The Land of Many Retreats

ou would have thought that since I have experienced all of the Great Walks and Rides for the mobile apps I build, that I would have covered all of our country’s 99 State Highways. Yet, SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne somehow escaped my travels. My journeys have never taken me eastward beyond Motu Trails at the top of the Waioeka Gorge. I like exploring our country and surely there must be something lurking around the winding corners of this highway. I am keen to visit the Haurata High-Country Walks and fill in the void on my mental map. I also like exploring nature. So it brings me great joy when my first discovery after turning inland on SH2 from Gisborne is reaching Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Who knew that our national botanical collection grows right beside this highway on the edge of the East Cape? I didn’t, so I spent a little time among the tree giants