A large chunk of the land around Cape Reinga is part of the Te Paki Recreation Reserves managed by DOC. It’s public land with free access; leave the gates as you found them and don’t disturb the animals. There are 7 sq km of giant sand dunes on either side of the mouth of Te Paki Stream. For those wishing to clamber up and toboggan back down, you can rent sandboards ($15) from local outfits signposted en route or from a caravan at the car park (during summer only).

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Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes
Top choice in The Far North
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Cape Reinga
8.46 MILES
This dramatic headland is where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, swirling and breaking together into waves up to 10m high in stormy…