Te Paki Coastal Track (Te Paki Stream trailhead)

Point to point

Getting There

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.

Wildlife Spotting

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:

• New Zealand Dotterel (tūturiwhatu): These rare, shore-dwelling birds nest directly on the sand at Spirits Bay and Twilight Beach. They are highly vulnerable, so please tread carefully and give them a very wide berth.
• Variable Oystercatcher (tōrea pango): Easily spotted along the rocky shorelines and sandy beaches with their distinctive bright orange beaks and jet-black feathers.
• Fernbird (mātātā): If you are quiet while walking through the low-lying wetland and manuka scrub, you might hear the metallic "u-tock" call of this secretive, brown-streaked bird.
• Grey Warbler (riroriro) and Fantail (pīwakawaka): These friendly little forest birds are common companions along the clay tracks through the regenerating native bush, darting around to catch the insects you stir up.

Seasonal Magic & Practical Tips

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.

• Summer offers the best swimming weather, but the heat can be fierce and shade is virtually non-existent. You will need high-quality sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of hydration.
• Autumn and Spring are perhaps the ideal seasons, offering cooler walking temperatures and quieter campsites.
• Winter is mild, but rain can make the clay tracks on the headlands incredibly slippery, so sturdy boots with good grip are essential.

• Water is gold: Water is available at the DOC campsites (Pandora, Twilight Beach, and Tapotupotu), but it must be treated or boiled before drinking. Carry at least 2 to 3 litres with you every day.
• Camping Gear: There are no huts on this track. You must carry a lightweight, seaworthy tent, a warm sleeping bag, and a gas cooker.
• Tides: Some beach sections, particularly around the headlands and the Te Paki Stream exit, are much easier (and safer) to navigate at low tide. Check the tide charts before you set off each morning.

Local & Regional Context

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 the Walk

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.