Cook's Cove Walkway and Tolaga Bay Wharf
Eastland
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)
Cook's Cove is the site where Captain Cook halted to repair the Endeavour and take on fresh supplies in 1769. The Cook's Cove Walkway is located at the southern end of Tolaga Bay, north of Gisborne, in the Eastland region of New Zealand.
Walk five kilometres over farmland and through bush to Cook's Cove. The Tolaga Bay Wharf is a popular attraction and ideal for fishing.
Cook's Cove Walkway
To get to Cook's Cove, take State Highway 35 and turn off at Wharf Road. Cook's Cove Walkway begins about two kilometres south of Tolaga Bay township.
Cook's Cove Walkway commences by crossing a small, open paddock before climbing through light bush and open grassland. The track then mainly keeps to a farm track just below the cliff tops.
A 20-minute walk brings you to a viewing platform, some 120 metres above seal level. The platform offers first views of Cook's Cove. The track then winds down through regenerating bush to the cove.
Explore the Hole-in-the-Wall (Te Kotere o te Whenua) and inspect the New Zealand Historic Places Trust 1966 memorial, commemorating Cook's visit.
Allow at least two and a half hours to make the return trip. The walk is closed for the lambing season, 1st August to 30th September.
Cook's Cove Walkway Conservation
The Cook's Cove Walkway is managed by the Department of Conservation. Some things to remember include:
- Do not take dogs or other animals into the reserve
- Do not light fires
- Take your rubbish away with you
- Do not remove or disturb any artifacts or other historic remains
- Do not camp on the reserve
- The walkway crosses private farmland, leave gates as you find them
- Mountain biking is prohibited on this track
Tolaga Bay Wharf
At 660 metres in length, the Tolaga Bay Wharf is the longest pier in New Zealand. It takes approximately half an hour to walk the length of the pier.
The wharf was built between 1926 and 1929 to enable ships to unload in all tides.
The wharf no longer operates as a port, but remains a great place to take a stroll or drop a fishing line. The wharf stretches out in a beautiful setting, surrounded by sharp craggy cliffs and a large sandy bay.
