Tolaga Bay and hike to Cooks Cove

This excursion will begin with a 1-hour drive north of Tairāwhiti Gisborne to Tolaga Bay, a bay and small town that, at 660m, boasts the longest concrete wharf in the country. Along the bay is a path that leads to Cooks Cove, where Captain James Cook stopped in 1769 as part of his circumnavigation of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Information planels along the walkway tell the story of Cook and his crew's visit to Cooks Cove (Opoutama), the history of local iwi Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, and the excavation of an archeological site at Opoutama, first occupied by Māori. You'll also be able to explore a hole in the wall, called Te Kotere o te Whenua, or, if you fancy a swim, safely take a dip in the cove. 

The pathway is an out-and-back walk that totals 5.8km, and, with stops, takes around 2.5 hours. Although the path is generally rated as easy, there is some hill climbing that requires a moderate level of fitness. Good, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.