Wairoa

The town lies on both sides of the big Wairoa River, with the main part on the south bank. The bridge crossing the river is the third to be here – the last one was swept away by Cyclone Bola in 1988.

• Wairoa i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

  address: cnr SH2 & Queen St

By car

From Napier, follow State Highway 2 north for two hours.

• Old Portland Island Lighthouse

  address: Marine Parade
  The lighthouse was shifted to Wairoa from Portland Island at the tip of Mahia Peninsula.

• Wairoa Museum

  address: 142 Marine Parade
  Well presented museum of local history, from early European–Maori contact to recent times.

• Gaiety Theatre

  address: 252 Marine Parade
  Go to the fantastic restored theatre and watch a movie with one of the best sound systems in New Zealand.
• Chase the wild birds on the Marine Parade. The marine parade isn't actually beside the sea, but it is where the river widens before forming a lagoon. All sorts of interesting stuff (100-year-old trees and the like) are washed down the river.

• Riverside walkway and cyclewayRuns 7.7 km from the lighthouse in the CBD along the south bank of the river to Whakamahia beach. The full walk takes an hour and a half, and biking takes 30 min.

• Sir James Carroll walkwayA 30-min walk along the north bank of the river opposite the CBD, starting from the bridge.

• Tramp WaikaremoanaInland from Wairoa is Te Urewera (formerly a national park) and Lake Waikaremoana. If you like hiking/tramping this is a stunning walk that can be done in three to four days (or one if you run the whole way). Take all your supplies for the three or four days, including food, fuel, medical kits and toilet paper.

The town has four ATM machines but it's probably not a good idea to carry too much cash with you. Many merchants in the surrounding region do not have EFTPOS meaning you need to pay in cash. The town has a few boutique shops that are owner-operated and the town is virtually untouched by large chain stores.

Food in Wairoa is mostly good, as it reaps the quality benefits of being near the East Cape.

• Cafe 287

  address: 287 State Highway 2
  Indoor and outdoor seating. Looks across the highway to the Wairoa River.

• EastEnd Cafe and Bar

  address: 250 Marine Parade

• Osler's Bakery and Cafe

  address: 116 Marine Parade
  Consistently exceptional. On average it has the best pies (a meat filling packed inside pastry) available anywhere in New Zealand. A must stop. Last count they had about 56 pie awards. Many diverse flavours such as 'Boil up' (reflecting the local culture), 'Ostrich' and 'Cock' (trust them, they are the experts).

• Riverside Motor Camp

  address: 19 Marine Parade

• Three Oaks Motel

  phone: +64 6 838 8204
  address: cnr Campbell St & Clyde Rd
  As you enter Wairoa there is a sign for it. Bookings generally not necessary.

• Vista Motor Lodge

  address: 2 Bridge St
  Has on-site licensed restaurant.

• The River Houses

  address: 150 Marine Parade
  Locally owned and run accommodation provider with holiday homes of varying sizes available for short term rent, in the town centre and along the river. Bookings can be made via their website or on airbnb.

• Morere – hot pools and bush walks on the way to Gisborne
• The beaches of the Mahia area
• Napier