Paihia to Cape Reinga: What to do in the Far North
Cape Reinga, the north westernmost point of New Zealand, is a must visit when exploring the Northland Region.
I based myself in Paihia for a week of Bay of Islands/Northland exploring, and chose to do a day tour from Paihia to Cape Reinga. The bus left Paihia around 7:15am and returned around 6pm. I stayed in YHA Paihia Bay of Islands Lodge, which was essentially in the ‘backpackers’ hub and allowed easy access to the bus pick up point.
Why do a tour?
The main reason I did a tour was simply because it was the easiest (perhaps only) way for me to experience this area without access to a car.
Although the trip is expensive for a day trip, it is the best way to have a hassle free day, no need to worry about driving for hours. Furthermore, since Cape Reinga is a 3 hour drive from Paihia, 6 hours round-trip, it can rank up a chunk of money for the expensive NZ fuel, making the tour price seem more reasonable if looked at in this regard. I mean, I guess it depends if you’re driving solo or got a full car of people to split the prices though! Road-tripping yourself would provide more freedom but of course the tour bus means everything is arranged for you. Sit back, relax, be provided with necessary commentary en route to get an insight into the area, and stop off at the major points for a short explore.
The tour company is GreatSights, a very reputable one in New Zealand.
What to see and do in the Far North?
Puketi Kauri Forest
First stop was at the Puketi Kauri Forest, around 40 minutes from Paihia. An easy walk along an elevated board-walk, a canopy of giant, towering trees enclosing you in the beautiful native nature. Well worth the stop!
Taipa
The morning coffee stop (snacks not included in the tour) was at Taipa. It is a lovely scenic spot where you can enjoy a stroll on the beach.
90 Mile Beach
90 Mile Beach, a spectacular stretch of coastline which is actually a State Highway.
The name does not accurately reflect the length of the beach, being in fact (only) 55 miles long. The beach gained its name because it was known that horses could walk around 30 miles a day, taking three days for them to get from one end to the other, making a logical length guess of 90 miles. However, what wasn’t taken into consideration was that horses move slower on sand!
The tour bus took us for a ride on the sand, stopping along the way to descend from the bus. There was time to admire the beach, take in the seemingly never-ending stretch of sand, snap some photos, dip your feet in the ocean before back to driving along it again.
A positive of being on a tour was getting to experience a drive on the beach. Although considered a State Highway (at low tide), it is only suitable to 4 wheel drive vehicles. Then there is the fact of arriving in the right time frame for the tide level, knowing not to drive on it in wet weather, etc., or you may end up stuck. Moreover, most rental car companies’ insurance policy is rendered useless if you take the car on the beach, in other words don’t do it! The tours know what they are doing and provide an enjoyable worry free drive along 90 Mile Beach.
Houhora
A lunch stop at Houhora – fish and chips lunch was included in the tour, was the next port of call. This is a lovely little tranquil spot!
Te Paki Stream and Sand Dunes
Just inland from the northern point of Ninety Mile Beach is Te Paki Stream and Sand Dunes. The sand dunes are really spectacular. It is almost as if you have been transported from New Zealand to the African desert. You just don’t expect them to be there, and in such grand beauty.
This was an activity stop, and a fun one at that! Time to sand board! This is included in the ticket price so I mean, you have to! It’s a great way to liven up after lunch and a fair amount of sitting on the bus.
So, sand boards are handed out to all who are up for it, and then one must climb up the giant mound of sand. It was at this point it really became evident this wasn’t really a ‘backpackers’ tour (on this occasion anyway), when I seemed to be one of the youngest, keen to have fun (alone), at the sand dunes. Most gave up after one or two tries (having to climb the hill again each time), but I was having so much fun! It was great, the bus driver loved how keen I was, offering to hold my stuff and telling me to run back up for another go. You need to run back up as fast as you can (a struggle in the sand!) to get the most out of the time. It is a great addition to the tour.
Cape Reinga
The final stop was the most anticipated – the top of New Zealand: Cape Reinga.
A highly significant spiritual Māori site, in fact the most so in New Zealand – it is said that this is the site of departure for the Māori spirits after death.
A short walk from the car park takes you to the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse. Free time given allowing you to do the walk, take some photos and appreciate the stunning views.
Heading to the lighthouse you see Te Werahi Beach, Cape Maria Van Diemen and Motuopao Island off to the west. Looking to the east is Spirits Bay and Hikura de Surville Cliffs, the northernmost point of mainland New Zealand. An additional striking feature of Cape Reinga is the Tasman Sea meeting the Pacific Ocean. It is visible to the eye where they do so, the differing shades of the mighty blue waters colliding.
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A great day trip overall. As is the nature with tours, sometimes it would be nice to have a little more time at certain stops. I would have loved to have had even more time to take in beautiful Cape Reinga itself. Tours mean limited time to make it back to the bus in time! However I ended this trip feeing highly satisfied. The main sights of the Far North were included, with some fun along the way. I would recommend a tour to experience this area particularly if travelling solo or simply without access to a car. It really is a beautiful area worth devoting some time to.
Check out my post here for more ideas of what to do in and around the Bay of Islands area.
