Cape Reinga is a highlight of any Far North road trip, offering sweeping ocean views from its clifftop lighthouse. The headland holds deep significance in Māori tradition, as the place where spirits are believed to depart on their journey after death. Visitors can experience both its cultural importance and the dramatic meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean.
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Discover Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach in New Zealand’s Far North
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The Far North is home to Cape Reinga, Ninety Mile Beach and some of New Zealand’s most memorable coastal scenery. Visit the iconic lighthouse, explore towering sand dunes at Te Paki or enjoy the stunning long sandy beaches of Doubtless Bay. Discover this remote corner of Northland.
Things to do in Far North
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Northland Attractions & Activities by Area
Activities and Attractions in Far North
from NZ $259.00
10 Hours 
Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach
Enjoy the magical views from the Cape Reinga Lighthouse
from NZ $225.00
11:05 hours
Find your perfect Far North experience
Travel Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Far North
What is the Far North of New Zealand known for?
The Far North of Northland is known for its dramatic coastlines, remote beaches, Māori cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks such as Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach. It is one of the most scenic and remote travel regions in New Zealand.
How far is Cape Reinga from the Bay of Islands?
Cape Reinga is approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours’ drive north of the Bay of Islands. Most visitors travel there as part of a guided day tour or multi-day Northland road trip.
Can you visit the Far North in a day trip?
Yes - many visitors take a full-day guided tour from the Bay of Islands to Cape Reinga and return the same day. However, staying longer allows more time to explore places like Doubtless Bay, Mangonui, and surrounding coastal regions.
What are the must-see attractions in the Far North?
Top attractions include Cape Reinga, 90 Mile Beach, the Te Paki sand dunes, and remote coastal beaches such as Rarawa Beach. The region also features scenic drives, Māori cultural sites, and untouched natural landscapes.
Is 90 Mile Beach really 90 miles long?
Despite its name, 90 Mile Beach is actually about 88 kilometres long. It is a legally recognised highway in parts and is often included in guided tour routes to Cape Reinga.
What is the best way to explore the Far North?
The best way to explore the Far North is by guided tour or self-drive road trip. Most visitors start in the Bay of Islands and travel north through scenic coastal routes, stopping at key attractions along the way.
Is Cape Reinga a cultural site?
Yes - Cape Reinga is one of the most spiritually significant locations in Māori culture. It is traditionally believed to be the point where spirits depart New Zealand and journey to their ancestral homeland.
Tourist Information About Far North
Cape Reinga, Māori Heritage & the Journey North
Cape Reinga is one of the most significant places to visit in the Far North, both for its dramatic coastal setting and its importance in Māori tradition. Known as Te Rerenga Wairua, it is traditionally regarded as the place where spirits begin their journey after death. The meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean is another defining feature of the Cape.
For many travellers, reaching Cape Reinga is the highlight of a road trip through the region. The journey passes through increasingly remote landscapes, making it worth allowing plenty of time rather than treating the Cape as a quick stop. Guided One Day Tours can also be a practical option for visitors who prefer not to drive the full route themselves.
Beaches, Sand Dunes & Coastal Adventures
The Far North is home to some of New Zealand’s most recognisable coastal landscapes. Ninety Mile Beach stretches for approximately 88 kilometres along the western coast and is officially part of the road network, although driving on the beach requires suitable conditions, a capable vehicle and careful attention to tides. Rental vehicles generally cannot be taken onto the beach, so a guided Scenic Tour & Excursion is a practical option for visitors wanting to experience this part of the coast.
Nearby Te Paki is known for its large sand dunes, where sandboarding is a popular activity. On the eastern side, beaches around Doubtless Bay and the Karikari Peninsula offer a different coastal experience, with sheltered bays and opportunities for swimming, fishing and other water-based activities.
Exploring the Eastern Far North
The eastern side of the Far North has a number of coastal communities that are well suited to slower-paced exploring. Doubtless Bay is known for its beaches and sheltered coastline, while Mangonui has a strong connection with the region’s maritime history and provides a useful base for exploring the surrounding area.
Further south, Whangaroa is surrounded by distinctive coastal scenery, sheltered waters and bush-covered landscapes. These destinations can be incorporated into a wider Northland road trip, particularly for travellers who want to spend more time away from the main tourist routes.
Outdoor Activities & Natural Landscapes
The Far North offers a wide variety of landscapes within a relatively compact region, from beaches and dunes to forests, farmland and rugged coastlines. This makes it particularly appealing to travellers who want to combine sightseeing with outdoor activities.
Walking and Hiking provides a slower way to experience the landscape, while Fishing, Surfing, Diving and Nature and Wildlife experiences make use of the region’s extensive coastline and surrounding waters.
The combination of remote beaches, marine environments and native landscapes also means conditions and experiences can vary considerably from one part of the region to another.
Planning a Far North Road Trip
The Far North is best suited to travellers who allow time for the journey rather than trying to cover everything in a single day. Cape Reinga is a significant distance from the main centres, and guided tours can be a useful alternative for visitors who do not want to drive the full route themselves.
Allow extra time for beaches, viewpoints and small coastal communities along the way, and check road and weather conditions before travelling into more remote areas. Combining the Far North with Northland and the Bay of Islands creates a more complete northern New Zealand itinerary, with the opportunity to experience both the region’s remote landscapes and its better-known coastal destinations.
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