Great Walks of New Zealand

Name: Far North Adventure: Sand Dunes, Coastal Trails & Cape Reinga
Start: 2026-10-09T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-10-11T04:00:00.000Z
Location: Cape Reinga Lighthouse

4.9•226 ratings

About us

Rafick represents [Wakahi.com Limited](https://www.wakahi.com/) on this account.

Please visit our global hiking website (which includes a blog , a forum, and other things) at [Wakahi.com Limited](https://www.wakahi.com/). We also have a shop at [shop.wakahi.com ](https://shop.wakahi.com) where you will be able to read about hiking tips and guides and purchase gear and other hiking related products. Thanks.

Great Walks of New Zealand is a hiking/climbing group based in New Zealand. Our main aim is to promote health, well-being, and happiness by bringing together people interested in hiking, climbing, and travelling.

WHAT WE DO TO PROMOTE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND HAPPINESS

1. Prioritising Happiness: We recognize the importance of happiness in overall well-being. We encourage activities and initiatives that promote joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment in outdoor adventures.
2. Boosting Physical and Mental Health: We encourage practices that support physical and mental well-being, such as regular training, proper nutrition, and mindfulness. We recognize the importance of rest and recovery to prevent injuries and maintain mental clarity.
3. Encouraging Personal Growth: We provide support opportunities for skill development and personal growth in hiking and climbing. We encourage continuous learning through training events.
4. Foster a Positive Environment: We create a supportive and inclusive community where individuals feel valued and respected. We promote positive interactions and discourage behaviors that contribute to stress or negativity, both on and off the trail.
5. Respect Individual Needs: We acknowledge and respect the diverse needs and preferences of hikers and climbers. We provide flexibility and accommodations to support different skill levels, physical abilities, and personal goals.

OUR EVENTS

1. The 11 official Great Walks of New Zealand.
2. Other walks that deserve to be on the list of Great Walks (e.g., Queen Charlotte Track, Te Paki Coastal Track).
3. Any walks that benefit the fitness, health, and happiness of our members.
4. The mountains of New Zealand.
5. The Great Walks and other interesting long-distance hiking trails of the world with emphasis on walks that are off the beaten tracks. We would like to avoid over-touristic places and in so doing help the advancement of poorer communities.
6. Mountains of the world (e.g., Mt. Fuji, Mt. Kilimanjaro), where fitness and endurance levels allow.

Our main emphasis will be on multi-day events, with day events primarily for training purposes. We aim to help as many members as possible reach the fitness and endurance levels required for challenging multi-day hikes.

Members joining an event are expected to contribute to the group as a whole. Unless the Organizer or Event Organizer agrees, members should not sign up for events with the intention of forming their own sub-group and walking separately from others. This has happened in the past, but we aim to avoid it as much as possible.

We will also organize short (1- or 2-day) hikes to help members who lack experience attain the required fitness level and acquire backcountry survival skills.

Please note that this is not a dating site. It is okay to meet someone you like and eventually partner with them, but please do not attend our events solely to meet someone. We will not tolerate members harassing or pressurizing other members.
Similarly, the Organiser will never harass or pressurize any other members, and I am confident that the Event Organisers I have nominated will not either.

CODE OF ETHICS

1. Respect for Nature: We commit to preserving the natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles, minimizing our impact, and respecting wildlife and plant life.
2. Safety First: We prioritize the safety of all members by adhering to safety guidelines, being prepared for all conditions, and looking out for one another.
3. Inclusivity and Respect: We foster an inclusive environment where all members feel welcome and respected, regardless of their background, experience level, or personal beliefs.
4. Community Contribution: Members are encouraged to contribute positively to the group by sharing knowledge, supporting fellow hikers, and participating actively in events.
5. Integrity and Honesty: We value honesty and integrity in all interactions, ensuring transparent communication and ethical behavior at all times.
6. Personal Responsibility: Each member is responsible for their own actions, including being prepared for hikes, respecting group decisions, and adhering to event guidelines.
7. Non-Harassment: We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment or pressure of any kind. Members are expected to interact respectfully and professionally.
8. Commitment to Fitness: We encourage members to work towards the fitness and endurance levels required for challenging hikes, supporting each other in achieving these goals.
9. No Sub-Groups: Members should not form sub-groups within events unless agreed upon by the Organiser or Event Organiser, to maintain group cohesion and unity.
10. Non-Dating Policy: While forming personal connections is natural, our events are not intended for dating. Members should not attend with the sole intention of meeting a romantic partner. It is however OK to meet someone and get connected with them romantically or otherwise if it comes naturally.

Featured event

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

Fri, Oct 9 · 1:00 PM NZDT

Cape Reinga Lighthouse, Cape Reinga, NZ

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.

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## 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
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.

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## 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.