Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Cape Reinga
Standing at windswept
Cape Reinga Lighthouse
(a rolling 1km walk from the car park) and
looking out over the ocean engenders a real end-of-the-world feeling. This is where the
waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, breaking together into waves up to
10m high in stormy weather. Little tufts of cloud often cling to the ridges, giving sudden
spooky chills even on hot days.
Visible on a promontory slightly to the east is a spiritually significant 800-year-old po-
hutukawa tree; souls are believed to slide down its roots. Out of respect to the most sacred
site in Maoridom, don't go near the tree and refrain from eating or drinking anywhere in
the area.
LANDMARK
Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway
Contrary to expectation, Cape Reinga isn't actually the northernmost point of the country;
that honour belongs to
Surville Cliffs
further to the east. A walk along
Te Werahi Beach
to
Cape
Maria van Diemen
(a five-hour loop) takes you to the westernmost point of the north island.
This is one of many sections of the three- to four-day, 53km Cape Reinga Coastal Walk-
way (from Kapowairua to Te Paki Stream) that can be tackled individually. Beautiful
Ta-
potupotu Bay
is a two-hour walk east of Cape Reinga, via
Sandy Bay
and the cliffs. From Ta-
potupotu Bay it's an eight-hour walk to
Spirits Bay
, one of NZ's most beautiful beaches.
Both bays are also accessible by road.
TRAMPING
Te Paki Recreation Reserve
A large chunk of the land around Cape Reinga is part of the Te Paki Recreation Reserve
managed by DOC. It's public land with free access; leave the gates as you found them and
don't disturb the animals. There are 7 sq km of giant sand dunes on either side of the
mouth of Te Paki Stream. Clamber up to take flying leaps off the dunes or to toboggan
down them. During summer, Ahikaa Adventures (
Click here
) are on hand to rent sand-
boards ($15).
NATURE RESERVE
Great Exhibition Bay
On the east coast, Great Exhibition Bay has dazzling snow-white silica dunes. There's no
public road access, but some tours pay a
koha
(donation) to cross Maori farmland or ap-
proach the sand by kayak from Parengarenga Harbour.
BEACH
