Te Araroa Trail Notes North Island [from September 2016] NORTHLAND - 458km ☼ Kerikeri Oct 14: Sunrise 06:44. Sunset 19:37 Cape Reinga to Ahipara (Map 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006). Distance 100.5km. Time 4 days. Northern Start Cape Reinga. Southern End Boat ramp, Kaka St, Ahipara. Potential Hazards: Vehicles on track Ninety Mile Beach and Kaka St boat ramp; Tides, waves & rivers -safer at low tide; Small stream crossings ; Track exposed to sun, wind or cold; Few water sources; Take care on wet rocks -can be slippery Requirements : No fires Amenities (Start): Car park, Toilets Amenities (On Route): Basic camp site Twilight Beach -2 DOC self-sufficient camping sites. One at the very northern end, among the rushes with a small stream for water (if not dried up). At the south end, there is a larger and more sheltered campsite behind the dunes just before the orange marker. It is best to bring water to this campsite. Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway -20km / 1 day Note: You are best to set off at a lowish tide to make the rock scrambling and stream crossing safer & easier. Carry enough water for your first day. From Cape Reinga, the track heads towards the West Coast, leading you down past steep cliffs and over rock s to the long, sweeping Te Werahi Beach. Beyond this beach, you will experience gorgeous peach-coloured dunes, unusual dune grasses, and views of Cape Maria Van Diemen and Motuopao Island. You follow orange marker posts over Herangi Hill, pass the turnoff to Cape Maria Van Diemen and along cliff tops of flax and manuka scrublands, before dropping down to Twilight Beach. Exit the south end of Twilight Beach on the 4WD track next to the orange marker. The track climbs up and over Scott Point then drops down to Ninety Mile Beach, crossing a swamp via a boardwalk and down a steep set of steps. (While passing over Scott Pt, you will need to watch carefully for a quad motorbike track which veers right off the main 4WD track. The marker may be very difficult to see. Note: If you come to a farm gate and a paddock, you will need to double back about 10 minutes, as you have gone the wrong way. Follow Ninety Mile Beach south for approximately an hour until you come to Te Paki Stream mouth. This is a popular vehicle entrance/exit to the beach so be prepared for cars and tourist buses. (From the stream mouth, it is 1 hour upstream to the road should you wish to exit the beach here). Ninety Mile Beach -80.5km / 3 days. Te Paki Stream is a popular vehicle entrance/exit to the beach so be prepared for cars and tourist buses. From here, you freedom walk down the beach to Ahipara at your own speed. Landmarks you’ll pass are The Bluff (20km), Hukatere (49km) & Waipapakauri (67km). Leave the beach at the Kaka St boat ramp and find your way into Ahipara village, a popular holiday and surfing hotspot at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach and 14km west of Kaitaia. Please DO NOT FREE CAMP in the Aupouri Forest that runs alongside 90 Mile Beach, refer to camp grounds at the Bluff or Hukatere. Kirstin Collins Trail Notes: o From Cape Reinga once you get down the hill to the beach check if the rocks are passable. If the tide is high you will need to take the track above then. Walk along the beach 30 meters. There is a gully to your left. At the southern edge of the gully head up about 10 meters and you should see the start of the track on your right. Look for the Blue tape tied to branches and follow until the markers run out. Then follow the tracks until you come down onto a beach past the rocky part. There were Blue ribbons for the last 50 metres of the track. o In the dunes do not leave the marker post until you can see the next one. Look in all directions. o Entrance to Twilight Camp (free) is easy to see (12km hiking). You will see the tops of the toilets 30 minutes before reaching the camp. When you get below the toilets look for the wooden stairs and go up them to get to the camp. o The track continues through Twilight Camp heading away from the sea following the orange market posts. It quickly swings to the right and you are on your way. Cape Reinga General Information • Te Araroa's northern terminus in the North Island is at Cape Reinga, which is accessible by road. Kaitaia is the most northern gateway town to Cape Reinga, servicing a population of approx. 5200. An alternative is Kerikeri which has the advantage of being on trail, should you want to leave gear. • Far North I-SITE Visitor Information Centre -Te Ahu, Corner Matthews Avenue and South Road, Kaitaia -P: 09 408 9450. [email protected] • Department of Conservation Information Office -25 Matthews Ave, Kaitaia -P: 09 408 6014 -E; [email protected] • Tide times: www.niwa.co.nz/our-science/coasts/tools-and-resources/tides Tide Height Prediction 34° 36’ 50.0” S, 172° 51’ 40 .0” E (Ninety Mile Beach) // Date – Time -Tide Height (m) 10-13: 01:02 -0.96 // 07:14 0.98 // 13:26 -1.06 // 19:40 1.15 10-17: 04:17 -1.69 // 10:30 1.63 // 16:39 -1.60 // 22:49 1.67 10-14: 01:55 -1.18 // 08:07 1.19 // 14:17 -1.25 // 20:30 1.34 10-18: 05:03 -1.72 // 11:17 1.65 // 17:26 -1.58 // 23:36 1.63 10-15: 02:44 -1.39 // 08:56 1.38 // 15:06 -1.42 // 21:17 1.51 10-19: 05:50 -1.67 // 12:05 1.59 // 18:15 -1.49 10-16: 03:31 -1.57 // 09:44 1.54 // 15:53 -1.54 // 22:03 1.63 10-20: 00:24 1.52 // 06:39 -1.55 // 12:55 1.46 Getting there/away: • Intercity Coachlines -P: 09 583 5780 -E: [email protected] -From Auckland -Kerikeri –Kaitaia. Air New Zealand (Link) -P: 09 357 3000 / 0800 737 000 freephone • Transport to Cape Reinga Trailhead: No public transport, however the following operators can assist. Harrisons Cape Runner -P: 09 408 1033 / 0800 227 373 freephone -E: [email protected] -Departs 9am daily from Kaitaia. Sand Safaris -P: 09 408 1778 -E: [email protected] -9am daily departures from Kaitaia $50 per adult. Naked Bus -P: 0900 62533 Call costs. Salt Air -P: 09 402 8338 / 0800 472 582 -Charter flights to Cape Reinga. Arthur Lancaster can provide drop-off service to Cape Reinga and/or long-term parking at Paua Bay. P: 09 4097500. Arthur can also advise on commencing the walk at Spirits Bay. Accommodation : • Waitiki Holiday Park Note: 13km by stream & road to Waitiki Landing Park -SH 1 (20 kms south of Cape Reinga).-P: 09 409 7508 -E: [email protected] -Camping, cabins & backpackers, restaurants & takeaways, convenience store & internet café, drop off & pick up service for hikers. • 90 mile beach: Gunnypa's B&B -located an additional 22km by road -5373 Far North Rd, Ngataki -P: 09 4098108 E: [email protected] -Pickup and dropoff service available. Meals also available. • Maunganui Bluff campground -This is a private camp operated by a local Trust. They are supportive of Te Araroa and happy for walkers to stay here however please be sure to pay a $10/night fee (carry some cash) into the secure honesty box so the reputation of Te araroa is maintained, or this privilege will be at risk. Take care using the water and check all taps are off water gets very low in summer. • Hukatere : Utea Park -Hukatere Rd, Houhora -P: 021 804002 -E: [email protected] . Hukatere Lodge & Hukatere Camping Ground - 809 Hukatere Rd, Houhora -P: 021 884 145 -E: [email protected] - Located right on Ninety Mile Beach [RECOMMENDED] • Waipapakauri : With direct acccess to 90 Mile Beach, communal kitchen, hot showers and flush toilets. Tent sites and 5 4-person cabins. Payment is by koha -recommended $10pp tent site or $15pp for a cabin (transportation, food and any other service upon request) • Ninety Mile Beach Holiday Park -6 Matai St (off West Coast Rd), Waipapakauri -P: 09 406 7298 or freephone 0800 367 719. E: [email protected] -Located at Waipapakauri Boat ramp (entry/exit to the beach) Ahipara - Getting there /away: Bus about Kaitaia -P: 09 408 1092 -E: [email protected] - Re-supply: Superrette Supermarket -4 Takahe St, Ahipara -P: 09 409 4828 - Accommodation: • YHA Ahipara [LOW CARBON] , 168-170 Takahe St, Ahipara -P: 09 4094864 0800 888988 E: [email protected] . Te Araroa preferred hostel: Five minutes from 90 mile beach, YHA Ahipara is the first stop on Te Araroa trail when travelling North to South. YHA Ahipara offers Te Araroa walkers great facilities and a range of accommodation including backpackers’ lodge, tent sites, cabins and a self- contained lodge. Dry out and store your gear while you fuel up in the guest kitchen, make use of the full laundry, check emails and trade travel stories beside the open fireplace over board games and ping pong. Send your bounce box ahead to have it upon arrival or arrange to pick up extra supplies if you call or email at least 48 hours ahead of arrival. When you’re ready to hit the trail again, staff can drop you off at Herekino Saddle for a small donation towards fuel.