Te Araroa – Day 1

Cape Reinga to Beach Camp

12.4 miles

Mile 12.4

Getting to the start of the trail at the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island was an adventure in itself. After two full days of busses and airplanes I made my way from Puerto Natales in southern Chile to Auckland.

From the airport I hopped on a bus heading to central Auckland where I picked up my resupply at Countdown, one of the grocery store chains here. They had an awesome selection of protein bars, so I was a happy camper.

Next, I swung by a post office to mail a bounce box stuffed with cold weather gear I won’t need until the South Island.

Chores done, I headed to the bus terminal, where I boarded a bus that took me up north to the town of Kerikeri. From here I hitched the rest of the way up to Cape Reinga. It took me two days to hitch the 200 miles, but by 2:00 PM on New Year’s Eve I’d made it.

From the lighthouse on Cape Reinga the trail brought me down to the beach where I walked for a few miles before heading back up into the hills.

The trail wandered up and down the hills for a bit before plunging back down to the 90 Mile Beach.

I walked along the beach for a couple more hours before setting up camp near a stream that flowed into the ocean. From my tent I enjoyed an epic sunset before falling asleep.

Cheers!