Te Paki Stream — Giant Sand Dunes and the Northern Exit off Ninety Mile Beach

Te Paki Stream is where the northern end of Ninety Mile Beach (Te Oneroa-a-Tōhē) meets the Far North’s biggest dunes. Giant sand hills rise out of the stream valley, and people haul boards up them to slide down. The stream bed is also the traditional vehicle link between the beach and Te Paki Stream Road, which runs up toward Cape Reinga. It’s the end of the line for the beach run and one of the best-known spots on the whole coast.

Treat the stream with respect. The sand is soft, the water is shallow but sneaky, and quicksand pockets swallow vehicles every season. Tourists in rentals get stuck often, and many rental agreements ban the beach altogether. Time your run around low tide, and don’t get caught on the beach with the tide coming in. Walk the line first if you’re unsure, keep momentum, and don’t stop in the wet sand. Check current tides, local conditions and any DOC or council notices before you commit. Have a recovery plan, because help can be a long way off.

Have a dirty day.

Giant dunes and a quicksand stream exit.