Cape Reinga tour Paihia: Māori sites & Ninety Mile Beach

Walk the spiritual pathway from Ninety Mile Beach to Cape Reinga with Ngāti Kurī guides

This small-group tour travels from Paihia to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach in the far north, led by Ngāti Kurī guides who share the stories and spiritual significance of Te Rerenga Wairua and other ancestral sites along the way. The tour runs for 11 hours and includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a packed lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options available, and pickup from Awanui. Children from age 10 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore spiritual sites and enjoy lunch

• Arrive at Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē beach
• Stop at Houhora Heads for views and stories
• Visit Te Rerenga Wairua at Cape Reinga
• Enjoy packed lunch in scenic setting

The experience

If you're based in Paihia and want to reach the northernmost point of New Zealand's North Island, this tour handles the drive and the navigation. The route follows Te Ara Wairua, the spiritual pathway, starting at Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē (Ninety Mile Beach) and moving north toward Cape Reinga. Rather than a standard sightseeing run, the tour is built around Ngāti Kurī storytelling: guides share the cultural and spiritual meaning of the landscape as you travel, so the journey itself becomes the education.

The main stops are Houhora Heads, where you pause to take in the harbour views and coastline, and Te Rerenga Wairua at Cape Reinga, the departure place of spirits and one of Aotearoa's most spiritually significant locations. Lunch happens in a relaxed setting at Cape Reinga, with the option to request vegetarian or gluten-free meals if you arrange it in advance. The 11-hour day is spent in an air-conditioned vehicle, so the physical demand is low: the tour suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

Pickup is included from Awanui, which sits between Paihia and the northern sites. If you're staying elsewhere in the Bay of Islands, confirm the pickup location when you book.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for the full journey.
• packed lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options available on request.
• pickup from Awanui.
• guided storytelling and cultural insights from Ngāti Kurī guides throughout the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Pickup from AwanuiGuide in English · 09:15Lasts 7 hours; includes pickup

Ka Uri Experience: Tour of Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile BeachGuide in English · 07:00

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00 and 09:15

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (10 to 15 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 21 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Explore Group Limited

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to understand the spiritual and cultural significance of the far north rather than simply see the landmarks. The small-group format and Ngāti Kurī guides mean you get genuine local knowledge and stories that a standard bus tour doesn't offer, and the 11-hour day is built around the journey itself, not rushed stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 15 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Te Rerenga Wairua and why is it significant?

Te Rerenga Wairua, located at Cape Reinga, is the departure place of spirits in Māori tradition and one of the most spiritually significant locations in New Zealand. The tour's guides explain its meaning and cultural importance as part of the journey along Te Ara Wairua, the spiritual pathway.

How long is the drive from Paihia to Cape Reinga?

The full tour runs 11 hours, which includes the drive north, stops at Houhora Heads and Cape Reinga, lunch, and the return journey. Most of the time is spent traveling in the air-conditioned vehicle.

Can I request vegetarian or gluten-free meals?

Yes, vegetarian and gluten-free lunch options are available if you arrange them in advance when you book. Lunch is provided at Cape Reinga in a scenic setting.

Where does the tour pick up from?

Pickup is included from Awanui, which is the starting point for the journey north. If you're staying in Paihia or elsewhere in the Bay of Islands, confirm the exact pickup location and time when you book.