Te Paki Coastal Track
Tapotupotu Bay to Cape Reinga
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
Maps
Deep Nature NEW
Author Marios Gavalas, Rankers and hundreds of contributors bring you a free web map to help you get lost (and find yourself) in Aotearoa's nature.
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Photos
Information
Te Paki Coastal Track
5 km one-way | 3 hours one-way
The dramatic sheer cliffs, sandy beaches of Tapotupotu and Sandy Bay and the views from Cape Reinga to North Cape are the highlights of this walk.
The beaches along the way are great for swimming, fishing and relaxing.
Walking Track
Access
Tapotupotu Bay is reached by turning right onto Tapotupotu Road, 2.5km before Cape Reinga. It is 3km along the winding unsealed road to the bay.
The track starts from the orange rectangle on a post at the western side of the bay.
The track exits above the eastern side of the carpark at Cape Reinga.
Track
The Te Paki Coastal Track is a 48 km 3 day tramp traversing New Zealand’s northernmost tip.
The descriptions here have broken the tramp into bite size chunks, with Cape Reinga at the fulcrum.
This is the first in a trio of walks ending at Cape Reinga.
1. Kapowairua to Pandora
2. Pandora to Tapotupotu
3. Tapotupotu to Cape Reinga
The track is marked with orange posts.
For 20 minutes follow the track through grass to the ridge, where it enters low scrub (20 minutes). The 20 minute descent to Sandy Bay is steep, from where it is a 30 minute steady climb to Cape Reinga.
In places the track hovers on the cliff top. Beware of strong wind gusts.
Geology
Cape Reinga is 3km south of Surville Cliffs, which are one kilometre north of North Cape. However, Cape Reinga is the most northerly accessible point on the mainland of New Zealand.
Around 5 million years ago, the Aupori Peninsula, including Te Paki, was a series of islets, an archipelago separated by shallow seas. With the onset and waning of Ice Ages, sea levels fluctuated and large sandspits formed, sculpted by the prevailing south-westerly winds. Te Paki thus became joined to the greater North Island landmass, but still retains an island character. It feels like a different land.
Polynesian History
To Maori the area around Cape Reinga is sacred. After journeying up Ninety Mile Beach, a spirit will climb a high hill called Haumu and bid farewell to the land of the living. It drinks from the stream called Te-wai-o-ngunguru (‘Waters of the Underworld’) and travels down the exposed root of the legendary pohutukawa at Cape Reinga. From there it travels to the Manawa-Tahi (Three Kings Islands), meaning ‘last breath’, and on to Hawaiki.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
|
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Kaitaia |
|
|
Categories |
|
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
|
Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
-
5.0/5
This hike has been one of our absolute favourite activities in Northland.
The coastline is stunning here. The 5km took us about 1.5hrs one way. Stopped at Sandy Bay for a swim on the way back but the beach at Tapotupotu Bay is nicer. Bring plenty of water and cover up. It’s mostly exposed with little shelter. Water refills possible at Cape Reinga toilets (treated water)
-
5.0/5
The walk from Tapotupotu to the lighthouse was one of our favourite far north activities - views were amazing and worth the climbs.
-
-
4.5/5
We hiked from the Tapotupotu DOC campsite to Cape Reinga in two hours admiring breathtaking views of the coast.
The track is well indicated and comfortable. It is exciting when you first catch a glimpse of Cape Reinga's lighthouse!
-
-
5.0/5
Although we only did a small part of the walk, it has been a fantastic experience.
The two climbs were rewarded by overwhelming views of little solitary bays. There are DOC campsites along the walk.
-
-
4.5/5
Excellent track, hidden bays, walking on the 'aisle' or in the bush.
Loved this track.
-
5.0/5
Up and down, up and down, but it is great, you cross different types of country and the Cape Reinga is peaceful.
-
5.0/5
Amazing views!
So beautiful! A little bit difficult especially with big sun but was worth it.
-
5.0/5
Beautiful nature, walk goes up and down, easy five hours with return.
Views over Sandy Bay, Spirits Bay and more, track goes to the lighthouse - north of the north.
-
-
5.0/5
This hike has been one of our absolute favourite activities in Northland.
The coastline is stunning here. The 5km took us about 1.5hrs one way. Stopped at Sandy Bay for a swim on the way back but the beach at Tapotupotu Bay is nicer. Bring plenty of water and cover up. It’s mostly exposed with little shelter. Water refills possible at Cape Reinga toilets (treated water)
-
5.0/5
The walk from Tapotupotu to the lighthouse was one of our favourite far north activities - views were amazing and worth the climbs.
-
-
4.5/5
We hiked from the Tapotupotu DOC campsite to Cape Reinga in two hours admiring breathtaking views of the coast.
The track is well indicated and comfortable. It is exciting when you first catch a glimpse of Cape Reinga's lighthouse!
-
-
5.0/5
Although we only did a small part of the walk, it has been a fantastic experience.
The two climbs were rewarded by overwhelming views of little solitary bays. There are DOC campsites along the walk.
-
-
4.5/5
Excellent track, hidden bays, walking on the 'aisle' or in the bush.
Loved this track.
-
5.0/5
Up and down, up and down, but it is great, you cross different types of country and the Cape Reinga is peaceful.
-
5.0/5
Amazing views!
So beautiful! A little bit difficult especially with big sun but was worth it.
-
5.0/5
Beautiful nature, walk goes up and down, easy five hours with return.
Views over Sandy Bay, Spirits Bay and more, track goes to the lighthouse - north of the north.
-
-
4.0/5
Start at the DOC campsite Tapotupotu to Cape Reinga.
It is a lovely coastal walk to Cape Reinga (10km return), do not forget your bathing clothes and take a rest at Sandy Bay.
-
5.0/5
An amazing walk through the hills to Cape Reinga - we did the shorter way because we did not have enough time left.
Sandy Beach Walk is also great.
-
4.5/5
An easy two hour walk, lovely sandy bay for halfway swim.
Well rewarded trip to the lighthouse.
-
5.0/5
Understated attraction, feel the power of nature and the landscape of New Zealand.
Gorgeous sunsets when most people have already left.
-
5.0/5
Beautiful walk to the even more beautiful Cape Reinga.
Signage could be better.
-
4.0/5
Had a great hike on a fabulous sunny day with amazing views from tapotupotu bay to Sandy Bay part way to Cape Reinga.
Sand flys at Sandy bay and a hard climb down and back up from this bay but still amazing.
-
-
