The far north- Cape Reinga

Since chichi was having none of the beach, we drove by the gravel roads towards Cape Reinga, pretty much, the end of the world as far as New Zealand is concerned! Words cannot describe the feeling of isolation that you get looking beyond into the point where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet! The water is crazy at the point where the two currents meet, reaching 10 m of height during storms, apparently! There’s pretty much nothing but open sea beyond this point, with the exception of the “Three Kings”, a small, uncharted, trio of islands.

Viewtiful sceneries and one of the oldest lighthouses in NZ, as well as a little signpost to remind you that you are 18000 kms away from good ol’ London!



We stayed at a camping near there that night and I swear I must have seen about 10 shooting stars. The sky was absolutely clear and the lack of towns nearby meant you could see all the start and the milky way! I discovered the South Chross (La Cruz del Sur) which helps the sailors find their way south, so the Southern Hemisphere equivalent to the Big Dipper.

We camped out and met other travellers and had a wicked bonfire with plenty of music and good times (there were 4 guitars there!)


The next day we went tramping near Cape Reinga to check out some of the beaches, and saw some crazy cliffs! I guess being extremely exposed to the seas takes it’s toll!

And then we headed over to the giant sand dunes! Absolutely crazy change of scenery, from being in the seaside (all green and rocky) to pretty much being in the desert! I tell you, it’s crazy how big the dunes are! Great fun to run around in and jump off some pretty steep dunes, all great fun!


Can you see the guys? The dunes are huuuge!!

And that is pretty much it! We then swiftly made our way back to Auckland (except when going uphill, when chichi was choking!) and here I am, tho I tell you, watching Spain lose to France this morning makes me wish I’d stayed at the end of the world!