Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach: Full-Day Tour from Paihia to the Top of New Zealand
Difficulty
easy
Duration
11 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; expect several short walks on uneven sand and a moderate dune climb.
Overview
An 11-hour round-trip from Paihia takes you to Cape Reinga’s wind-swept lighthouse, the vast 90 Mile Beach, and the towering Te Paki dunes. Expect long drives, short walks, Māori history, and dramatic coastal scenery.
Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach: Full-Day Tour from Paihia to the Top of New Zealand
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The bus hums north as the coastline peels away and the landscape opens into a wind-bent world: scrubby manuka, bright pohutukawa blooms, and an ocean that seems to argue with itself. By mid-morning you're standing where two great bodies of water meet — the Tasman Sea pushing from the west, the Pacific pressing from the east — and the surf does not whisper; it argues in white foam around the headland. The path to the lighthouse slopes to a bluff where the wind has a voice and the horizon feels like an unfinished sentence.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Watch the tides and waves
90 Mile Beach may look inviting, but strong rips and currents make swimming unsafe; stick to supervised or sheltered spots and don’t underestimate the surf.
Protect against the sun and wind
Bring a broad-brim hat, sunscreen, and windproof layers—UV and wind exposure are intense on open beaches and headlands.
Footwear for sand and boardwalks
Wear sturdy sandals or trail shoes for dune climbs and compacted beach driving; loose sand can be deceptively tiring on bare feet.
Respect cultural sites
Follow signage around sacred Māori sites at the cape and keep a respectful distance from carved markers and wahi tapu areas.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Dolphins
- Seabirds (gannets, shearwaters)
History
Te Rerenga Wairua is a site of deep Māori significance; local iwi regard the cape as the place where spirits depart for Hawaiki.
Conservation
Dune systems are fragile—stay on marked tracks, avoid trampling vegetation, and dispose of waste; local groups work to control invasive plants and protect nesting birds.
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Adventure Hotspots in Paihia
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is essential on long, exposed sections of beach and during dune climbs.
Windproof shell or jacket
A lightweight wind layer blocks the persistent northern winds at the cape and on the dunes.
spring specific
Sun protection (hat + sunscreen)
Open coastline increases UV exposure—protect skin and eyes for the full-day tour.
summer specific
Sturdy sandals or trail shoes
Provides traction on compact sand, boardwalks, and the shifting Te Paki dunes.