Opotiki Getting there & around

Getting there & away

Travelling east from Opotiki there are two routes: SH2, crossing the spectacular Waioeka Gorge, or the SH35 around East Cape. The SH2 route offers some scenic day walks in the Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve, with the gorge getting steeper and narrower as you travel inland, before the route crosses typically green, rolling hills, dotted with sheep, on the descent to Gisborne.

Buses pick up/drop off at the Hot Bread Shop on the corner of Bridge and St John Streets, though tickets and bookings are throughthe Travel Shop (07-315 8881; 104 Church St; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri).

InterCity (07-308 6058; www.intercitycoach.co.nz) has daily buses connecting Opotiki with Whakatane ($20, 40 minutes), Rotorua ($31, two hours) and Auckland ($64, 6¾ hours). Heading south, the buses connect Opotiki with Gisborne ($31, two hours) by a daily service.

Naked Bus (www.nakedbus.com) runs daily services to Tauranga ($19, three hours), Gisborne ($29, two hours), Auckland ($49, 6½ hours), Waitomo ($59, six hours) and Wellington ($49, 11 hours). Substantial fare savings can be made by booking in advance.

The local Bay Hopper (0800 422 928; www.baybus.co.nz) runs to Whakatane (Mon & Wed, $7.50).