Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua Lighthouse Walk: Guide and Tikanga
Photo: “Cape Reinga Lighthouse” by Rustam Gilyazov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail at a glance
- Type
- Day walk
- Region
- Northland
- Distance
- 800 m one way
- Time
- 10 min one way
- Grade
- Easy short walk
- Bookings
- Not required
- Managed by
- DOC with Ngāti Kuri
Overview
Cape Reinga / Te Rerenga Wairua is near the northern tip of New Zealand, about 111 km north of Kaitaia. A short, easy walk of 800 m (about 10 minutes) one way leads from the car park to its iconic lighthouse. The track is also the start of Te Araroa, the trail that runs the length of the country.
Offshore, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet in a churning swell over the Columbia Bank. On a clear day you may see the Three Kings Islands on the horizon. To the west is Cape Maria van Diemen. To the east is Piwhane / Spirits Bay and Hikurua / de Surville Cliffs, the North Island's northernmost point.
A place of deep significance
Te Rerenga Wairua is a highly sacred place for Māori. Please follow the tikanga (cultural protocols):
- Don't eat any food at the cape. Drinking water is fine. Tapotupotu, 5–10 minutes' drive away on a gravel road, is a good place to eat.
- Don't bury or scatter ashes. It's a lovely place to remember loved ones, but scattering ashes isn't culturally appropriate here.
The walk
The paved track is suitable for children and buggies, but it has steep sections that may not suit every wheelchair user. Bollards across the track leave an 860 mm gap with a right-angle turn. For access help, contact the Ngāti Kuri helpdesk on 0800 837 254. Stay on the paved track and viewing area, because there are steep drop-offs.
Getting there
Follow SH1 north to Waitiki Landing, then continue 20 km to the cape. The road is very busy in summer, so drive slowly. The car park gates are closed from 8.30pm to 7am.
When to go
The cape is busiest in late December and early January, and in the middle of the day (11am–3pm). Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for a quieter experience. It's very exposed, so expect strong wind.
Good to know
- No camping at the cape. The nearest campground is Tapotupotu, run by Ngāti Kuri, and bookings are required.
- No dogs or other pets. No rubbish bins.
- Clean your shoes at the kauri hygiene stations.
Check before you go
Closures, slips, snow and booking changes happen often. DOC with Ngāti Kuri posts current alerts and bookings for the Cape Reinga Lighthouse Walk on its official page.
Current alerts and bookings