IDEAL FOR TOUR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20118, 12 December 1939, Page 10

IDEAL FOR TOUR

EAST COAST HIGHWAY ACCLAIMED BY A.A. CHRISTMAS SUGGESTION Acclaimed as a new route that should meet with the approval of even the more discerning holiday motorists, the Gisbome-Opotiki scenic highway via Cape Runaway is given pride of place in the official bulletin of Ihe Automobile Association (Auckland). There is no more pleasant spot in New Zealand than Wainui Beach, near Gisborne, in the summer time, states the bulletin. A long stretch of shelving, golden sand whereon the Pacific rollers spend themselves after their long trip from South America. Northward of Wainui stretch the lengths of Tstapouri and Pouawa beaches. Soft names, these, which by their very sounds speak of summer sun, blue skies, and waves so tired they just collapse in foamy masses, falling backwards down the sloping sands into the ocean, truly Pacific.

Features of Tolaga Bay

The first settlement of import is Tolaga Bay, approached across a fine new concrete bridge. The picturesque Tolaga Inn on the right-hand side of the main street attracts attention, as does also the racecourse immediately beyond the township. The Uawa River here flows in a horseshoe bend whose shape and size are just right for the prosecution of New Zealand’s “national industry.”

As might be expected, mutton on the hoof dominates the landscape. Sheep are everywhere. Shortly the road climbs over Busby's Hill, from the summit of which is a fine panorama of bold headland, blue ocean, and green hills. Dropping down, Tokomaru Bay is passed. It is a straggling settlement, strung out along the shore at the base of the hills. In the middle of the settlement the road turns inland and shortly, passes through several concreted fords —little more than splashes and usually dry during the summer months.

“Wild West” Ruatoria.

A few miles beyond, the hot springs, hotel and Waiapu Hospital are passed at Te Puia. The district was named Waipiro by the Maoris because of the sulphur-tainted hot water which now provides a large swimming bath. A native school bearing the quaintly inappropriate name of Jerusalem pays tribute to the religious devotion of the earlier name-givers.

Ruatoria, which lies a mile and ahalf off the main road, is one of the most picturesque townships in the country. Its atmosphere, redolent of America’s “wild west,” is heightened by the local Maori lads who wear broad-brimmed hats and delight to decorate their horses with much ornamented saddles. Dominating the inland view is the ibulk of Mt. Hikurangi (5656 ft.), the first part of New Zealand on which the sun shines. Rugged Coastal Scenery The hill between Te Araroa and Hicks Bay opens up more rugged coastal scenery before the road runs inland at last, and no more is seen of the sea for a while until after crossing the new Whangaparaoa River bridge, we find ourselves in the Bay of Plenty. From this point right down to Opotiki is such a succession of scenic splendour as is found nowhere else in the country. The whole wide sweep of the bay meets the eye. White Island with its plume of volcanic vapour and, closer inshore, Whale Island, break the level blue of the sea.

The road now skirts the shoreline just behind the beach; rises over some projecting headland and runs inland with a broad clear river on one hand and rich farmlands on the other. Shortly, a fine new bridge crosses the river and the road returns to the coast. This river was formerly one of the bugbears of the route, and the services of bullock teams were frequently necessary to tow cars through.

Comfortable accommodation is offering, while, for those who prefer it, camping sites abound in ideal surroundings. For those who elect to stay, all the pleasures of a seaside holiday are there. For those who elect to pass by this way in the course of a tour all the glories of seacoast scenery lie in wait.