Family-friendly Tours
Day Tours
What will you see and do, and where does the tour go?
Travel through Northland’s Far North with commentary from your driver-guide. At Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga, walk towards the lighthouse and look out over the waters where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. The headland has deep significance in Māori tradition as the place from which spirits depart for their ancestral homeland. Learn more about the area in the Cape Reinga guide.
Depending on tides, weather and access, the journey may also include:
- A coach drive along Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe Ninety Mile Beach.
- Time at the Te Paki dunes to try sandboarding.
- Breaks at Kā Uri in Awanui, or Taipa if Kā Uri is unavailable.
- A picnic lunch stop chosen by the driver.
The beach drive and sandboarding are planned highlights, but neither is guaranteed. The direction of travel along Ninety Mile Beach can also change with the tide.
Where does the coach stop, and how long do you spend at Cape Reinga?
The main destination stop is Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga, where the operator allows approximately one hour. That gives you time to walk to the lighthouse and take in the coastal views before returning to the coach. The path is suitable for children and buggies, although it has steep sections that may limit wheelchair access.
The itinerary also allows a morning comfort break, a picnic lunch break and a shorter afternoon stop. When conditions permit, there is approximately 45 minutes for the dunes and beach. Places described along the route are not necessarily places where the coach stops; this is a full day of travel with selected stops.
Where does the tour depart, and when does it return?
The principal departure is from Paihia between 7.00am and 7.30am. Pickups are also offered from Kerikeri, Mangonui, Taipa and Awanui, at the indicative times in the table. Check in at least 15 minutes before your confirmed departure. If joining at Mangonui, Taipa or Awanui, confirm your pickup time with the operator as instructed when booking.
The tour operates daily from September to May, although selected dates in September and May are excluded. From June to August, it runs on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Allow the full day and avoid arranging a closely timed evening connection, as the return can vary with road and tide conditions.
Is lunch included, and is the tour suitable for families?
A picnic lunch is included. Confirm your lunch selection when booking, particularly if you have dietary requirements. The driver chooses the lunch location on the day. Morning and afternoon comfort stops are part of the itinerary; any additional food or drinks you buy there are separate from the included picnic.
Families are welcome. Child fares apply to ages 5–15, and children under five travel free. Sandboarding is not suitable for children under eight; younger children can still join the coach tour and visit Cape Reinga. Consider the length of the day and the amount of coach travel when planning with younger children. For another Northland option, compare the Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach small-group tour.
What happens when weather or tides affect the route?
The driver may change the route or the order of stops to suit tides, weather and road conditions. Driving on Ninety Mile Beach and sandboarding are conditional, so you should book for the Cape Reinga journey as a whole rather than rely on either activity taking place. The cape itself is exposed and can be windy; bring a layer for the lighthouse walk even when Paihia feels warm.
- Return coach travel from Paihia
- Experienced driver-guide
- Commentary about Far North history, culture and landscapes
- Visit to Te Rerenga Wairua Cape Reinga
- Travel along Ninety Mile Beach when conditions allow
- Sandboarding when conditions permit
- Picnic lunch
- Selected scenic and comfort stops
- Adults: 16 years and older
- Children: 5 - 15 years
- Infants 0-4 years: Free of charge
- More than 24 hours before departure: Full refund**
- Within 24 hours: No refund
**Any refund approved under our terms and conditions will be subject to a 5% admin & processing fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount. Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.
