Sandy bays, shaped like new moons, are slung between rocky promontories, expanding estuaries face up to the ocean, and man’s encroachment seems temporary and inconsequential. The settlements and towns – now often only remnants of their former selves – are reminders of the day when they supported the profitable transportation by sea of meat and wool from the region.
Today, the drive around the cape is a favourite for those travellers who yearn for places far from the madding crowd. Here they find a region laced with waterfall lakes and legends. It is steeped in Maori lore and the little villages, churches, carved marae, and lonely graveyards attest to its early history.
In Eastland the local council actively encourages visitors to freedom camp. From Waipiro in the north, to Turihaua beach near Gisborne, freedom camping is allowed through summer between the introduction of daylight saving and the Easter holidays of the next year.
All you need is a permit, rubbish bags, a supply of water, and a chemical toilet. The other beaches that belong to the scheme are Turihaua Beach, Pouawa Beach, Loisels Beach, Waihau Bay, Tolaga Beach, Kaiaua Beach, Tokomaru Bay, and Waipiro Bay.
The best mountain walks in Rotorua and Taupō
Nestled in the heart of Aotearoa NZ’s North Island, the Rotorua and Taupō regions are a haven for avid walkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike