Today we took a bus tour up to Cape Reinga, the most northerly point of NZ. Our first stop was at the Ancient Kauri Kingdom. This is famous for its giant staircase carved out of a kauri log extracted from a nearby swamp back in 1994 and is the largest of its kind.
We then continued north on state highway 1, the last 20 km of which are still unsealed (gradually being sealed from the northern point). From the car park area we had a stunning view out over Te Werahi beach and Cape Maria van Diemen.
We then walked down to Cape Reinga lighthouse which is still operational, though fully automated now.
In Maori legend, the furthest tip (where there is no public access) is known as Te Rerenga Wairua and is a very spiritual place for Maori. They believe that spirits of the dead travel to the underworld by climbing down the roots of the pohutukawa tree.
The Cape is also where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet - waves coming from different directions in what is called Columbia Bank. The currents caused here are very dangerous to any nearby ships.
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