In Northland there are a number of successful conservation projects welcoming visitors. These are highlighted in orange on the customised map.
KEY PLACES TO EXPLORE
KAITAIA
Kaitaia is a place where visitors are either going up North to Cape Reinga, ‘up the road’ or South to Mangonui, ‘down the road.’ The town has a reputation for being a place where rival gangs compete for territory. Yet the town is very welcoming to visitors as a substantial part of the local economy works in the tourism sector.
The town has a strong sense of community and family (whanau) and asking where to go and how to get there you will be offered plenty of advise.
WHAT ARE THE TOP SIGHTS NEARBY KAITAIA?
- Cape Reinga Lighthouse and the top of Aotearoa New Zealand
- Ahipara and Shipwreck Bay where gumdiggers once launched reefers to export kauri gum now surfers experience some of the best swells in New Zealand
- Ahipara arts and craft centre is a mere 14 km away
- Gumdiggers Park, an original 100 historic kauri gum site
- Mangonui and the best fish n chips in NZ
- Fascinating dune lake Lake Ohia and Lake Ngatu
FOR ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS IN KAITAIA CHECK OUT
AHIPARA (14 km from Kaitaia)
Ahipara is a natural place to start finding the edges of New Zealand. Ahipara is more than a beach, there is a vibrant local art scene, a picturesque golf course with sand dunes offering challenges and the welcoming vibe of a small community.
Discover a vibrant community nestled among the sand dunes of Ahipara Bay. Ahipara Beach is a safe swimming location and is a local popular spot in summer.
- Shipwreck Bay, where the kauri gum diggers launched lighters to waiting cargo ships, is now an internationally known surfing beach
- Golf among the sand dunes, its 18 hole magic and the best place to catch the golfing bug. Full club facilities. All visitors are welcome. Hire clubs and trundlers available.
Towering sand dunes of Tauroa Peninsula are the entrance way to Shipwreck Bay, a well known surf break with consistent rolling swells from the Tasman that are forced to peel a long Reef Point. Of historic interest is the nearby Gumfields Park. Like other parts of Northland, digging and mining of Kauri Gum used to bring money into the area. Until the Gum ran out.
Ahipara is located on the west coast of Northland and the southern end of 90 Mile Beach.
… read more What’s so great about Ahipara.
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LAKE NGATU – DUNE LAKE
A great place for families to picnic and enjoy an easy perimeter walk. Lake Ngatu is a freshwater dune lake and recreation reserve.
- Length: 4 km boardwalk and firm gravel
- Dogs: on leash
How far away is Ninety Mile Beach from Lake Ngatu?
Walking through to 90 mile beach is 6 km (one way). The walk is signposted. There are several stiles to clamber over and uneven ground.
Check DOC resource for up to date information.
Map of walking track and direction to Ninety Mile Beach
Lake Ngatu is shallow and a great place to paddle board or kayak. There are manuka groves on the shoreline and raupo beds (flax) creating a fantasy world where dab chicks, herons, shags and ducks populate the lake.
The walking track is exposed to the sun. You will need to carry water and sunscreen. There are toilets on either side of the lake. Beautiful big shade trees are perfect for a picnic.
What’s in a name, Lake Ngatu
Lake Ngātu derived its name from the nearby pā after the battle at Te Rangianiwaniwa. Te Aupōuri retreated towards the beach and stopped to wash their wounded and their dead killed in this battle, in Lake Ngātu. They then went up the beach at Ngāpae. From this time, the name of this maunga (Puke Ngātu Pā) for te iwi o Ngāi Takoto, was applied to the lake.
GUMFIELDS PARK, NORTHLAND ATTRACTION, THINGS TO DO
Extractive industry. Similar other parts of Northland, digging and mining of Kauri Gum used to bring money into the area. Until the Gum ran out. Gumdiggers Park is an attraction based around an original 100 year old digging site for kauri gum. The area is also known as Kaikino Swamp. Gumdiggers Park is part of the once much larger Aupouri Gumfields; the largest Gumfields in the country. The last kauri gum was extracted in the 1950’s.
Gumdiggers Park top sights:
- Recreated shacks and raupo (flax) huts
- Original kauri gum equipment for extraction and processing
- Gum store for supplies
- Massive swamp kauri logs over 100,000 years old
- Walking through the gumfields
- Northland green gecko breeding programme
WHAT TO DO NEARBY GUMDIGGERS PARK, NORTHLAND?
Cape Reinga is up the road (approximately 90 km) and the tip of Aotearoa New Zealand. Ahipara and Kaitaia are the nearest towns with arts, crafts and surfing beaches.
… read more Gumdiggers Park, attractions and things to do
CAPE REINGA TOP SIGHTS
- Tidal tussle between Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean
- Te Paki Reserve with its massive sand dunes and coastal walks
- Cape Reinga lighthouse is about 961 ft (292.9 m) above sea level
- The Pohutukawa tree, at the tip of the Aupouri peninsula is estimated to be 800 years old. The tree is where spirits slide their way down into the sea on their way to their ancestral home.
- Cape Reinga sunset or sunrise is stunning
Cape Reinga can feel ‘crowded’ with land reduced to a jagged peninsula and a narrow path to the lighthouse. For an authentic solitary experience arrive either before or after the tour buses have disgorged their inhabitants – before 11.00 am for after 3.00pm in the afternoon.
Immerse yourself in a world where the ocean reduces land to a pinpoint creating an end of the world feeling.
TE PAKI RECREATIONAL RESERVE – POU TRAIL
As you travel towards Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) you see pou (large posts) indicating places of interest to stop and learn about the specific stories for each pou as you soak up the views. The design of the pou’s panels is accompanied by an information plaque. There are four stops (Pou 1 to 4) as you travel towards Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga).
TE ARAROA TRAIL HIKING AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
For detailed notes about the trail, Cape Reinga to Ahipara section check out New Zealand’s Trail. While a PDF or downloaded version is a great idea, remember to check the website for up to date information before you commence each section.
TE PAKI SAND DUNES – SANDBOARDING ADVENTURE
Hills of gold sand beckon visitors to hop on a sand board and career down the slope. Your hair, clothes and footwear will be filled with sand. It is an extraordinary sight, the desert landscape butting up against green pasture dotted with sheep.
Sand is surprisingly abrasive and wears long sleeved trousers to protect yourself from the inevitable spills.
And for those who don’t wish to trudge up the gignatic shifting sand dunes there are great views of the gold dunes, the green pasture fields and sandboarders from the carpark… read more about Te Paki Sand Dunes, getting there and tips for sand boarding.
NINETY MILE BEACH, ATTRACTIONS, THINGS TO DO AND GETTING THERE
Discover a drivable beach that is not 90 miles, rather 55 miles or 88 km in length. The southern edge of the beach is Tauroa Point headland, past Ahipara Bay. The wide stretch of low tidal sand is hard packed and drivable with a 4W4 vehicle.
- West coast beach characterised by driftwood, rolling surf and sand dunes
- Ninety Mile Beach’s major claim to fame is the enormous Te Paki sand dunes and its route leads to the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse
BEYOND CAPE REINGA – PARENGARENGA HARBOUR AND EASTERN BEACHES (RARAWA)
TE WERAHI BEACH, NORTHLAND
A surprise at Cape Reinga, Northland is a mere 45 minute walk. Find a quiet empty glorious beach at Te Werahi Beach. From Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, a 2 km track follows the West Coast leading you down past steep cliffs to the long, sweeping Te Werahi Beach. This section makes a nice short walk or half day excursion. At Te Werahi you will notice the coastline is wilder than the secluded north/east coast bays.
SPIRITS / KAPOWAIRUA BAY
Spirits Bay is the home of departed Maori spirits before their journey to their ancestral home. The wide 10 km sandy beach is over 9 km in length creating an otherworldly place where the beach reaches to the horizon. Behind the beach is Paranoa Swamp, Spirits Bay wetlands home to the rare fernbird.
RARAWA BEACH, NORTHLAND ATTRACTION
Remote camp site favoured by bird watchers and visitors after quiet outdoor space. The natural dune ecosystem has native pingao and spinifex plants. Birds nest among the dunes between August to March. New Zealand dotterel and variable oystercatchers are vulnerable to dogs and people unintentionally disturbing nest sites.
PARENGARENGA HARBOUR, NORTHLAND ATTRACTION
Parengarenga Harbour is sheltered from the sea by a 10-kilometre-long promontory of pure silica sand, called Kokota Spit. Parengarenga Harbour is an outstanding example of a largely unmodified northern estuary with a subtropical climate.
NORTHLAND WEATHER
Northland has a moderate climate of warm humid summers, relatively mild wet winters, and prevailing south-west winds.
Rainfall varies from mean measurements of 992 mm at Cape Reinga to 1440 mm at Te Paki with higher rainfalls likely in hillier locations.
Winter is the wettest season of the year, but heavy rain may occur at any time, the heaviest rains are associated with easterly wind conditions. The driest months are January and March, with most rain falling in August.
This road trip is part of the scenic journeys beyond Auckland to the far north of Aotearoa New Zealand exploring both the west and east coast of scenic Northland.
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