Tolaga Bay is one of the most popular coastal destinations on State Highway 35, the East Cape coastal road. It is a 45-minute drive from Gisborne and features a 600-metre wharf, as well as a lovely beach. It takes about 30 minutes to walk to the end of the wharf and back.
The wharf dates back to 1929 and allowed coastal trading ships to load and offload goods. Such wharves were major access points to the outside world from the East Cape until the road was completed. You will see a similar but smaller example further north at Tokomaru Bay. The Tolaga Bay Wharf has been extensively restored and is now a leading tourist attraction on the Cape and a top fishing spot.
The arrival of Captain James Cook and the friendly reception he received from local Māori is also part of the area’s history. A walkway that starts southeast of the wharf and runs along the cliffs to Cooks Cove goes to where the Endeavour moored while supplies were replenished. The European visitors and local Māori were left with a positive experience of this first contact.
There is camping by the beach, a couple of shops and a cafe.
