10/7/2021 Far North Cycleway — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Far North Cycleway Mountain Biking Difculty Medium Length 166.7 km Journey Time 2 days cycling Region Northland Sub-Region Far North Part of the Collection Nga Haerenga - The New Zealand Cycle Trail https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/far-north-cycleway/pdfPreview 1/5 10/7/2021 Far North Cycleway — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa The Far North Cycleway starts from the lighthouse at Cape Reinga, one of the northernmost points in the North Island. From the Cape, there are views out over the convergence of the Tasman Sea and the Pacic Ocean. The ride heads south for an hour on the only road before turning onto Ninety Mile Beach and continuing down the coast to Ahipara. From Ahipara, a sealed road heads inland across the countryside to the Hokianga Harbour. The main town of Kaitaia is 14 km northeast off the trail. Ahipara, Kohukohu and Rawene along the route offer a range of accommodation and food options. Kohukohu and Rawene also have galleries and historic sites. Broadwood has a general store, which is closed on Sundays. Waipapakauri, a few kilometres inland from Ninety Mile Beach, provides basic food options and Holiday Park accommodation. Acknowledgement: The information for this write-up is from Classic New Zealand Cycle Trails by the Kennett Brothers. https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/far-north-cycleway/pdfPreview 2/5 10/7/2021 Far North Cycleway — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Conditions: Cape Reinga is 113km from Kaitaia via Highway 1. To bus up to Cape Reinga, contact Harrisons Cape Runner Tours on Ph: 09 408 1033. The Cape Reinga lighthouse, built in 1941, includes interpretation panels and toilets but no other facilities. Reinga is Maori for ‘underworld’. Maori believe that the spirits of the dead depart for the underworld from Cape Reinga. Food isn’t sold or allowed to be eaten at Cape Reinga as a sign of respect for the spiritual importance of the site. Kaitaia, 14 km northeast of the trail, is the nearest main town, with banks, accommodation, supermarkets, etc. Waitiki Landing has the northernmost shop in the country as well as a petrol station and holiday park. Tourist buses travel along Ninety Mile Beach daily. The beach is best ridden at low tide. The tide times are printed in every edition of local newspaper the Northland Age, or check at the Kaitaia i-SITE Ph: 09 408 9450. A car ferry crosses the Hokianga Harbour between Rawene and Kohukohu. It runs every 45 minutes. Riding surface: 50% solid sand, 50% sealed road https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/far-north-cycleway/pdfPreview 3/5 10/7/2021 Far North Cycleway — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa How to get here From Cape Reinga, cycle down Highway 1 for 15.6 km, then turn west at Te Paki. Continue down Kauaeparaoa Stream (also called Te Paki Stream) to the northern end of Ninety Mile Beach. From there, cycle 80km south to Ahipara. Ahipara is the rst and only place beside the beach that has shops. It is a long way, but at low tide, the beach surface is hard, smooth and fast riding with a tailwind. The only soft sand occurs where streams ow across the beach. Wash your bike of salt and sand at Ahipara. Head out of Ahipara on Foreshore then Roma roads. Turn right at the Kaitaia-Awaroa Road T- intersection. At Herekino, turn left to continue following the Kaitaia-Awaroa Road. The village of Broadwood lies along this road about 35 km from Ahipara. It has a general store. From Broadwood, it is 30km, including a 2km ferry trip, to Rawene, via Broadwood then Kohukohu roads. The ferry terminal to Rawene is 4km south along the coast from Kohukohu. The ferry runs several times a day. It charges a minimal fee ($2 in 2011) for the 15-minute trip across the Hokianga Harbour to Rawene. https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/far-north-cycleway/pdfPreview 4/5 10/7/2021 Far North Cycleway — NZ Walking Access Commission Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa Track Elevation and Map Page last updated: Sep 8, 2020, 3:41 PM https://www.walkingaccess.govt.nz/track/far-north-cycleway/pdfPreview 5/5.