Pandora Track
Track category
Walking track
Time:
2 hr
Distance:
6 km
Description
Pandora, a beautiful sandy beach
From Cape Reinga Road, the track follows an old vehicle track through low manuka shrub leading you to Pandora, a beautiful sandy bay.
After about 30 minutes, a 2 km, 40-minute side track leads from Cape Reinga Road to Kauri Bush, a remnant of kauri forest that once covered the Far North. The detour will take you about 1 hour 30 minutes return.
Another side track, a further 1 km up the road to the right, leads up to Te Paki trig - the highest point in the area. On your way to the summit you can get great views to Spirits Bay / Kapowairua and on a clear day you can see North Cape.
A further 5 minutes along the track you reach the junction with Darkies Ridge. From here you can walk to Pandora or carry on to Tapotupotu Bay.
Getting there
Te Paki is located in the Far North of the North Island, New Zealand, approximately 60 km north of Kaitaia. Just follow State Highway 1 north.
From Te Paki onwards, follow Cape Reinga Road. Cape Reinga Road is an unsealed road and gets very busy over the summer months. Please drive slowly and take extra caution.
You can access Pandora only by foot via the Cape Reinga Coastal Walkway or from the Cape Reinga Road, which follows on from SH 1.
Activities
Mountain biking and cycling
The 4WD standard road to Pandora is suitable for walking and mountain biking.
Plan and prepare
Trampers need to be fit and self sufficient. Carry water as streams along the way can dry up over summer. Ensure your tent is mosquito proof.
Guides and commercial tourism providers