While there are endless adventures to have in New Zealand, some of the top activities are, well, at the top. Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua is at the very tip-top of the North Island, and as the closest point on the mainland to the equator, offers endless outdoor fun year round. There are many enjoyable things to do in Cape Reinga, ranging from scenic to adrenaline-pumping. Check out this list of six unique activities Cape Reinga has to offer.
1. Check Out 90 Mile Beach
A hotspot for those traveling from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach is a popular stop off. 90 Mile Beach is officially a designated highway, but is only really suitable for 4WD cars. Driving here is subject to tides, because it is at the end of the day, a beach! One of the best Cape Reinga facts is that 90 Mile Beach is in reality not 90 miles long, but rather 88 kms, or 55 miles. Without a doubt, one of the best ways to experience this amazing stretch of sand is through a full-day tour with Harrison’s Cape Runner tours, which ticks off many other local sights along the way.
2. Visit the Lighthouse
The icon of the cape is the Cape Reinga lighthouse. Of the things to do in Cape Reinga, the walk down to the lighthouse, is probably the most well-known. The ten minute walk takes visitors along a well-maintained track past sweeping coastal scenery of rocks, crashing waves, and native seaside flora. From the lighthouse, you can see the merging of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and to the east, New Zealand’s northernmost point, the Hikurua /de Serville Cliffs and Spirits Bay / Piwhane.
3. Sandboard on the Te Paki Sand Dunes
Of the things to do in Cape Reinga, one of the most appealing to adventurers is to go sandboarding down the mighty sand dunes of the Te Paki Recreation Reserve. You can rent boards on site, and head up at your own leisure to find a spot to glide down at high speed. This is not for the faint of heart, so take care where needed. That said, this is one of the most fun activities the far-north has to offer.
4. Camp at Tapotupotu Beach
A short ten-minute drive from the lighthouse is beautiful Tapotupotu Beach, complete with a beachside campsite. It makes for a great spot to crash after a long day of sightseeing. Or stay for a while and set up a basecamp here for a weekend of fun. The beach’s lagoon is perfect for swimming and kayaking. Plus you can enjoy bragging rights for having stayed in the northernmost campsite in the country! There’s no better way to camp in New Zealand than on its beautiful coast with the beach just outside your tent.
Craving even more beautiful spots to pitch your tent? Check out our Most Scenic Campsites in New Zealand!
5. Te Paki Coastal Track
If multi-day treks are your speed, you can spend three to four days hiking the Te Paki Coastal Track. The track is 48 kms long, and passes through many of the best sites this area has to offer. With your tent on your back, this coastal track is a real sightseeing journey. For the cost-conscious, some of the campsites are free! This is without a doubt the most comprehensive way for adventurers to soak up the rugged coast of Cape Reinga over a few days.
6. Take a Scenic Flight
If your favorite way to take in the sights is with a birds-eye-view, then tour companies such as Salt Air provide aeroplane and helicopter tours that can make your Cape Reinga experience truly memorable. These tours show off the “hole in the rock” and the bright blue waters of the Bay of Islands from a different perspective. For those who like to wet their whistle, they even offer heli wine tasting tours, which can be one of the most exciting things to do in Paihia on your way back down from the cape.
