RoadAtlas
Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand — Cultural
Australia & Pacific

Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand

New Zealand

In short: Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand is a 586 km cultural road trip in New Zealand, typically driven over 4–5 days, best in Nov–Apr. Highlights: Whakatane, Opotiki, East Cape Lighthouse.

Distance
586 km
Duration
4–5 days
Best Season
Nov–Apr
IconicEasyCulturalEV-friendly

New Zealand's Pacific coast from Whakatane to Napier, through Māori culture, East Cape's remote headlands, Gisborne's chardonnay vineyards, Hawke's Bay's Art Deco cities, and the easternmost point of the North Island. Off the beaten track until the final destination: Napier's extraordinary Art Deco streetscape.

~1 refuel
~2 charges
Practical notes
SH35 is sealed but long and slow, with frequent one-lane bridges, narrow shoulders, and occasional slips after heavy rain. Fuel and services thin out quickly east of Opotiki, and the East Cape section can take far longer than the map suggests, especially in wet or windy weather.
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Plan this trip

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Stops along the route

Whakatane — Departure — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Departure
Whakatane
One of New Zealand's sunniest towns and the departure point for Whakaari boat trips to an active sulfurous volcano rising from the Bay of Plenty 48 km offshore.
Hotels
Opotiki — City — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
City
Opotiki
The gateway to East Cape, where SH35 leaves the Bay of Plenty and begins its remote 330 km loop around the easternmost reaches of the North Island.
Hotels
Tikitiki — City — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
City
Tikitiki
Home to St Mary's Church, one of New Zealand's most ornate Maori meeting houses, with intricate carvings and tukutuku panels honouring Ngati Porou WWI soldiers.
Hotels
Gisborne — City — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
City
Gisborne
The first city in the world to see the sun each day, with excellent beaches and underrated chardonnay and gewurztraminer vineyards including Matawhero and Millton.
Hotels
Napier — Arrival — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Arrival
Napier
Rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake, Napier is one of the world's finest intact Art Deco streetscapes, celebrated every February with vintage cars and 1930s fashion.
Hotels

Things to Do

East Cape Lighthouse — Landmark — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Landmark
East Cape Lighthouse
The easternmost lighthouse in New Zealand, reached by a 700-step climb above the Pacific, overlooking the first point on Earth to see each new day's sunrise.
Tolaga Bay Wharf — Landmark — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Landmark
Tolaga Bay Wharf
At 660 metres, the longest wharf in New Zealand stretches into the Pacific from a remote East Cape bay. Built in 1929 and recently restored, it is a striking SH35 landmark.
St. Mary's Church — Historic Site — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Historic Site
St. Mary's Church
A historic church in Tikitiki adorned with intricate Māori carvings and tukutuku panels, commemorating local soldiers.
Te Waha o Rerekohu — Nature — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Nature
Te Waha o Rerekohu
Visit New Zealand's oldest and largest pohutukawa tree in Te Araroa, a natural wonder over 600 years old.
National Aquarium of New Zealand — Museum — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Museum
National Aquarium of New Zealand
Explore marine life exhibits and conservation programs at this renowned aquarium in Napier.
Napier Art Deco Tour — Tour — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Tour
Napier Art Deco Tour
Discover Napier's rich Art Deco heritage through guided walking tours showcasing its unique architecture.

Where to Eat

Muirs Bookshop & Café — Café — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Café
Muirs Bookshop & Café
A charming café offering a selection of local pastries and coffee, nestled within a historic bookshop in Gisborne.
The Works — New Zealand — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
New Zealand
The Works
A riverside restaurant in Gisborne serving contemporary New Zealand cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Ussco Bar & Bistro — Bistro — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Bistro
Ussco Bar & Bistro
A stylish bistro in Gisborne offering a fusion of international flavors and local produce in a historic building.
Pacifica Restaurant — Seafood — Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand — New Zealand
Seafood
Pacifica Restaurant
An award-winning Napier restaurant specializing in innovative seafood dishes inspired by Pacific flavors.

Explore related routes

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand drive?

The Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand covers 586 km from start to finish.

How long does the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand take to drive?

Most travellers spend 4–5 days on the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand?

The recommended season for the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand is Nov–Apr.

Where does the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand start and end?

The Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand runs from Whakatane to Napier.

What are the main stops on the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand?

The Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand passes through Whakatane, Opotiki, East Cape Lighthouse.

Can I drive the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand in a regular car?

Yes — the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

How many fuel stops are needed on the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand?

Plan around 1 refuels (or about 2 EV charges) along the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand, based on its 586 km length.

Is the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand EV friendly?

Yes — the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand safe to drive?

SH35 is sealed but long and slow, with frequent one-lane bridges, narrow shoulders, and occasional slips after heavy rain. Fuel and services thin out quickly east of Opotiki, and the East Cape section can take far longer than the map suggests, especially in wet or windy weather.

What scenic tier is the Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand?

The Pacific Coast Highway, New Zealand is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.