves with one twisty stretch, though it is long and remote.

Can the East Cape road close?

Yes. State Highway 35 can close at short notice after storms and slips, so check NZTA's journey planner before you leave.

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.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

All 2 drives in Gisborne, New Zealand ›

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

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Map of East Cape: Te Araroa to Gisborne, from Te Araroa to Gisborne