Far North Adventure: Sand Dunes, Coastal Trails & Cape Reinga

JOIN WAITLIST FOR APPROVAL

Join us for a unique three-day adventure at the northernmost edge of Aotearoa. This trip combines sandboarding on Friday, a full-day coastal hike on Saturday, and a special send-off walk on Sunday with our friend Mark — who begins his Te Araroa through-walk (Cape Reinga to Bluff!) that very day. A truly memorable way to cheer him on at the start of his epic journey south.

***

## ITINERARY

## Friday 9 October – Travel & Sandboarding

• Morning: Depart Auckland (approx. 5.5 hrs / ~410 km)
• 1:30 PM: Meet at Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes for sandboarding — climb the dunes and ride them down on a mat or board
• Late afternoon: Set up camp at Tapotupotu Bay DOC Campsite (booking required — see below)

***

## Saturday 10 October – Cape Reinga Coastal Hike + Henderson Bay Stroll

• 8:30 AM: Walk from Tapotupotu Bay camp along the Te Paki Coastal Track towards Cape Reinga Lighthouse (~5 km, ~3 hrs) — dramatic ridge views, clifftop scenery, and a descent to Sandy Bay for a swim and lunch stop (note: we will pass through Sandy Bay again on Sunday with Mark, so enjoy it well today!)
• Midday: Arrive at Cape Reinga Lighthouse — enjoy the iconic view where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean

Getting back to camp — 2 options:
Option 1 – Car Shuttle (preferred — needs enough drivers)
One or more drivers leave camp early to position cars at Cape Reinga carpark before the group arrives. The group walks one way only (~5 km, ~3 hrs). This gives us more time at Sandy Bay and the lighthouse, and gets us back to camp earlier. The more drivers we have, the better — please let us know in the comments if you're driving and how many seats you have!
Option 2 – Walk Only (if shuttle isn't possible)
We walk the full return: Cape Reinga → Sandy Bay → back to camp (~10 km total, ~5.5 hrs including stops). A great walk, but a longer day.

• Afternoon: Drive ~25 min to Henderson Bay for a relaxed beach walk to Grenville Point (~4–5 km return, ~1.5 hrs) — flat, scenic, and easy on the legs.
• Evening: Return to Tapotupotu Bay camp for dinner and second night

***

## Sunday 11 October – Cape Reinga with Mark (Te Araroa Day 1)

• 8:30 AM: Drive 5 min to Cape Reinga Lighthouse carpark
• Walk with Mark on the opening stretch of Te Araroa heading south — clifftop track with sweeping coastal views
• We will walk with Mark as far as the clifftop above Sandy Bay (~2 km, ~45 min each way) before saying our goodbyes and heading back to the lighthouse — a meaningful farewell at the edge of Aotearoa
• ~11:00 AM: Pack up camp and depart for Auckland
• ~1:00 PM: On the road south
• ~6:30 PM: Arrive Auckland

***

## ACCOMMODATION

Tapotupotu Bay DOC Campsite — 2 nights
Managed by local iwi Ngati Kuri — advance booking is essential.

• Book online or contact: 0800 TE PAKI (0800 837 254) / [campgrounds@ngatikuri.iwi.nz](mailto:campgrounds@ngatikuri.iwi.nz)
• Fees: $18/adult per night | $9/child (5–17) | Free under 5
• Cashless only — EFTPOS, credit card, or bank transfer accepted
• Facilities: Tent sites, cold showers, flush toilets (no power)
• No rubbish bins — take in, take out policy

***

## WHAT TO BRING

Essentials:

• Tent and sleeping gear
• Waterproof hiking boots and jacket
• Daypack with at least 2L of water
• Food and snacks for Saturday and Sunday
• Headlamp or torch
• Sandboard or mat (or rent locally at Te Paki)
• Swimwear and towel — Sandy Bay on Saturday is a perfect swim stop

Recommended:

• Quick-drying footwear for stream crossings
• Hiking poles
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Insect repellent (sandflies and mosquitoes at Tapotupotu, especially in the evening)
• Cash/EFTPOS for campsite fees

***

## FITNESS LEVEL

Moderate. Saturday's morning hike is ~10 km return (or ~5 km one way with shuttle) with some steep sections and stairs, rewarded with spectacular coastal views and a swim at Sandy Bay. The afternoon Henderson Bay walk is flat and easy (~4–5 km return). Sunday's walk is short and gentle (~4 km return on the clifftop). Sandboarding also requires climbing the dunes.

***

## SAFETY

• Participants are expected to stay with their pace group
• Your personal safety remains your responsibility
• Be aware of strong wind gusts and rogue waves along the cliff-top sections

***

## CONTRIBUTION

$8 per attendee to help cover Meetup.com platform costs and shared navigation/safety equipment for the group.
Payment is due 2 weeks before the event.
Bank transfer to: 02-0200-0260173-000 — Wakahi.com Limited

***

## CARPOOLING

If you need a ride, please post a comment below. Drivers — let us know how many spare seats you have. The more cars we have, the better our chances of running the Saturday shuttle.