The track closes for lambing season from 1 August until Labour Weekend (late October).
Picnic in Cooks Cove and try to imagine the HMS Endeavour at anchor. This is where Captain Cook restocked and repaired his ship.
From the Tolaga Bay Wharf you can hike across farmland and through regenerating forest to Cooks Cove where, in 1769, Captain Cook halted to repair his ship, the Endeavour, and take on fresh supplies.
After about 20 minutes of walking you'll come to a lookout point with excellent views of Cooks Cove. The cove is sheltered by the weather-beaten Mitre Rocks and Pourewa Island.
The track continues down to the cove, where you can explore the hole-in-the-wall (Te Kotere o te Whenua) and inspect the New Zealand Historic Places Trust memorial, which commemorates Cook's visit. This is a good place for a picnic lunch.
Track conditions often change. Be prepared by checking with the Department of Conservation before you go.
Getting there
Cooks Cove Walkway is situated at the southern end of Tolaga Bay, 52 km north of Gisborne. On SH35 take the Wharf Road turnoff, 2 km south of Tolaga Bay township.
Need to know
