Sand Dune Surfing and a Drive along 90 Mile Beach, Northern New Zealand

 Our route to the northernmost tip of New Zealand followed the east coast and our trip back followed the west.  Having enjoyed the thrill of visiting Cape Reinga our return trip took us first to the quiet, secluded Tapotupotu Bay where we dined on  packed lunches beside the rolling surf.  Back on the bus and off again we made our way along the Te Paki stream to the giant Te Paki sand dunes.  Luckily the stream was low making our trip along the stream bed bumpy but possible, it can become impassable after heavy rain .  The sand dunes stretch along the coast for 10 kilometres and reach up to 150 metres (feet) in height, they are a spectacular sight.

The bus drove along the stream bed to reach the Te Paki Dunes

Me on Dune 45 Namibia.
Dots at the top are people

We were there to do some sand surfing and I was determined to have a go.  Armed with sand surfing boards, provided by the tour company, those keen to give it a try climbed a dune looking forward to a thrilling ride down.  I don't know if you have ever climbed a gigantic sand dune but it is very hard work. Your feet sink down into the soft sand and each step is a major effort. It doesn't take long to feel pretty exhausted.  The last time I climbed one was in Namibia where I went right to the top of the 170 metre high Dune 45 at Sossusvlei to watch the sunrise.  I remember what a tough climb that was and I was 10 years younger then, but as the saying goes "Nothing ventured, nothing gained" so climb I did.

Fun on the Te Paki sand dunes

And I was pleased I did, it was well worth it.  At the top, and after some instruction from our guide, we lay stomach down on our boards and careered down the steep sandy slope one after the other, finding it was easy to brake, just by digging your toes into the sand. What an absolute buzz. I enjoyed it so much I went back for a second go but couldn't face climbing the dune a third time so just enjoyed watching from below the more youthful among us having fun.

At the start of our beach drive.  Speed limit on the beach - 100kph

Exhilarated, and still buzzing, we boarded the bus again for a drive along 90 mile beach.  90 mile beach is a bit of a misnomer, it is actually 55 miles or 88 kilometres long but you get the picture, it is really, really long, stretching as far as the eye can see.   The compacted golden sand makes it easy for buses to drive along the beach with foaming surf on one side and undulating sand dunes on the other, a truly unique experience. Interestingly, Ripiro Beach slightly further south is longer at 107 kms but far less famous. Herds of wild horses live in the dunes and the Aupouri forest behind the beach and we were hoping to see them.  Our guide warned us it would be unlikely but as luck would have it we spotted a small group of them right at the edge of the beach, a beautiful sight. The whole area is wild, isolated and absolutely wonderful.

The wild horses

 

Australia is out there somewhere

As far as the eye can see

We stopped for afternoon tea  in the lovingly refurbished pub at the tiny village of Awapuni before making the final trip back to Paihia.  What a fantastic day I'd had, it was everything I'd hoped for. 

 I highly recommend taking a GreatSights Fullers tour to Cape Reinga. Just sit back, enjoy the scenery and feel confident in the knowledge of the driver/tour guide.  You won't be disappointed. 

NB: I was not hosted by Fullers, I was a paying customer and this is purely my opinion.

Excuse the poor quality of some of the photos.  They were taken from the bus.