Waioeka Gorge SH2 — Opotiki toGisborne.
Distance
145 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
Waioeka Gorge SH2 — Opotiki to Gisborne.
State Highway 2 links the eastern Bay of Plenty to Gisborne by threading the deep, native-forest Waioeka Gorge along its river. Over 100km with no towns — tight curves, one-lane bridges, dense bush, and the climb over the Raukumara Range at Matawai before the drop to the sunrise city. One of the North Island's finest and least-crowded motorcycling roads.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance145 km
Days1
Total climb900 m
DifficultyModerate
Loading map...
The route.
OpotikiStart · Start in Opotiki, the eastern Bay of Plenty gateway. Fuel up — the gorge has no services for over 100km.
Waioeka Gorge Scenic ReserveScenic Point · SH2 threads a deep native-forest gorge along the Waioeka River — sweeping curves, one-lane bridges and dense bush. The heart of the ride.
MatawaiScenic Point · A tiny highland settlement on the Motu River headwaters in the Raukumara Range. The climb out of the gorge crests here before the descent toward Gisborne.
GisborneEnd · End in Gisborne, among the first cities in the world to see the sun. Chardonnay country, surf beaches, and Captain Cook's first New Zealand landing site.
More routes in New Zealand
Desert Road SH1 — Waiouru to TurangiNZ MWT · 65 kmHaast to Jackson Bay — End of the West Coast RoadNZ WTC · 110 kmWhanganui River Road — Whanganui to PipirikiNZ MWT · 80 kmMolesworth Acheron Road — Hanmer Springs to BlenheimNZ MBH · 207 kmAkatarawa Road — Upper Hutt to Waikanae Tararua TwistiesNZ WGN · 40 kmDanseys Pass — Duntroon to Naseby Gold TrailNZ OTA · 60 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS