Take highway no.1 up to Brynderwyn (pass through Helensville, Warkworth, Wellsford) and then change to highway no.12. On the way from Dargaville to Hokianga you should stop to visit Te Matua Ngahere – the father of the forest. There are several signs to the Kauri walks – you can not miss it! This Kauri tree is believed of being the oldest (4000 years) and having the widest girth of any Kauri tree in NZ.

Further north, just shortly after Pakia Hill (good lookout) and 2 km west of Omapere, Signal Station Rd leads to the South Head of Hokianga Harbour. From the car park it is just a five minute walk to the Signal Station Point, which overlooks the harbour entrance and the massive sand dunes of North Head.

Then, take a ferry from Rawene to Kohukohu (goes all 30 min, about $20 for one car with four passengers) and then drive on to Ahipara. There, at the beginning of 90 Mile Beach you will find a great Backpacker called the “Endless Summer Lodge” (09 4094181).

Before leaving, check for the low tide, if you want to drive on 90 Mile beach. It is accessible 2 hours before and after low tide. Depending on that time, organize this special drive for the way to Cape Reinga or back. The safe time for us was about 3.30pm, so we decided for the beach on our way back.

Oki, get to Kaitaia, check your petrol and then hit highway no.1F to Cape Reinga. Remember that the last 20 km up to Cape Reinga lighthouse is gravel road (still not too bad)!

Contrary to popular belief, Cape Reinga is not the northern tip of NZ, but standing there, looking out over where South Pacific Ocean and Tasmanian Sea converge, is definitely a special feeling. Also the beaches around Cape Reinga are well worth a visit!

When driving back the gravel road you will see a sign leading to Te Paki Stream, with giant sand dunes on either side (you can ride on with boards).

You can only get access to 90 mile beach by driving through Te Paki Stream, but watch out for quick sand and keep moving!!!

The beach “road” is only for well prepared vehicles (like mine J - no rental cars!!!!), since quite often cars have hit soft sand or have been swallowed by the tides. It is about 1 hour of great fun and especially now in off-season you might be the only ones there! There are three access ways to get off, but I must admit that we were only able to find the last one, which is kind of a concrete ramp.

If you wanna enjoy a good Italian dinner, book at “Kahoe Farms Hostel” (09 405 1804). Just let Stefano know which kind of pasta, salad or pizza you wanna have and you will be surprised – for me it was the best I ever had in NZ. He is also baking bread, if you wanna have some for breakfast and doing Cappuccino, Coffee …..

Take some time to enjoy this great place with mini-pigs, donkeys …. and especially, very friendly hosts. The walks around there are beautiful, do some canoeing – ask Stefano! He can also tell you about the special Scenic Route when going back to Auckland (cannot remember it exactly anymore, sorry – leave Kahoe Farms Hostel, you will come to a bridge, go left and the next possible road right again) with great views! On your way down to Auckland take a stop at Paihia (still on highway 10) and also Pakiri Beach (great for surfing), close to Goat Island at the East coast.