IDEAL FOR TOUR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 107, 8 January 1940, Page 5

IDEAL FOR TOUR

EAST COAST HIGHWAY

ACCLAIMED BY A.A

Acclaimed as a new route that should meet with, the approval of even the more discerning holiday motorists, the Gisborne-Opotiki scenic highway via Cape Runaway is given pride of place in the official bulletin of the Automobile Association (Auckland). There is no more pleasant spot in New Zealand than Wainui Beach, near Gisborne, in the summer time, states the bulletin- A long stretch of shelving, golden sand whereori the Pacific rollers spend themselves after their long trip from South America. Northward of Wainui stretch the length of Tatapouri and Pouawa beaches. Soft names, these, which by their very sounds- speak of summer sun, blue skies, and waves so tired they just collapse in foamy masses, falling backwards down the sloping sands into the ocean, truly Pacific. Features of Tolaga Bay. The first .settlement of import is Tolaga Bay, approached across a line new concrete bridge. The picturesque Tolaga Inn on the righthand side of the main street attracts attention, as does also the racecourse immediately beyond the township. The Uawa River here flows in a horseshoe bend whose shape and size are just right for the prosecution of New Zealand's "national industry." As might be expected, mutton on the hoof dominates the landscape. Sheep arc everywhere. Shortly the road climbs over Busby's Hall, from the summit of which is a fine panorama of bold headland, blue ocean, and green hills. Dropping down, Tokomaru Bay is passed. It is a straggling settlement, strung out along the shore at the base of the hills. In the middle of the settlement the road turns inland and shortly passes through several concreted fords —little more than splashes and usually dry during the summer months.

"Wild West" Ruatoria. A few miles beyond, the hot springs, hotel and Waiapu Hospital are i>assed at Te Puia. The district was named Waipiro by the Maoris because of the sulphur-tainted hot water which now provides a large swimming bath. A native school bearing the quaintly inappropriate name of Jerusalem pays tribute to the religious devotion of the earlier name-givers. Ruatoria, which lies a mile and a half off the main road, is one of the most picturesque townships in the country. Its atmosphere, redolent of America's "wild west" ,is heightened by the local Maori lads who wear broad-brimmed hats and delight to decorate their horses with much ornamented saddles. Dominating the inland view is the bulk of Mt. Hikurangi (5656 ft). the first part of New Zealand on which the sun shines. Rugged Coastal Scenery. The hill between Te Araroa anil Hicks Bay opens up more rugged coastal scenery before the road runs inland at last, and no more is seen of the sea for a while until after crossing the new Whangaparaoa River bridge, we find ourselves in the Bay of Plenty. From this point right down to Opotilu is such a succession of scenic splendour as is found nowhere else in the country. The whole wide sweep of the bay meets the eye. White Island with its plume of volcanic vapour and, closer inshore, Whale Island, bre'ait the level blue of the sea. The road now skirts the shoreline just behind the beach; rises over some projecting headland and runs inland with a broad clear river on one hand and rich farmlands on the other. Shortly, a fine new bridge across the river and the road returns to the coast. This river was formerly one of the bugbears of the route, and the services of bullock teams were frequently necessary to tow cars through. ■Comfortable accommodation is offering, while, for those who prefer it, camping sites abound in ideal surroundings. For those who elect to stay, all the pleasures of a seaside holiday are there. For those who elect lo pass by this way in thepourse of a tour all the glories of seacoast scenery lie in wait.