Gisborne to Wairoa via Tiniroto SH36

Gisborne to Wairoa via Tiniroto Road

Gisborne to Wairoa via Tiniroto [105km] This is an alternative inland route to Wairoa which has several attractions along the way. The route is more isolated than SH2 and follows a sealed, but narrow and winding road through the hill country inland from Gisborne. Follow SH2 6km south from Makaraka to the roundabout at the Waipaoa River bridge and take the middle road with signs indicating “Tiniroto”.

Doneraille Park [Wairoa 52km | Gisborne 53km] After the store at Waerenga-o-kuri and the turn-off to Hangaroa, an area popular for trout fishing, Doneraille Park is a steep drop from the Tiniroto Road to a sheltered river valley where a Gisborne District Council reserve offers “Freedom Camping” beside the Hangaroa River (permits available at Waerenga-o-kuri Store). A nice place to camp overnight, or to enjoy a day picnicking and a swimming in the clear running river in summer.

Tiniroto [Wairoa 61km | Gisborne 44km] A rural settlement where a quaint tavern overlooks a high country valley dotted with several man-made lakes.

Te Reinga Falls [Wairoa 35km | Gisborne 61km] At the junction with the Ruakituri Road turn right, cross the bridge and then pull in to the carpark at Te Reinga Falls. A short track leads to a lookout to view the meeting of the Hangaroa and Ruakituri Rivers as they cascade 35 metres over a dramatic waterfall and then funnel through a chasm to a small lake below. From Te Reinga the sealed road follows the Wairoa River to the village of Marumaru, where there is a tavern, and on to intersect with SH38 at Frasertown, just 7km north of Wairoa.

Te Reinga to Lake Waikaremoana [50km] There is a 1.5 hr driving option for adventurous travellers to take the Ruakituri Road (and then Ohuka Road) the long way through Ruakaturi from Te Reinga to meet SH38 some 20km short of Lake Waikaremoana. This is mostly unsealed and not the fastest route to the lake but an extremely interesting drive.