I absolutely loved this hike, and honestly, if you're even a little undecided about making the trip to the East Coast of the North Island, I’d highly recommend at least coming out here for the Cook's Cove Walkway. It’s a short and sweet 5-kilometer return walk, but trust me, the coastal views will make you smile the whole time, seriously, it had me grinning all day ahah.

The track starts with a bit of an uphill climb, then takes you through farmland where you’ll probably get to say hi to some cute sheep. Just 1.2 kilometers in, you’ll reach the lookout with spectacular views, and from there, it's downhill to sea level where you can check out the Hole in the Wall and Cook's Cove Beach. The walkway is really well-maintained and easy to follow, with benches along the way for you to stop, sit, and enjoy the scenery. I think this trail encapsulates the quintessential feeling and vibe of the North Island and highly recommend it!