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The reason why rental companies do not allow you to drive on 90 Mile Beach (which is only 90km or 55 miles long) is simple: The cars are not insured. Often cars get stuck in the sand and have to be left behind. No emergency service is close enough to save the cars from the flood. Mobile phone coverage does not exist in most parts of the area. So the adventure often ends in an endless walk.
If you have your own car and want to risk the beach drive prepare yourself and the car well. Start two hours after high tide, either the way up or down, depending on the time of the tides. (The direction of the bus tours also changes for that reason.) Spray waterproofing spray on the ignition. Drive close to the water, so you do not get in the soft sand, slow down when crossing creeks. If you get stuck lower the air pressure of the tyres. There are many access roads. The buses use the Waipapakauri Ramp, 6km north of Awanui, and in the north they drive through Te Paki Stream - do not stop there!
If you still have the nerves to do it - do it. But do not expect quick help if something goes wrong.
As we wanted a relaxed trip we went on a bus tour with Cape Runners from Kaitaia.
The bus stopped at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom in Awanui which is a run-down town. In a sawmill they cut 30,000 to 50,000 year old kauri logs which they pull out from the swamps. Then at "The Bluff" which is a good fishing spot, with rough sea and volcanic outcrops. We also stopped after having driven through Te Paki Stream and climbed on the huge dunes. Most tours even include tobogganing on the dunes.
From Cape Reinga the tour leads to Tapotupotu Bay which is a wonderful beach next to the cape.
On the way back south on SH1 we stopped at Rarawa Beach. The snow-white silica sands are used for producing glass. At Houhora Heads is the Wagener Museum which displays lots of Maori artefacts, kauri gum, early settlers' tools, firearms, and gives insight into whaling and the Victorian times.
Tour operators:
See transportation tip
Updated May 15, 2007
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On your way back from Cape Reinga turn right at Te Paki and drive about 4 or 5 km's till a car park. Here ends the road for rental cars, because they are not allowed on 'the beach'. Just opposite the car park you will find some huge sand dunes.
Do you want to see the famous beach, you will have to walk, as we did. A very impressive walk through the Te Paki Stream: to your right the yellow dunes for miles and miles, to your left green native bush, the sun on your face and under your feet the nice cold water of the stream. Perhaps you will see people sand boarding on the huge steep dunes.
It is for sure: the only 'things' you will meet are buses and on the beach a lot of birds. A very great experience !!
( It will take about 2 hours for the return walk.)
Updated Jan 2, 2007
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Driving with a rental car it is not allowed on ninety mile beach. But we could not resist the challenge.
We went on the beach near Waipapakauri and went off in Ahipara (we just had some trouble to find the onramp). So we made our 17 kilometers on a ninety mile 'beach high way'.
Although we didn't have any difficulties driving the beach it CAN be very dangerous.
Before driving Ninety Mile Beach please read the transportation tips of VT-member 'kotitihaere' on her Ninety Mile Beach page.
Updated Mar 25, 2006
Address: Ninety Mile Beach
Ninety Mile Beach is actually closer to 90kms, but when you're on it, it feels awfully long!
You can get special coach trips that roar through the surf and stop at sand dunes where you can boogie board down them.
If you have your own transport, look for signposted entries to the beach off State Highway 1. There's one not far north of Ahipara town. It can be dangerous taking your own car onto the beach, and rental cars are not covered by insurance.
This is an old (and dodgy) photo from 1987 on a family trip... I'll do better next time!
Written Feb 4, 2004
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At the bottom of Ninety Mile Beach, a sleepy little seaside town just west of Kaitaia. A great place to spend summer days, fishing, swimming, digging pipis or gathering paua. Take a walk inland, swimming in the rivers and water falls and gather blackberries. You can do a sand dune safari on one of the four wheel drive buses based in Kaitaia or take a day trip up to the Cape. Alternately travel overland on winding roads through fertile farm land to Mongonui stopping to have a look at the glow worm caves on the way.
Written Jun 4, 2003
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Ninety Mile Beach... tips and photos posted by real travelers and Northland locals.
At the bottom of Ninety Mile Beach, a sleepy little seaside town just west of Kaitaia. A great place to spend summer days, fishing, swimming, digging pipis or...
51 members live in Northland
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A: Who or which company did not give you a refund? There are several companies that run Cape Reinga tours. I went on a tour with Harringtons Cape...
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