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<\/a><\/p>\nIt was well worth the effort! The views at the Cape were stunning.<\/p>\n
The entire site is very well done.<\/p>\n There is a wide, paved pathway from the parking lot down to the lighthouse & numerous interpretative \/ information signs strategically located at various viewpoints.<\/p>\n At the Cape, the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a spectacular swirl of currents.<\/p>\n No matter what direction we looked in the views were amazing.<\/p>\n According to Maori legend, Cape Reinga is where the spirits of the dead leap into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.<\/p>\n We spent about 90 minutes at the Cape enjoying the views & then started the drive to the town of Kaitaia where we had booked a hotel room for the night.<\/p>\n We stopped at a nearby beach at Tapotupotu Bay, down a narrow gravel road full of switchbacks & had a light lunch while enjoying more fantastic views & solitude.<\/p>\n Cath spotted several Oystercatchers along the shoreline.<\/p>\n Our next stop along the way was to see some of the Giant Te Paki sand dunes along the 90 Mile Beach that are 10 km long, 1 km wide and 150m (500 feet) high.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a popular spot for people to climb to the top of the dune & then \u201csurf\u201d down on a board rented from a local shop.<\/p>\n Definitely a young crowd here. We opted to keep driving as it looked like a long steep walk to the top!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n