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Te Paki Stream car park, Far North
48 km
96 hours
900 metres
Safety notice: Conditions change; check DOC/local council/weather before walking.
Imagine standing at the very edge of New Zealand, where the wild Tasman Sea collides with the vast Pacific Ocean, feeling the salt spray on your face and looking out over endless, wind-swept sand dunes. This is the Te Paki Coastal Track, an extraordinary 48-kilometre, point-to-point journey that winds around the rugged northernmost tip of the North Island. Typically tackled over four days (about 96 hours of pure coastal bliss), this advanced tramp boasts an cumulative elevation gain of 900 metres and promises an unforgettable escape into the wild.
Starting from the golden sweeps of Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) and finishing at the iconic Te Paki Stream car park, this challenging walk is also a highlight of the famous Te Araroa Trail. You will traverse a breathtakingly diverse landscape. One moment you are trekking along dramatic clifftops and scrambling over ancient headlands, the next you are walking along pristine, deserted beaches, or navigating through regenerating native manuka scrub.
Be prepared for a workout! Walking on soft sand and conquering the steep, clay-slicked headland climbs will test your legs. Navigating the shifting sands also requires a keen eye for the orange DOC markers. Because of the challenging terrain, long exposed sections, and total self-sufficiency required, this trail is not kid-friendly and is best suited for experienced, fit hikers. Dogs are also strictly prohibited to protect the fragile coastal ecosystems and native wildlife.
The Te Paki Coastal Track is a visual feast from start to finish. Here are the absolute standouts you cannot miss:
The Te Paki Stream car park is located approximately 4 km down Te Paki Stream Road, which turns off State Highway 1 about 5 km north of Waitiki Landing. This gravel parking area is a popular access point for the dunes and Ninety Mile Beach, offering toilet and changing facilities. However, for multi-day hikes on the Te Paki Coastal Track, visitors are strongly advised to arrange secure parking and shuttle services from local operators, such as those in Waitiki Landing, due to a history of car break-ins at trailheads.
Get DirectionsKeep an eye out for these native and local bird species along the trail
Poodytes punctatus
A secretive marsh-dweller, known for its cryptic plumage and distinctive 'stitch' call, sometimes visiting from nearby estuaries.
Best time: Year-round
Gerygone igata
Small greyish songbird also known as Riroriro. Has a distinctive trembling song often heard before seen.
Best time: Year-round
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Point to point
To tackle this point-to-point adventure, you will need to head to the absolute top of the Far North.
The finish line at the Te Paki Stream car park is located roughly 4 kilometres down Te Paki Stream Road, which branches off State Highway 1 about 5 kilometres north of Waitiki Landing. This is a gravel road accessible to standard vehicles, and the car park features toilet and changing facilities.
Because this is a point-to-point hike, logistics require some planning. While you can drive to the trailheads, hikers are strongly advised not to leave vehicles overnight at either Te Paki Stream or Spirits Bay due to a history of car break-ins in these remote areas. Instead, the best option is to park your vehicle securely at Waitiki Landing and arrange a shuttle service with a local operator to drop you at the start and collect you at the end.
The remote ecosystems of Te Paki are a haven for native birdlife. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for these local residents along the way:
One of the best things about the Far North—often called the "winterless North"—is that the Te Paki Coastal Track can be hiked in Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter.
This landscape is deeply sacred to Māori, particularly the Ngāti Kurī iwi (tribe). Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Reinga) is the spiritual "leaping-off place" where the spirits of the deceased travel to the ancient pōhutukawa tree clinging to the rocky cape, sliding down its roots into the ocean to return to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.
As you walk, you will pass ancient pā (fortified village) sites, terraces, and middens (historic shell heaps). These areas are rich in cultural heritage and are considered wāhi tapu (sacred places). Please show respect by sticking strictly to the marked trails and leaving everything exactly as you find it.
After four days of eating dehydrated meals and walking on sand, you will be dreaming of a hot meal and a cold drink.
Your first stop should be the Waitiki Landing Complex, located just off State Highway 1. It is the northernmost food stop in New Zealand and is a legendary oasis for hikers. Here, you can grab a colossal burger, a basket of hot chips, and a cold beer while swapping stories with fellow travelers.
If you are heading further south back down the peninsula, make a detour to the historic Houhora Tavern for a classic Kiwi pub meal overlooking the beautiful Houhora Harbour, or stop in the Doubtless Bay area for some world-famous fish and chips at the Mangonui Fish Shop.
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae scopulinus
This native New Zealand gull is a common sight in coastal towns, easily identified by its bright red bill, eye-ring, and legs.
Best time: Year-round
Haematopus unicolor
Coastal wading bird with a distinctive long orange-red bill. Found on beaches and estuaries around New Zealand.
Best time: Year-round
Anarhynchus obscurus
A threatened shorebird, the southern subspecies is critically endangered and breeds on sandy beaches and exposed hilltops.
Best time: Year-round
Rhipidura fuliginosa
Small insectivorous bird with distinctive fan-shaped tail. Friendly and curious, often following walkers through the bush.
Best time: Year-round