New Zealand State Highway 38

State Highway 38
Route information
Maintained by New Zealand Transport Agency
Length: 120.9 km (75.1 mi)
Major junctions
Northwest end: SH 5 at Waiotapu
Southeast end: SH 2 at Wairoa
Highway system
← SH 37SH 39 →

State Highway 38 (SH 38) is a road on the North Island of New Zealand that starts from SH 5 near Waiotapu, and ends at Wairoa, where it connects to SH 2. It is the shortest connection from the central North Island (Rotorua) to the East Coast (Gisborne), but it is not often used as such. Large parts of the road are narrow and winding, and about 74 kilometres (46 mi) is unsealed. Travel on this highway takes roughly four hours.[1]

Part of this unsealed section (between Te Whaiti and Aniwaniwa) is not designated a state highway and instead holds the names Ruatahuna Road and Waikaremoana Road. The administration of this middle section of highway is split between Whakatane District and Wairoa District Councils.

Route

Starting at the intersection with SH 5, one drives through the Kaingaroa Forest. After 38 km the small town of Murupara is passed. At km 58, at Te Whaiti, a road branches to Minginui, leading into Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park. SH 38 temporarily loses its state highway status. The next 74 km are unsealed[2] and winds and climbs through Te Urewera. Apart from small settlements like Ruatahuna, only forested mountains are passed. Following small streams the road reaches the borders of Lake Waikaremoana. At km 134, at Aniwaniwa, is a visitor centre of Department of Conservation. This is the place where different walks start, including a short stroll to the Aniwaniwa Falls. At the southern end of the lake, at Onepoto, is a motorcamp. Further south, along the Waikaretaheke River, the three powerstations of the Waikaremoana Power Scheme[3] can be seen.

From Aniwaniwa, SH 38 regains its state highway status and bends into the valley of the Waiau River eventually returning to sealed road. At km 185, at the village of Frasertown, where the Waiau River joins the Wairoa River, the Tiniroto Road branches of to Gisborne (another 97 km). At km 195, at Wairoa, the road finally terminates with SH 2 at the intersection of Mahia Avenue and Bridge Street.

See also

References

  1. ↑ State Highway 38 on Google Maps
  2. ↑ The section of the road between Murupara and Te Whaiti is sealed in 2000 / 2001. See Transit Newsletter 19
  3. ↑ Waikaremoana Power Scheme of Genesis Energy
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