Cape Reinga is the legendary departure point where the earthly spirit begins the journey back to the Hawaiki, according to Maori mythology. Hawaiki is where the demigod Maui lived.
Maui is said to have caught an immense fish and after a mighty struggle pulled it up. This fish became the North Island and the far north is its tail.
Ninety Mile Beach has been used for motor racing. It is still used for land yacht racing and the latest craze, blokarting, which uses a lightweight (25kg) micro land sailer called a blokart.
Ninety Mile Beach is a designated highway.
Fires are not allowed, so if you need to cook, remember to bring your own cooker.
For activities from Ahipara check out www.ahipara.co.nz.
Distances: Ahipara to Cape Reinga is 128 kilometres. It is 101 kilometres from Kerikeri to Ahipara, 124 kilometres from Paihia.
The Wagener Museum at Houhora, with its wide and diverse collection of oddities including stuffed animals and birds, is a Ninety Mile Beach regular tour bus stop. Close by is the Subritzky Homestead dating from 1862 and built of local kauri.
Walks: Cape Reinga to Cape Maria van Diemen along Terahi Beach and return, about five hours. Tapotupotu Bay through Sandy Bay and the cliffs and return, about two hours. Kapowairua at the eastern end of Spirits Bay and return is about eight hours.
Accommodation sites include camping grounds at Camp Reinga, Pukenui and Houhora, cabins at Waitiki Landing, motels at Pukenui
More information at www.northland.org.nz.
- Photo courtesy of Destination Northland © Destination Northland
