35 Bay of Plenty Dunes Trail © AA Traveller 2018 JACKSON ROAD Tirohanga 2 End of Dunes Trail OPOTIKI MOTU Trails Waiaua Motu Road ge r Otara River n e a v R i a R r a a m k ku e au o R i a Otara Road W 2 Motu Road Trail

Meremere Hill Takaputahi Road Pakihi Road Pakihi Road end Toatoa Boulders Campsite Papamoa Hill (Toatoa) 2 Te Waiti Road Pakihi Track Pakihi Stream Whitikau

bridge Te Waiti Hut Pakihi Hut PAKIHI TRACK / MOTU ROAD JUNCTION

Motu Road MOTU TRAILS Motu Road © Neil Hutton Onukuroa MOTU TRAILS

TRAIL INFO DUNES TRAIL to LOOP RIDE Motu River MAP LEGEND Motu

1-3 Days open section café/restaurant Motu Falls Bay of Plenty coastline for 10km. Motu Falls 1-3 days 10-91km 10-91km start / finish point toilets It’s ideal for all riders and there’s a Road shop next to the Tirohanga Beach point of interest camping Motor Camp selling ice creams i-SITE Visitor shelter , where and drinks – just the ticket for a Centre Be set free on an Eastland escapade hut Motu Road beautiful summer’s day! hill / mountain trails lead you on journeys from cruisy seaside TRAIL GRADES: The Motu Road Trail runs from accommodation bridge rides to remote wilderness adventures. the end of the Dunes Trail to the DUNES TRAIL state highway town rustic settlement of Matawai, 67km GRADE 2 (EASY) 2 he Motu Trails have it all, and links to the Rere Falls Trail from away. It follows a quiet country road MOTU ROAD TRAIL to Opotiki with three trails to choose Matawai to Gisborne. MATAWAI past scenic farmland and through GRADE 3 (INTERMEDIATE) from (or you can combine Waioeka River Rere Falls Trail T Clinging to the sand dunes forested conservation reserves. PAKIHI TRACK Gisborne them all), you can enjoy a ride no alongside the sparkling Pacific There are plenty of hills that require GRADE 4 (ADVANCED) matter your age, fitness level or Ocean, the Dunes Trail is an easy reasonable fitness, especially riding LOOP RIDE GRADES 2-4 riding ability. Cycle for a few hours, Opotiki Jackson Jackson Road Toatoa Pakihi Track Motu Matawai Motu Road Opotiki gravel path running parallel with the from the coast to Matawai, but the (EASY-ADVANCED) Road Junction or a few days. The Motu Trail also 10km 67km 44km views are incredible and there’s MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: 800m 600m DUNES TRAIL MOTU ROAD TRAIL PAKIHI TRACK lots of freewheeling to get your Mobile phone coverage is 400m 200m Dunes Trail © Jim Robinson heart racing. very poor and will sometimes OPPOSITE: Motu River 0m © Linear Photographs The Pakihi Track is the third disappear. You can get coverage on the Dunes Trail and coming trail in the Motu trilogy and the back into town after the most challenging, set in splendid Pakihi Track. isolation. Although it’s mostly look out for... Meet Motu DRINKING WATER: downhill, it includes Grade 4 Motu Community House is a very It’s recommended that you snorkelling and deep-sea fishing. (Advanced) mountain biking on a Gateway to the popular place to stay, offering carry all your own water. Tank Just 7km out of Opotiki is the affordable accommodation (ideal for narrow trail through remote native Opotiki sits at the confluence of water is available at Motu and Hukutaia Domain, the home of a groups) and plenty of tips on what forest. Take your time and admire two rivers and several long, safe, water can be drawn from the 2000-year-old puriri tree known as to do in the area. A 5km detour from the gorgeous views along the way. sandy beaches are nearby. Steep streams along the route. It Taketakerau. To reach it, there’s Motu takes you to beautiful Motu hills, fast rivers and dramatic is recommended that this is a brilliant short walk in a majestic Falls on the wild Motu River. Cross The 91km Loop Ride offers you coastlines surround the town, ripe boiled (for 3 minutes), filtered or pocket of forest. You can’t ride in the high swing bridge onto a beautiful a taste of all three of the Motu for adventure and exploration. treated before drinking. the domain, but it’s a nice rural forest walking track (no bikes). Trails, starting and ending your Down the coast from the town a on-road ride to get there. ride in Opotiki. collection of bays provide good 46 47 Dunes Trail, Motu Trails Ohope Beach now closed to motor traffic, Burma Rd Almost wherever you go along the © Neil Hutton © Whakatane District Council twists through forest that is home to Whakatane-Opotiki coast, you’ll wild kiwi, robin and other see Whakaari (White Island) riding the trail bird life. and Moutohora (Whale island) South of Whakatane, family-friendly on the horizon. Both islands make for spectacular guided trips, one DUNES TRAIL, 10KM Grade 3 (Intermediate) trail through Onepu Mountain Bike Park is volcanically dramatic, the other a remote bush country wilderness. It can only 20 minutes away, while the epic This beautiful trail starts at the be ridden in either direction, but you’ll adventure of Whirinaki/Moerangi track forested bird-paradise. Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku Bridge get the best views (and more downhill is a very achievable drive. According to tradition, the region (Memorial Park) in Opotiki and riding) starting from Matawai. meanders along a spectacular stretch of Beyond the bike, Nga Tapuwae o was settled over 1000 years ago. coast to Jackson Rd (and the start of the Just beyond the tiny settlement of Motu Toi walking trail is a journey through Te Koputu a te Whanga a Toi, Motu Road Trail). is a steep 3km climb, but the views forest and along sublime beaches, Whakatane’s Exhibition Centre, from the top are worth it! The trail then takes you on a voyage of discovery. Hugging the sand dunes, the trail passing important pa sites. Shorter follows the ridgeline where you’ll enjoy provides excellent unspoilt views of the walks include the climb to Tauwhare Mataatua Wharenui, ‘The house lots of freewheeling. Then it’s mostly Pacific Ocean and rugged hinterland that came home,’ is an incredible downhill en route to the coast, where Along the trail Pa which overlooks Ohiwa Harbour, of the East Cape. This is a Grade 2 encounter, while Native Connectionz the Motu Road Trail connects with the and the flat, Whakatane Gardens. (Easy) trail that caters for all abilities shares stories and tastes of the area. Dunes Trail to take you into Opotiki. and fitness levels. The trail has an easy

gradient that is enjoyed by walkers, Note: this section is on a road, so be Sublime beaches, lush Eastland runners and cyclists. alert for vehicles, although traffic counts wonderful panoramas so stop and Road Trail, which leads to the start of forest and islands on The paved, flat trail stretching 4km are low. Pacific The return journey of 20km can be admire the view. The trail crosses 25 the Pakihi Track back to Opotiki. beside Whakatane’s riverbank is a bridges, including a 35m swing bridge. the horizon... comfortably ridden in two or three Riders who want a more challenging We recommend you take two days to popular out-and-back cycle, walk or Motor Lodge hours from either end with time to stop ride to Opotiki can divert on to the more OPOTIKI • Pakihi Rd marks your return to ride the loop. The Pakihi Track can also run featuring saltmarsh, varied bird WELCOME for a swim and a picnic along the way. advanced Pakihi Track. civilisation with 23km of gravel/sealed be completed via the Otara Stopbank arm and welcoming life, a busy wharf and the spectacular road and river stopbank trail, back to Trail back to Memorial Park in Opotiki. Whakatane is an ideal hub • Large units suitable for meetings or The Dunes Trail also provides a great PAKIHI TRACK, 44KM Whakatane river heads. You’ll also training sessions - up to 14 people Opotiki. This is a Grade 4 (Advanced) Remember that while the Dunes Trail warm-up for those preparing to tackle for discovering the many find excellent, easy on-road cycling • 10 units with spa baths, 4 x 2-brm This track is ONE-WAY from Motu Rd W trail that requires a reasonable level of and Motu Road Trail are graded Easy the more challenging Motu Road Trail. cycling and outdoor experiences in Ohope, with magical views of the units, 6 x 1-brm, 8 studio units towards Opotiki. It is not a trail to ride fitness. The off-road section includes and Intermediate, the Pakihi Track across the eastern Bay of Plenty • Wheelchair access units • Sky TV MOTU TRAILS at high speed. It starts 29km (about Pacific Ocean and Ohiwa Harbour. MOTU TRAILS MOTU ROAD TRAIL, 67KM steep drop-offs so ride with caution. section of this ride is for advanced and Eastland. Perennially sunny, the • Guest laundry halfway) along the Motu Road Trail and riders only. The historic Burma Rd cycle path links • Continental and cooked breakfasts This trail follows the historic coach road RIDE THE LOOP, 91KM township is a short drive from the includes 20km of advanced off-road Ohope with Whakatane and includes • Wireless internet access from Matawai (about 500m above sea RERE FALLS TRAIL freedom of the Motu Trails and has a • Warm welcome & friendly service riding through splendid isolation. You can have a taste of all three of the option of a 10km loop ride. One level, climbing to almost 800m through range of accommodation and dining the Raukumara Ranges) down to the The largely downhill track takes the Motu Trails, starting and ending in From Matawai, you can ride the Rere of the region’s first connections and options, but that’s just the start. Cnr Bridge & St John Sts, Opotiki Ph: 07 315 5524 Fax: 07 315 5504 Eastern Bay of Plenty coast. This is a you through magnificent bush, with Opotiki. Head off on the Dunes Trail, Falls Trail to Gisborne. See page 140 Email: [email protected] www.eastlandpacific.co.nz which links to the bottom of the Motu for details. Opotiki Reservations: 0800 103 003 Resident Hosts: Lyn & Gary Savage 45km E of Whakatane on SH 2

riding the trail Your Eastland adventure starts right here! Ride by the ocean, through historic farmland and deep into the forest. Pause by a century-old railway bridge. Laugh at cheeky North Island Weka, BE SET FREE zipping across the track. Pedal on to Rere Falls and Gisborne, or to Ohiwa Harbour and Whakatane. The Motu Trails Great Ride is the start of your brilliant adventure in the eastern Bay of Plenty and Eastland.

Motu Trails maps, track info, shuttles, cafes, accommodation and services: www.motutrails.co.nz Facebook/Instagram: Motu Trails Cycleway Eastern Bay attractions and info: www.opotikinz.com/visit-opotiki or contact Opotiki i-SITE, 07 315 3031, 70 Bridge St Opotiki

48 49 , Eastland Chardonnay Capital INSET: Vineyard, Waipaoa, Gisborne BOTH © davidwallphoto. com Known as the chardonnay capital of New Zealand, sunny Gisborne is the nation’s third biggest wine region. There are fun, informative tours around the vineyards. If you are visiting in October, don’t miss the annual Food and Wine Festival and the chance to rub shoulders with local foodies and winemakers. Tickets sell out fast so be sure to book in advance.

Eastland: a tranquil paradise his is a real heartland corner Enjoy Eastland’s spectacular and Hackfalls is spectacular of New Zealand, where wild surf beaches. Head to Wainui in autumn when copper Tcommunity ties are strong Beach and The Pipe for top waves. leaves from its vast MOTU TRAILS and visitors are welcome, and a Gisborne is where Captain Cook trees flutter to the forest love of the ocean is shared by all. made his first landfall in 1769. floor. Eastwoodhill, Tractors on the beach, horseback Follow the Gisborne Historical Walk New Zealand’s national riding and fresh kaimoana for to see where he came to shore. , has a massive dinner are the scenes of daily Explore the tranquil walking tracks collection of northern hemisphere life here. through the Hackfalls Arboretum trees over its ambling 131ha. and .

Cnr Bridge & Nelson Sts, Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp Court Motel Opotiki • Ph: +64 7 315 8490 SH 35, Tirohanga Beach, Opotiki Opotiki E: [email protected] Ph/Fax: 07 315 7942 Email: [email protected] www.magnoliacourtmotel.co.nz PERFECT FOR CYCLISTS • 13 spacious ground-floor studios, Tirohanga Beach Motor Camp: the right 1 & 2-brm units with queen-size beds place to start your Motu Trail Adventure. • Continental breakfast We have a variety of accommodation & are situated on the Dune Trail to assist you in • Near shops/restaurants, opposite garden making this ride something to remember. & park • Serviced daily Don’t rush home; • Ample off-street parking for boats, trailers, enjoy our beautiful buses • WiFi access beach & see what • Tariff: $120-$165 (2 persons), extra $20 Opotiki has to offer. • Spacious grounds allows room for cycles One of the trail’s & vehicles OFFICAL PARTNERS. • Garaging for safe cycle storage Give us a call if you need some advice on 07 315 7942 • Separate accommodation blocks or check out our website www.tirohangabeachmotorcamp.co.nz Reservations: 0800 55 62 46 • Caters for privacy and relaxation Gisborne after Colonial Secretary William Gisborne • 215km NE of Napier on SH 2

39 Potts Ave, Opotiki Phone: +64 7 315 6050 Looking for a Opotiki Email: opotiki.holidays @xtra.co.nz Holiday CYCLING ADVENTURE Park on the Motu Trails, Gisborne?

Base your trip from Heritage Collection Portside Hotel, Gisborne. On the water’s edge in the heart of Gisborne, studio Accommodation: Features: & suites accommodation. Relax in a rural setting only 200m walk to Opotiki Communal kitchen, metered showers, laundry, TV town centre. Start of the Motu Trail on our lounge, Freeview TV, Zenbu WiFi, swimming pool, 2 Reads Quay, Gisborne. doorstep, or we can arrange shuttle services. Secure playground and dump station. lock-up for bikes and group rates available. Choice Tariff: of self-contained units, kitchen cabins, tent sites & 2 persons $50-$120/night; sites from $15/person, motel units. seasonal rates may apply. Visa, Mastercard, EFTPOS. Book now: www.heritagehotels.co.nz/NZCycleTrail or 0800 36 88 88 www.opotikiholidaypark.com 50