Wairoa is on State Highway 2, about 100 kilometres north of Napier and 95 kilometres south of Gisborne. The drive from Napier takes around an hour and a half; from Gisborne, slightly longer. There is no rail or bus service of note — a car is essential for visiting Wairoa and the surrounding area.
The road between Wairoa and Te Urewera (Lake Waikaremoana) is unsealed for most of its length and takes about 90 minutes to drive carefully. Do not attempt it in wet conditions or in a low-clearance vehicle. The same applies to some of the access roads on the Mahia Peninsula.
The nearest airports are Hawke's Bay Airport in Napier (for connections to Auckland and Wellington) and Gisborne Airport to the north.