Sand Dunes and Coastal Eye Candy at Te Paki New Zealand

Te Paki New Zealand and Cape Reinga, at the North Island’s northernmost tip on small, narrow Aupori Peninsula, present backpackers on New Zealand holidays with diverse natural features to explore spectacular golden sand dunes, great tracks for New Zealand hiking, idyllic campgrounds, and picnic spots.

Other New Zealand vacation activities range from tramping to swimming, fishing, diving, and wave surfing.

Maori heritage in this area dates back hundreds of years prior to European arrival by Abel Tasman and Captain Cook, and is well evidenced. Legendary Maori spiritual afterlife is most significant, characterized by the pohutukawa tree on the cape headland (Te Rerenga Wairua), where Maori spirits decend into the underworld by sliding down the tree’s root into the sea.

Natural features include steep coastal cliffs, continually changing dunes, expansive wetlands, and diverse hill country. Bird watching and other animal observation is paramount in the extensive estuary, eelgrass, and salt marsh mangroves.

Wetlands feature unique wading duneland birds, nine species of lizard, and numerous land snail amidst windswept vegetation at Te Paki Recreation Reserve. Nature buffs can view endangered species, such as the flax snail. The reserve also includes beaches, dunelands, Cape Reinga, and Te Paki Stream.

Other area sites of interest include Cape Reinga lighthouse, Mokaikai Scenic Reserve, and various Maori archaeological sites.

Forget New Zealand hotels, hostels and resorts on this portion of your tour and stay at one of three DOC managed campgrounds. Choose Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) in the Kaitaia area, or drive unpaved Cape Reinga Road with caution for a breathtaking bay view, sandy beach, and river setting at Tapotupotu campsite.

If beachside accommodation is more your style during travel to New Zealand, visit Rarawa Beach campground, set amidst pine trees just a short walk from the beach.

All New Zealand driving tours to Cape Reinga travel the on/off ramp, which passes Te Paki Stream and a rest stop with huge sand dunes, on the way to Ninety Mile Beach. Tobogganing on the dunes is a popular side adventure, but remember to keep your mouth shut when traveling downward if you don’t want a mouthful of sand.

The drive south on 90 Mile Beach leads to stream access, also a popular beach entrance and exit point. The track there is part of Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway, with endless outdoor exploration opportunities for stunning panoramic views, bird watching, tramping, and water sports at sandy bays, rocky headlands and spectacular dunes.