You have to be up early doors if you want to see the most northern point of this beautiful country. And do grab a good breakfast before you leave, because a trip to Cape Reinga with AwesomeNZ is an action-packed day!
As you leave Paihia at 7.30am, you will take time to know your friendly driver-guide who will tell you so much about the things you will see along the way. Your first stop is the 15,000ha Puketi Kauri Forest. Hug a tree, because remember these plants allow us to breathe everyday!
Hop back on the bus and enjoy the scenery that appears before you, it is a long way up to the top but a quick stop at Taipa's bakery should give you some energy. The landscape gets even more impressive as you get closer. Between stretches of farmland and many little lambs to desert-like.
As AwesomeNZ tells us, 'The headland of Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua) rises steeply to 290m above sea level. According to Maori legend this is the departing place of spirits on their journey to the homeland, Hawaiki. Legend tells of a spirit trail along 90 Mile Beach, starting at the southern end of the beach, the departing spirit waits for an outgoing tide before journeying back to Hawaiki'.
The grounds of Cape Reinga offer tourists a real insight of the stories and legends of the place, with information panels dotted along the way. Please not that these grounds are 'tapu' or sacred, and food and drink should not be brought in to show respect to the indigenous spirits. Most impressive is the distinct natural line where two great waters meet - witness the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean collide for yourself!
Take some snaps of the lighthouse and the multi-distance pole - 'I'm that far from London? That feels great!'
Next stop is Taputaputa Bay, where you can have a surf (AwesomeNZ provides the boards) or just take a stroll along the beach. A chance to relax before speeding down the slopes of Te Paki Stream Sand Dunes. Listen closely to the safety instructions, it is a dangerous but fun exercise :-) (And you will get sand up your nose despite your best efforts).
It's time to go even faster and make some donuts on 90 Mile Beach, which turns out to not be 90 but 55 miles long. Several theories have been advanced for the name, the most common stemming from the days when missionaries travelled on horse back when on average a horse could travel 30 miles (50 km) in a day before needing to be rested. The beach took three days to travel therefore earning its name, but the missionaries did not take into account the slower pace of the horses walking in the sand, thus thinking they had travelled 90 miles (140 km) when in fact they had only travelled 55.
A very eery and desolate place, with the sad presence of 2 beached baby sharks. When the weather permits, you may get a chance to dig for some pipis.
By this point you'll be starving folks, but fret not, you have the opportunity to savour the region's 'best fish n' chips'. Now, I hear a lot of places say that. Whitby in Northern England, Anstruther Fish Bar in Scotland, and many others. But Mongonui's fish shop is damn good. Mushy peas, ketchup and vinegar available for those strange people. Ok, mushy peas are alright.
Head back to the Bay and reflect on where you've been, it doesn't get more spiritual than this in NZ.
GO EXPLORE!
Steph
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