No trip to Northland, New Zealand’s northernmost region, would be complete without a visit to Cape Reinga. As the northernmost point of mainland New Zealand, it is steeped in Maori tradition and has truly breathtaking landscapes.
About Cape Reinga: location and geography
Cape Reinga is the northernmost accessible point of the North Island, although the North Cape (30 kilometers or 18 miles to the east) is actually a little further north. It is of great importance to the Maori people and despite its remote location it is a very popular tourist stop.
Location and how to get to Cape Reinga
Cape Reinga is just over 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Kaitaia and there are two routes to get there. The main road goes all the way. The alternate route is quite exotic – it’s along the sandy stretch of Ninety Mile Beach, which is vehicle-accessible between Waipapakauri and Te Paki Creek. This is actually designated as an official road, although extreme care is required and is not allowed for rental vehicles.
Many visitors take a day trip to Cape Reinga from the Bay of Islands or Kaitaia, as accommodation and other facilities do not exist on the Cape and are very limited from North Kaitaia. There are also daily bus tours from the Bay of Islands and Kaitaia, which also run along Ninety Mile Beach.
In 2010, the last 19 kilometers on the way to Cape Reinga were closed, making the whole trip that much more enjoyable.
What to see and do
The approach to Cape Reinga offers spectacular scenery, with huge sand dunes and beaches visible on both sides of the road. The area around the Cape contains quite unique flora and fauna, many of which are found nowhere else in New Zealand. There are many trails and tracks for walking and camping is popular in the area, especially in Spirits Bay and Tapotupotu Bay.
If you feel like swimming, Tapotupotu Bay is just a short detour from the main road. This small beach is one of the most beautiful coves in the far north.
At Cape Reinga itself, a lighthouse, built in 1941 and fully automated since 1987, is the most prominent feature and a well-known New Zealand landmark. From the lighthouse, there is a magical view of the meeting of the two oceans, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The swirl of waves where the currents of the two collide is clearly visible. On a good day, the Poor Knights Island cluster can also be seen about 55 kilometers (34 miles) to the north.
The area around the lighthouse has undergone a significant renovation recently and there are now great walking trails from the parking lot to the lighthouse lookout. Along the track there are several information boards that explain many of the natural and cultural aspects of the area.
Maori history and meaning
An alternative Maori name for Cape Reinga is Te Rerenga Wairua, which means “the place of leaping spirits” and Reinga translates to “Underworld.” According to Maori mythology, this is the place where the spirits of the dead leave Aotearoa (New Zealand) and travel back to their homeland, Hawaiki. The spirit leaps into the sea from a clearly visible pohutukawa tree that clings to the headland below the lighthouse and is dated over 800 years ago.
Weather and when to visit
At this latitude, the climate is temperate at all times of the year. The only thing to keep in mind is the rain; The driest months are from October to March, but from April to September high levels of rain can be observed.
As you approach Cape Reinga, you will be amazed by the breathtaking scenery and almost ethereal atmosphere. This is a very special and remote part of New Zealand.
