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Hiking

Cape Reinga lighthouse walk: what to expect at the northern headland

ReGear

Plan Cape Reinga’s lighthouse walk: about 1.6 km return, coastal views, sacred-site etiquette, steep sections, road access and aerial maps.

The paved headland path and lighthouse at Cape Reinga above the sea.

The lighthouse walk at Te Rerenga Wairua / Cape Reinga is short, but the sea views feel immense. The headland is also a deeply significant place for Māori, so a little planning helps you visit respectfully.

On this page: Quick facts · Start · Maps · Route · What to bring

Quick facts

  • 800 m one way; about 1.6 km return.
  • Allow around 20 minutes walking plus time at the viewpoints.
  • Paved path with steep sections; suitable for buggies, but not all wheelchairs.
  • No dogs or other pets. No food at the cape; drinking water is fine.

Getting to the start

Follow State Highway 1 north from Kaitaia. The cape is about 111 km from town and 20 km beyond Waitiki Landing. The car-park gates close from 8.30 pm to 7 am.

Location and route maps

Orange highlights show DOC’s recorded track over real aerial imagery. Open a map for a closer look.

Cape Reinga location relative to Kaitaia on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Cape Reinga mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

DOC track information and official map

What the walk is like

  1. Join the paved path from the car park.
  2. Follow the headland downhill towards the lighthouse, stopping at the viewing areas.
  3. Look out towards Cape Maria van Diemen and Motuopao Island, and across the meeting seas.
  4. Return uphill along the same path.

Effort and conditions

Allow for the climb back and the exposed wind. The path has steep sections and a narrow bollard turn: DOC gives an 860 mm gap, which matters for some mobility equipment. Stay on the path and behind barriers.

What I would bring

I would carry water and a windproof layer, wear shoes with grip and keep a hat secure. Eat before arriving or at Tapotupotu, a 5–10 minute drive away on gravel, where there are toilets.

Planning your return

Leave enough time for the drive south and keep well clear of the gate closing time. There are no rubbish bins or camping facilities at the cape. Take rubbish away and check DOC notices before making the trip.

  • Rainbow Falls: A short waterfall outing near Kerikeri for another stop on a Northland trip.
  • Trounson Kauri Park: A kauri-forest loop on the west-coast side of Northland, with very different scenery.

For kit planning, see our New Zealand day-walk gear guide.

Sources and photo credits

Researched trail guide using DOC information, checked 2 October 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Cape Reinga (Lighthouse) and Columbia Bank.jpg — Ulrich Lange, Bochum, Germany. CC BY 3.0. Resized for display.