Page 59 - 2020-ETEC-eBook

KILOMETRES FROM ŌPŌTIKI KILOMETRES FROM GISBORNE
43km Wairata 101km
The Waioeka River turns south at Wairata and the main road follows the Opato Stream.

Living Water Bush Cafe: Enjoy organic
coffee & home baking on the banks of the
Opato Stream. Local produce – nuts &
honey available. Look for the flags.
Ph 07 315 7422
47km Manganuku Bridge 97km
Another area well worth the stop for a picnic or
overnight stay is Manganuku Bridge. Here you
will find toilets and large flat grass areas next to
the river for overnight camping. Fees are just $7 OPOTIKI TO GISBORNE VIA WAIOEKA GORGE
per night, per campsite. At the eastern end of the
camp is the old main highway bridge (see photo
page 59) which was which was replaced when
the highway was realigned many years ago. The Department of Conservation maintains the
Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve and wishes you a safe journey and that you will stop, respect
and enjoy this amazing environment.
WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED The WAIOEKA Journey

Soon after the road starts to climb out of the gorge and wind its way up over Traffords Hill,
at 725 metres the high point in the trip.Just after you cross the bridge and the head waters of
the Motu River, a right turn on Te Wera Road would take you through even more scenic back
country roads and on to Wharekopae, Rere Falls & Eastwoodhill Arboretum (see page
102) joining SH2 again south of Gisborne. One and a half kms from the SH2/Te Wera Road
intersection is the Moanui Road turn off to Moanui - Koranga - Tawa Loop Track (see
WALKS pg 16) or continue on the main road to Matawai.
72km Matawai 72km
Matawai is a small rural settlement with
a Cafe & Camp at Matawai Camp - see
ad below, store, art gallery and service
station. Matawai is also the junction of
two great cycle trails...the MOTU TRAILS
CYCLEWAY heads to Ōpōtiki from
here or RERE FALLS TRAIL heads
to Gisborne, or combine both “Coast to
Coast” (See pages 5 to 7).
Before you leave the area turn left in
the village and visit Motu (14kms from
Matawai) where you will find Motu-Vation
Cafe and Motu Community House and
a bit further on the Motu Falls (See SIDE
TRIP page 58). Waterfall near Moanui Swingbridge

Matawai Camp: Barista Coffee, Gift shop, Free Wifi, Powered & unpowered Sites,
Cabins & Bunkrooms. 6522 & 6530 Matawai Rd Ph: 06 862 4830.
www.matawaicamp.co.nz www.facebook.com/matawaicamp

Stop & get out in the wild today!

Nothing beats a breath of country air 59