All that way for nothing!

 19th November

One of the main reasons to travel along the East SH35 was to reach the East Coast Lighthouse. It's the most Easterly in New Zealand and for us a must-do excursion. We thought the extra 340 km would be worth it. The short route on leaving Gisborne across country to Opotiki would have been about 140 km. 

So on leaving this site the 20 km road was part tarmac but mostly gravel and from our overnight camp at Te Araroa, a couple of km took us right to it.

Te Araroa NZMCA campsite

The scenery along the coast was stunning, tide was out showing some very dramatic rock formations. The road on the other hand was another challenge. One had to have their wits about them to drive along it, especially as some places only had room for one vehicle. Meet another car on one of the bends and someone would have to be brave enough to reverse back! 

Like a pimple sat the lighthouse, on top of Otiki Hill

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In the distance we spied this, an escapee horse! It was right by the car park too.

The car park had toilets, not badly maintained either, for such an out-of-the-way place. On went the walking shoes, rucksack filled with snacks and water and yes I remember my walking poles. To reach the top roughly 700 steps had to be climbed, quite a challenge for me, I thought, but take it nice and steady, and I fully expected to make it up.  So we set off toward the track which was a little way back along the road. Then we saw this!

 

All that way and we couldn't get anywhere near. This is the closest we got.

To say we were miffed was an understatement. Whilst we were there 2 lads arrived also expecting the climb. They, too, were disappointed. Why wasn't there any reason posted on the board? 

Anyway we returned to the Toy resigned that this was one lighthouse we wouldn't be visiting.

(As soon as I managed to get Wi-Fi I looked up the reason why. This is what it said)

UPDATE 29 November 2021: Due to the safety of mana whenua and the wider community of Te Araroa who are in an at-risk area, access to the East Cape Lighthouse will be closed this summer until further notice. This allows the community time to continue in their efforts to vaccinate and protect themselves against COVID-19. Please respect this decision by the landowners, the Kohere whānau. Access will be re-opened to manuhiri (visitors) once it is safe to do so.

And so it remains closed for the foreseeable future. In fact there is no news if it will ever be opened again!

 Back along the dirt track there were plenty of wandering sheep. Most were contained behind fences but what is said about grass being greener...? This one showed how to escape the field.

 

And not just sheep

We discussed what to do now, both felt cheated in some way, and I was all for parking up and walking along the shore looking for rock pools. Ian made a brew I strolled along the rocks and found this lovely shell. 

 

Rock pools a plenty which had two strange creatures in one. Looked like something from the pre- historic era

My sense of humour returned, how could it not in this wonderful country. Back on route I was amazes to see how high up these shells were in the rocky sandstone.

And having nearly missed it we found the oldest living the pohutukawa tree. It's called the Christmas tree because of its bright crimson flowers which bloom in December. Over 600 years old it stands 21.2metres tall and measures 40 meters at its widest point. It's also reputed to be the largest of its species in the World.

 

I suppose all was not lost in driving along this coast road. The longest pier, and oldest tree, this would have been missed if we hadn't travelled the SH35.

A long drive ahead for Ian as we made for Omoio Reserve. Here we stopped for the night in a huge grassy area with horses as our companions.

And seen on route, this waterfall. No way of getting anywhere near, all private land. 

Waihirere Falls

 And seen in the rock pools