The other end of the world, The Really Far North

The Cape Reinga lighthouse is our destination today, and while on the way, we hope to find 90 Mile Beach. The lighthouse is what we are going to call the farthest point north on the North Island even though there is a different geological “farthest point north”.

Not much of a change in scenery for the drive, mostly farmland, grazing land and those wrinkled mountains. Pretty easy cruise on standard 2-lane Kiwi roads, a little curvy but not a lot of traffic, one of the benefits of traveling off-season!

So, once here it was hiking all the way. Me and the Misses set out for a peak just past the lighthouse that offered a good view of where the  ocean and sea collide, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Kind of neat because both bodies of water just crash into each other making for some decent wave action.

Aupouri Peninsula

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

Where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean

The never ending battle.

Been there, done that so now on to the lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1941 to replace an aging lighthouse on one of the nearby islands. It originally had a 1,000 watt light that could be seen for ~26 nautical miles from shore. Today, the light has been replaced with a 50 watt beacon that can be seen 19 nautical miles and is remotely operated. Anyway, good walk now head back to find 90 Mile Beach.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse

We past a couple of signs on the way up showing the way to the beach so not a real challenge. Simply find the signs again and turn down the gravel road. Pretty easy until we get to the end of the road and find that the Kiwimobile is now out on the beach about 200’ from the water. Good thing we sprang for the performance package so we didn’t have a problem with the wet sand.

Miles and miles of beach!

The Kiwimobile taking a beach break.

The beach isn’t really 90 miles long, just over 55 miles, but still too far to walk. It’s located on the western side of New Zealand along the Aupouri Peninsula and has been the sight of many ships getting too close to land. One unique fact, this beach is officially part of the NZ public highway system and alternative route to Hwy 1 north.

OK, took some pictures but honestly, it’s just lots of beach, lots of beach! Back in the hot rod and down the road.

We did find a neat little site. The Te Paki Sand Dunes of NZ! The North Island has some of the best sand surfing hills around. All you need is a few bucks to rent a board and the willingness to hike up the dunes (some of the dunes rise ~450’ above the sea), find a spot to slide down, and do it all over again. Oh yeah, it’s getting fairly warm by this time so sweat and sand, perfect combination if you’re looking for an exfoliate. We elected to respectfully decline and instead drove back to our humble abode for the rest of the evening.

The hike!

Forearm sand burn

Still hiking!

I think I might open a scrape and sunburn aid station here!