7 Best Things to Do at Cape Reinga, New Zealand 2024

Located at the northernmost point of New Zealand’s mainland, Cape Reinga is a sacred site for Maori people. It is not only where Te Rauparaha and his tribe are said to have arrived in Aotearoa but also where spirits return to their homeland.

Cape Reinga offers many things to do including sandboarding, hiking, and scenic flights. It’s also the only place in the world where you can watch the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.

Most people miss the Cape in favour of going south from Auckland. But a detour north, even past the Bay of Islands, will reveal one of the most important places in the Maori culture. And some of the best things to do in New Zealand.

This guide will help you plan the best things to do at Cape Reinga for an amazing experience on New Zealand’s North Island.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Do the Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk

This is one of the best things to do at Cape Reinga and probably the most popular.

The 1.6 km lighthouse walk takes about 20 minutes, round trip and will reward you with unbelievable views of both oceans meeting as well as all kinds of flora, fauna, and interesting landscape features.

Cape Reinga’s lighthouse was the last manned lighthouse to be built in New Zealand. It is one of New Zealand’s iconic landmarks that is featured on numerous postcards and souvenirs.

See the Cape Reinga Oceans Meet Point

Beyond its importance in Māori mythology, Cape Reinga is a unique destination geographically.

Cape Reinga is the location where the western Tasman Sea meets the eastern Pacific Ocean. However, they don’t meet in a Little Mermaid-worthy tidal wave. The water is choppy and, if you look closely, you can sometimes see a slight difference in the colours of the two seas.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Significance to the Maori People

Reinga means “underworld” in Māori. That should have been a clue of the Cape’s significance to their culture!

There are two springs at the bottom of the hillside. Water is essential Māori funeral ceremonies. It represents cleansing the spirit of death.

At Cape Reinga, the dead spirit must drink from the waters of one of the springs to return to the spiritual world. If they don’t, they will return to the land of the living.

Walking the Spirit’s Pathway

I travelled to Cape Reinga on an unfortunately foggy day. We got to the lighthouse walk before the rain started pouring (that waited until we were careening down sand dunes while sandboarding), but we didn’t beat the fog.

The whole Cape, from the parking lot to the lighthouse, was shrouded in a heavy mist that settled on my skin. It felt like the air was heavy with the spirits of Māori heading to their ancient home.

I could barely see the white lighthouse at the end of the short path.

The roar of ocean waves seemed muted by the fog.

If I peered down into the trees, I could just make out the turquoise of the water.

Or was that just more trees? It was almost impossible to tell.

We couldn’t see the springs or the ancient pohutukawa tree or the springs through the heavy fog.

Most pohutukawa trees blossom red around this time of year, earning them the title of “the New Zealand Christmas tree.” However, this tree has never blossomed in its estimated 800 year life. There would be no flash of red to help it stand out amongst the greenery beyond the path.

The Spirit’s pathway was marked with wooden plaques explaining the history of Cape Reinga. They skimmed the European settlement of New Zealand and the naming of Three Kings Islands (after the wise men, since it was discovered on the eve of Epiphany).

Almost all of them explained the spiritual significance of Cape Reinga.

It felt fitting that the information focused on Reinga’s main significance to the Maori people of New Zealand.

The appearance of numerous European voyagers and the construction of a lighthouse are far less important than the path for every Māori spirit to the afterlife.

My Experience Walking the Maori Pathway to the Underworld

Travelling the Spirit’s Pathway felt spiritual in a surprising way.

People weren’t silent on the ten-minute walk down the path. Everyone stopped to take cliché tourist photos holding the lighthouse or looking out into the mist. We all respected the no eating or drinking rule (a rule explicitly stated at the entrance to the path).

But it was more than that.

Conversations seemed less exuberant. There wasn’t a lot of laughter. It felt somber; like this place deserves.

I am actually really glad I got to go on a foggy day. I don’t think I would have felt the gravity of Cape Reinga on a sunny day. The bright blue of the water would have distracted me from the true meaning of this cultural haven.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Cape Reinga Signpost 

Another highlight at the Lighthouse walk is the signpost.

You’ll find a signpost at the Cape Reinga and the southern Bluff. These show you just how far away New Zealand is from the rest of the world.

It’s a perfect spot for an Instagram shot.

Watch the Sunrise or Set from Cape Reinga

If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to catch the sunrise or sunset from this magical spot.

It’s one of the best places in New Zealand to watch the sunrise and set. With the expansive water, the views seem to go on forever.

Walk the Lighthouse walk to get this unfettered view.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Picnic at Tapotupotu Bay

Since you can’t eat at the lighthouse, you’ll need somewhere to enjoy a meal.

There are few restaurants at Cape Reinga, so one of the best things to do is to dine on a packed meal at Tapotupotu Bay.

This beach is very accessible and even offers camping.

I recommend having your lunch then going for a swim in the turquoise waters.

Since most people don’t go north of Auckland, the beaches near Cape Reinga have so much more room to enjoy.

Drive 90 Mile Beach

While you are on the tip of Northland, take a look at the longest beach in New Zealand.

90 Mile Beach is legally a highway, but you shouldn’t attempt it without the proper vehicle. That’s why tours of Cape Reinga are so popular: they have the cars you need to enjoy a drive on this unique beach.

Fun fact: the beach isn’t 90 miles long! It’s only 55 miles long.

The drive is really fun. I loved getting to look out at the beach as we zoomed down it, through the mist of a rainy day.

Most people drive this highway from Cape Reinga to Kaitaia on their way south.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Sandboard the Te Paki Sand Dunes

One of the most adventurous things to do at Cape Reinga is to sandboard at the Te Paki Sand Dunes.

All you need is a boogie board, and you can sled down the sandy hills.

Growing up in Canada, I’ve sledded on a lot of snow. But never sand!

It’s very similar, but you end up with very sandy feet after. So bring a towel to dry them off before you keep going.

This requires some agility as you have to scale loose sand on your way up the dune and have the stomach to hand barrelling down the dunes face-first.

However, it’s totally worth it!

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Hike the Te Paki Coastal Track

Another great hike you can do at Cape Reinga is the Te Paki Coastal Track.

This one isn’t well known, so it’s less crowded than most trails you’ll find in New Zealand.

You’ll see spectacular coastal views and beautiful green fields along the way.

I would recommend doing this in conjunction with sandboarding at the Te Paki Sand Dunes. Probably do this second if you don’t have the proper towels to dry your feet, or you’ll have to hike with sandy shoes.

Te Paki Coastal Track takes 4 days to pass the 48km.

You’ll need to carry your kit and camp along the way. It’ll allow you to see more of the coastline than a day hike.

Other Hikes at Cape Reinga

There are three other hikes you can do in Cape Reinga, and they all take just a few hours:

• Te Werahi Loop Track, 16km
• Twilight Loop junction to Cape Maria von Diemen, 2km 
• Te Araroa Trail, part of the Te Paki Coastal Track

Fly Over Northern New Zealand

If you have the budget, book a flight over Northland so you can get an aerial view of Cape Reinga.

These helicopter or plane tours take around 20 minutes and allow you to see things from a totally different perspective than when you’re on land.  

This is one of the best things to do in New Zealand: see the land from above.

You’ll go from the Bay of Islands to see the Hole in the Rock all the way up to the famous Whitehouse of Cape Reinga.

Book your scenic flight now!

Best Cape Reinga Bus Tours

There are a number of bus tours that will take you to Cape Reinga. If you’re on a budget, these can be some of the best things to do in New Zealand.

Many bus tours only focus on 90 Mile Beach and the Spirits Pathway.

While this covers some essential things to do at Cape Reinga, it does miss out on a few of the more unique activities.

You can add a trip to Cape Reinga and Bay of Islands on a Kiwi Experience bus tour.

Or take the Intercity dedicated tour of Cape Reinga, which is more budget-friendly if you’re not planning to tour the whole country.

How to Get to Cape Reinga

Auckland to Cape Reinga

The best way to get to Cape Reinga from Auckland is by bus tour. This allows you to do all of the best things to do at Cape Reinga.

If you want to drive yourself, it will take about 6 hours north on Highway State 1.

Most people prefer to stop in Paihia or Kaitaia to break up the drive, and to see some more of Northland.

👉 I recommend this tour to Cape Reinga from Auckland

Paihia to Cape Reinga

Once you’re in Northland, it takes about 2 more hours to get to Cape Reinga on your own.

There is only one main road: Highway 1.

You’ll be surrounded by farmland and small towns as you drive. But there is minimal in the way of food options, so pack some meals ahead of time for your transit days.

Kaitaia to Cape Reinga

From Kaitaia, it takes 1 hour to get to Cape Reinga.

This is definitely the most beautiful drive you’ll do in Northland.

You’ll go over hills, through farmland, and along the coastline with 90 Mile Beach on one side of the road.

It’s a very scenic route!

Where to Stay in Cape Reinga

It’s hard to find places to stay in Cape Reinga itself.

Most people camp or do multi-day hikes, where they camp through their hikes.

If you’re looking for traditional accommodations, I recommend going down to Paihia and Kaitaia.

The best hostel in Paihia is Centabay Lodge. It’s the hostel I stayed in that was very accessible and offered hot tubs!

Check out this affordable and accessible villa with waterfront views.

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