So, how to get to Gisborne from Turangi? When looking at the atlas at home, we thought it would be thrilling to drive through Te Urewera National Park, connecting from SH-5 to route 38 northeast of Taupo:
“The road from Murupara to Wairoa through the Ureweras is not a shortcut to Gisborne, but a scenic tour of one of the more remote places in the North Island. SH38 through Te Urewera National Park is a winding track, most of it gravel, but the surroundings are spectacular, especially as it snakes past Lake Waikaremoana.”
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| The route not traveled on |
However, our friend’s comment about how “scary” others younger and bolder than us have found that drive made us reconsider. As you can see from the photo, the road is really narrow and windy – meaning the driver would be concentrating on getting us safely to the other side and the passenger would be extremely nervous. If you do it, you need to be willing to spend the time it requires to truly appreciate the surroundings – spectacular, I am sure. Thrilling, too!
Instead, we took Route SH-5, the Thermal Explorer Highway or “the Napier Road”. As I recall it, lots of forests and logging. To take advantage of any of the thermal sites, you need to drive to them (all became clear when we went to Rotorua later).
Tip: get supplies and gas/petrol in Taupo because there is hardly anywhere to stop along the way. We stopped for coffee at a cafeteria in Tarawera – only place to get food and refreshments along the way.
When you get to SH-2, north of Napier, you connect to the Pacific "Coastal" Highway – one would think that you would be able to see the coast from the road, but no, not much anyway. The road winds through hills, sheep country, gorges, rivers, definitely scenic but not “coastal”. Hard to capture on film so didn't even try. Stop at Wairoa – eat our lunch along a walkway by the river, great coffee at the local theater café. Continue along the highway – a few peeks of the ocean but primarily continue to wind through hills, undulating pasture land. See sign "Beware of goats" – later actually do see 4-5 male goats strutting along the railroad tracks! Would have made a great snapshot but we’re focused on getting to our destination. As we get closer to Gisborne, the scenery flattens out – vineyards.
We started out at 10 a.m. and landed in Gisborne at 5 p.m. Excellent time, our friend said!
The following days we get a grand tour of all the sights in and around Gisborne, including a striking statue of Captain Cook, who first landed at Gisborne. However, turns out the statue is an “Italian impostor”. New Zealand whimsy? Great story at any rate.
We visit Wright winery, who produce lovely organic wines. We’re taken to Reir Waterfall - and the Reir mud slide, where you see all sorts of people with surf boards, water mattresses, rafts, trays, and whatever else can protect your bum, plunge down into the pool below. We visited the museum “the best regional museum in New Zealand”. We ate well, imbibed New Zealand wines, and met great people. Perfect stay.
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| “Naked Ladies” (Amaryllis belladonna) a type of wild Amaryllis that we saw many places throughout New Zealand. These are on John and Jean's fantastic grounds. |
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| Gisborne is also home to Murray Ball, creator of Footrot Flats |
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