Picture a landscape of rolling sand hills 150 meters tall. Now, imagine they appear amid hundreds of acres of farmland. This is the view you’ll get of the Te Paki Sand Dunes in Northland, New Zealand.
The heaping mounds are next to Lake Ngakaketa and highlight the region’s extreme ruggedness, with millions of tiny granules whipping around from the menacing winds. It’s quite the contrast from the tropical fruit farms and roaming sheep you’ll see on the drive up.
The dunes rest on the most northern part of New Zealand’s famous 90-mile beach. A little further north is Cape Reinga, which has an iconic lighthouse and historical significance.
A popular tourist attraction among adventure seekers, the Te Paki Sand Dunes are an alternative to the coast’s rolling waves. Surfing is the name of the game here, just like in the country’s popular beach towns of Raglan and Ahipara. Instead of skimming through barrels, you’re bombing down mountains of sand.
The true name of the sport is sandboarding, and while in some countries it might resemble snowboarding more, here it’s like a mix of sledding and boogie boarding. That’s probably because you’re lying on a bodyboard instead of strapped in at the ankles while flying downhill. Whatever you want to call it, at the end of the day it’s a cracking good time.
Sandboard Hire | On the road up, you’ll see multiple hanging signs that say “Sand Boards for Hire.” Just stop into one of those places to rent a board for the day. Most places I saw were advertising for $10. Temper your expectations, most of the boards are in fair conditions.
SANDBOARDING SAFETY
There are some fairly steep and lengthy dunes here, so it’s not uncommon to see injuries while sandboarding. You’re also quite far from the nearest emergency services station, so make sure to be cautious when you head down the hills.
Safety measures to go by.
– Trace your route beforehand to avoid rocks and bumps
– Begin on the smaller slopes and work your way up
– Start your run slowly
– Never let your speed get out of hand
– Make sure your route doesn’t end in the water or carpark
ENTERING THE TE PAKI SAND DUNES
The entrance to the Te Paki Sand Dunes has the look of a mini oasis from North Africa. With a small river at the base of the dunes and green vegetation everywhere, it feels like a little sanctuary. You might have to cross the shallow waterway to reach the steep hills but have no fear, the water is ankle-deep and slow-moving most of the year.
I went on and on early about sandboarding being the main attraction. However, that’s a bit of a lie, the real beauty of the dunes is their breathtaking scenery and overwhelming vastness. Taking a stroll up is just as magical, with panoramic views of the ferocious Tasman Sea waiting at the top. The white ripples of the waves and never-ending sand combine for a magnificent sight.
For Fun | Keep your shoes off when you trek up, there’s something wild and powerful to conquering the hike barefoot. There’s also I very high possibility your shoes will fill with sand.
You can visit Te Paki at almost any time of the year. Even when the wind picks up, the whole area becomes mesmerizing. The sand swirls and flows along the hills, making an amazing spectacle. I was here in the middle of winter and despite a crisp breeze, that occasionally turned to a chilly gust of wind, I was more than fine in jeans and a t-shirt.
Most people do Te Paki Sand Dunes as a stop on the way to Cape Reinga or as part of a larger road trip. If you’re looking for more ideas to add to a Northland itinerary check out my Cape Reinga Road Trip article.
Tours | I found throughout my travels in the Northland, that most people have a do-it-yourself type approach to travel. So, you’ll be hard-pressed to find tours running directly to the dunes in New Zealand. If you don’t have a car, you’re best bet is to join a tour like this Far North New Zealand Tour that combines Te Paki with Cape Reinga and other highlights.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
There isn’t much going on around the giant sand dunes, so make sure you have everything you need for a day trip beforehand.
Here are a few tips for your visit:
- Bring a pair of sunglasses and some sunscreen. The New Zealand sun hits much differently than anywhere else in the world.
- Bring a windbreaker or a sweatshirt in just in case there’s a cold wind coming from the Tasman Sea.
- There won’t be many pit stops along the road, so bring plenty of food and water for an extended trip to the outdoors.
- Treat it like a beach day. Leave things in the car that you don’t want sand to get all over.
- Check the weather before you go. You won’t be able to do much if it’s raining all day. Sandboarding will be nearly impossible and the constant wind makes the water feel like pellets.
- Protect the dunes. It’s a delicate environment, so please don’t drive on the dunes or leave trash behind.
GETTING TO THE TE PAKI SAND DUNES
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