An early start to get to the northernmost tip of the North Island: Cape Reinga. Breathtaking vistas again, even on the way there. And sheep – mostly ewes with their lambs –  more than just a few. I believe this was the first day that sheep actually outnumbered cattle.

The walkway to the white lighthouse zigzags its way down to the South Pacific shore. Not many people had made their way there yet, thus I had the lighthouse to myself for most of the time. My knee felt fit enough to do an additional hike, the Te Paki Coastal Track, which is part of the longer Te Araroa Trail, down to Te Werahi Beach. It was the view rather than the steep climb up again that took my breath away again.

To Ninety Mile Beach

The final highlight of the day’s adventures were the Giant Sand Dunes at Ninety Mile Beach, Tasman Sea. And no, I did not surf down any of the dunes. Walking in the sand was quite enough excitement for me.