The route begins at in
Ōpōtiki in the Eastern
Bay of Plenty and travels initially north along St John Street before turning sharp east. The road then begins its long route around the coast. After 157 km and at
Te Araroa near Hicks Bay the road turns sharply right, although straight traffic may continue on to reach the
East Cape. SH 35 continues on, past Ruatoria and then Tolaga Bay, home to New Zealand's longest wharf. 8 km near the end of its route, SH 35 crosses the
Tūranganui River bridge and reaches
Gisborne. SH 35 turns left onto Customhouse Street and then right onto Awapuni Road, the last stretch of road, before meeting back at SH 2 where it terminates. ==History==