1 / 3Tolaga Bay Wharf
📍 Tolaga Bay, Gisborne
Best for a stop on the coast road north. Tolaga Bay's 1929 concrete wharf reaches 660 metres out to sea, and the restored first half is open for a flat, easy walk with big views. Free, with parking and toilets, and the Cooks Cove walkway nearby.
Lovely to walk across the famous wharf and admire the picturesque views. Part of it is currently under construction, however it’s still lovely to walk across. Parking and bathroom available and nearby.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
A short, memorable stop rather than a day out: walk out to the halfway barrier, watch the fishermen and the swell under the deck, then turn back. It is free and flat enough for a pram, but the edges are open and the surface slick after rain, so hold small hands. Pair it with the Cooks Cove walkway or the beach if you have the afternoon.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →888 Google reviews
Moana Rule
“Lovely to walk across the famous wharf and admire the picturesque views. Part of it is currently under construction, however it’s still lovely to walk across. Parking and bathroom available and nearby.”
Arnaud Müller
“Very nice and interesting historic site. Peaceful walk the long of the wharf. Take care, no buoy and can be slippery when wet”
David Vincent
“It was great to experience the longest wharf in the southern hemisphere first-hand. It's disappointing that the wharf is deteriorating to the point that it's unsafe past the halfway point. It was also sad to learn this wharf was officially opened in June 2012. Hard to believe its present condition given such a short period of time since opening. All said, it is a beautiful place to visit.”
Frances OBrien
“Lovely staff they certainly turned the weather on for us. Powered campsite was a good size as we have a big 5th wheeler”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Tolaga Bay Wharf, 55 kilometres north of Gisborne, is the longest wharf in the Southern Hemisphere at 660 metres, built in 1929 for coastal shipping and now a Category 1 historic place. Cyclone damage in 2023 closed it; after a community-led restoration the first half reopened in 2024, and the far half stays closed until repairs are funded. What is open is a flat, wide concrete walkway over the water, fine for prams, with fishermen along the rails. Parking and toilets are at the base.
