Heading back to one of my all time favourites, the Far North! 90 Mile Beach, awesome harbour ferries, cool things to see and endless gravel roads - it's pretty awesome!
Once you're off the ferry at Rawene wharf, this gravel road makes a tidy little run that skips a stretch of seal and sets you up for tracks heading further north. It winds through native bush and farmland, quiet and bush-fringed most of the way.
Expect a remote, narrow gravel route. Much of it threads through native bush, with the rest opening out into rural country. There's a fair bit of variety in the road's character along the way, but the driving stays easy throughout, so it suits a relaxed, scenic detour off the sealed highways.
Well rated by those who've driven it, and a solid choice if you're piecing together a northern Northland route and prefer gravel under your wheels.
Crossing the Takahue Saddle through the Raetea Forest, this disused paper road once linked Takahue in the north with Broadwood in the south. A hall and church at either end hint at its past, and the bush setting gives up some cool views along the way.
It starts as gravel at both ends, but coming from the south it soon narrows and gets rough. There's a water hole with a solid base before the Reremapere Stream crossing, which can be deep, steep and slippery, so carry plenty of momentum for the climb that follows straight after. Past that, expect slips, holes, steep drops, slippery clay, loose rock and the odd bog hole. Travelling with a second vehicle is strongly recommended.
It's heavily overgrown the whole way, so prepare for serious bush rash and bring a saw for fallen trees. Coming in from the north can be a bit easier, though a washed-out rocky hill greets you at that end. A scenic but genuinely rough route, best left to experienced drivers in a capable rig with mud or all-terrain tyres at lower pressures and recovery gear aboard.
One of the longest continuous stretches of driveable beach in the country, running up the western edge of the Far North with the ocean on one side and the dunes on the other. Firm, hard sand most of the way, and wide-open coastal views the whole length.
The southern end is reached near Ahipara, with the proper entrance at the end of Kaka St. The northern end connects via Te Paki Stream, a tidal crossing near the big sand dunes. Best driven at low tide, when the sand is firmest and you can cover ground easily. Slow right down around other vehicles, dogs and kids who share the beach.
Ahipara has a store for food and supplies. Bring a rod if you fancy a surf cast, and there are plenty of camping spots around if you ask the locals, who are usually happy to point you in the right direction. Worth hanging about in the evening to watch the sun drop over the ocean.
The northernmost way on and off Ninety Mile Beach, up near Cape Reinga, this is a popular run that follows a shallow stream between the main road and the sand. The drive winds past some towering dunes, and plenty of people pull over for a slide down them on a body board before walking to the top for the view.
Most find it a fun, gentle stream crossing. Several have done it in 2WD when the sand's firm and there's little water about, with the deepest spots only coming up to the hubs. No snorkel needed. That said, the sand goes soft and boggy in dry spells, and the stream can rise to river-like levels after heavy rain, so check the depth before you commit. Dropping tyre pressures helps if you're worried.
It's a two-way route, so watch for oncoming traffic on the corners and travel with a bit of courtesy. Keep an eye out for the wild horses that roam the area too. A must-do on the way to or from the cape.
Right at the very top of the country, this gravel road branches north off Te Hapua Road, roughly halfway along, and runs out to the Spirits Bay (Kapowairua) DOC campsite. Spirits Bay sits a touch north of Cape Reinga, which makes this the northernmost public road and campsite in New Zealand.
Both Te Hapua and Spirits Bay roads are wide, well-groomed gravel, graded gently enough for most vehicles and even motorhomes, though they get dusty when dry.
At the end, the DOC campsite makes a peaceful coastal base, with several walking tracks nearby. It's a long way north with limited services, so come well prepared and enjoy the rare feeling of reaching the very top of the country.
Kapowairua, also known as Spirits Bay, sits at the very top of Northland near Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, reached via a gravel access track. This beachside campsite is surrounded by lush forest and sandy beaches, making it a relaxed spot to unwind and explore the great outdoors.
The bay is a beautiful swimming spot, and the river inlet beside the beach is a lovely place to chill, though there's no vehicle access onto the beach itself. Facilities are simple but well kept: non-powered tent sites, flush toilets and long drops, cold showers, and tap water that is untreated, so boil it before drinking. Roof top tents are welcome.
It's a popular spot that can get busy over the Christmas period, with fees around $18 per person per night. Bring mosquito repellent in summer, and keep an eye out for logging trucks on the narrower sections of the gravel road in.
Up at the very top of the country, this road branches off just south of Te Paki Stream Road near the head of Ninety Mile Beach. It runs out to Te Hapua, one of the most northerly settlements anywhere in New Zealand.
The road itself is generally well-formed and an easy run by 4WD standards. The country around it is open and quiet, well away from the busier coastal tracks nearby.
What sticks with you is the relaxed, rural feel of the village. Cows and horses graze freely across the lawns, wandering from one section to the next. A worthwhile detour if you're heading to or from Cape Reinga, and a glimpse of everyday life in this isolated corner.
Out on the east coast of the far north, a gravel road runs down to the carpark before you drop onto the sand. The big draw is the white-sand beach, and you can drive right along the shore.
Hook a right once you're on the sand and follow it all the way to the estuary, where the water runs clear and calm. Good spot for a swim or to pull up for breakfast with the view. It's a quiet, scenic stretch and a firm favourite with those who make the trip, with plenty rating it among the best beaches around.
The going is generally easy, but the sand can get soft, especially the section between the tide lines, so engaging 4H is a good idea. Keep an eye on the tide, as high water makes access trickier the further you go, and watch out for other people on the beach when it's busy. There's camping nearby if you want to linger.