Want to take a day trip from Paihia to the northernmost point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga? I went on a guided tour to Cape Reinga, but you can easily do this on your own; you just have to provide your own entertaining commentary to replace the coach driver.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links, I receive a small commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps me maintain this site. Thank you.
Subscribe to my blog and stay up-to-date as I share more information about my travel experiences.
All prices and times were accurate when this information was written or updated; however, please verify the details on the websites before your visit.
Contents
Tour To Cape Reinga From Paihia
Our day starts with a pick-up from your accommodation in Paihia. With four busloads of people heading north, it could get a bit busy, but soon enough, we’re on our way and ready for a big day exploring the top of New Zealand.
Ninety Mile Beach
The first stop is a morning tea break, then it’s onto 90 Mile Beach. Driving on the beach is a novelty for most visitors. It doesn’t take long for the photo to stop on the beach, and today the weather doesn’t disappoint with the wind whipping straight off the Tasman Sea. A couple of other vehicles are also on the beach, but otherwise, it’s a pretty quiet morning on this sandy “highway”.
Cape Reinga
We can’t go all the way to the Te Paki Sand Dunes from the beach as conditions have changed. The last thing we need is to get bogged in the sand, so it’s onward and upward to Cape Reinga.
This spiritual place for Māori is not only the Northernmost point in New Zealand we visit today, but also where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet. The spiritual aspect for Māori is the sight of the Pohutukawa Tree clinging to the rock at the end of the land (see the main photo at the top of this post). The Maori believe their spirits will descend into the underworld to return to their homeland of Hawaiki via the roots of this Pohutukawa Tree. An interesting side note is that the tree never blossoms like all the other Pohutukawa in New Zealand.
Te Paki Sand Dunes
After our walk back from the lighthouse on the tour to Cape Reinga, we head to the Te Paki Sand Dunes via the Te Paki Stream. Once again, most visitors wouldn’t think a stream is a road, but in this case, it is. It’s what we use to take us to the point they use for sand tobogganing. Some people take it a bit cautiously down the slope. Others get very wet from the stream, which is about 10 metres from the foot of the dunes.
Houhora Heads
Back on the bus for another 1-1½ drive to our lunch stop at Houhora Heads. Our lunch for the tour to Cape Reinga is Fish and Chips by the Sea. By now, the sun is out, and the colours coming off the water are beautiful. The Kauri Workshop is the next stop, where we enjoy afternoon tea and admire the beautiful wooden furniture and carvings.
Puketi Forest
Our last stop of the day on our tour to Cape Reinga is the Puketi Forest, where we see real Kauri still standing tall after hundreds of years. Walking through this magical place is a privilege, as it is currently in danger from Dieback disease. However, with a specially built boardwalk, the area should be safe, hopefully for generations to come.
We arrived back in Paihia before 6 pm, having had a long day, but it was well worth the trip, as so much was seen and learnt in such a short time.
I took a day tour to Cape Reinga from Paihia with Fullers Great Sights, combining the Cape Reinga tour with the Cream Trip in the Bay of Islands.
You can read about my blog 1 Amazing Day on the Bay Cream Trip, Bay of Islands NZ, by clicking the link. If you want more information on what to do in Russell, you can read my blog, Visit Historic Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand. In Kerikeri, you can read my blog on 6 Top Attractions in KeriKeri, New Zealand.
Where I Stayed
I stayed in the Paihia YHA, Bay of Islands Lodge, which is close to everything in Paihia.
This sustainable youth hostel features solar power, private and dorm rooms, and a large courtyard with picnic tables, where you can swap stories with fellow travellers at the end of the day.
It’s a short walk to the shops in Paihia, cruises, or the beach, and only three and a half kilometres to Waitangi.
Facilities
- Solar Powered
- Free Wifi
- Free Onsite Car Parking
- Communal Kitchen (with food storage area), Dining and Lounge Rooms
- Recycling Stations
- Herb Garden
- Outdoor area with BBQ
- Games and Book Exchange
- Laundry Facilities
- Wheelchair Accessible
- 24-Hour Guest Access and After-hours Check-in on Request
- Hair Dryers
- Towel Hire
- Hot Water Bottles
- Travel and Activity Bookings
I have stayed here twice now and would highly recommend it. You feel as though you have a home away from home.
How To Get Here
The Bay of Islands Lodge is at 11 MacMurray Road, Paihia.
Have You Found This Blog Helpful? Then, Why Not Buy Me a Coffee?
Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs about Australia, you can find them at the following links: Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art. Alternatively, if you’re interested in New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Photography, you can click on their respective links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
- Car Hire— In New Zealand, you can use Apex Car Rentals New Zealand, Avis New Zealand or Budget New Zealand for all your travelling and exploring needs.
- Camper & RV Rentals—Want a quieter pace exploring Australia and New Zealand in your own accommodation? Jucy Rentals and Star RV Rentals will give you an unforgettable experience travelling.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy provide insurance coverage during your travels.
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
- Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
- Power Stations—Bluetti and EcoFlow Power Stations are your choices for sustainable, eco-friendly power on the go or at home.
- For more tips, try my Travel Links and Resources page.
Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Loved my time in the Bay of Islands it’s a beautiful part of the world even though I never saw everything you did but reading through the blog felt like I was on the journey once again beautiful photos
Thanks Kathy. I’m glad you got the feeling you were there too.
We really enjoyed our visit to Cape Reinga…we were lucky to have great weather too. A stunning place and I would love to visit again.
I hope that you do get to revisit, Laureen.