A lighthouse at Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northernmost accessible point, guards the merging waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

From the promontory there are panoramic views of the coast, which sweeps away in a combination of cliffs and sand-dunes. This is the departure point for the spirits of the Maori people returning to their legendary home of "Hawaiki." Part of the thrill of a visit to Cape Reinga is the journey there. It is 116km north of Kaitaia and 220km from Paihia, where most bus journeys depart. You can drive yourself, but one-day bus tours are popular as some include a 60km stretch along the misnamed Ninety Mile Beach on the western side of the peninsula. Rental vehicles are forbidden on this beach. Access at the northern end, connecting the beach with the road to the Cape, is via a stream-bed with quicksand and buses are the only vehicles permitted to cross here. Tours also stop at the Wagener Museum at Houhora, where there is a large collection of Victorian items and Maori exhibits. Next door is the Subritzky Homestead, an early pioneer house. You can mail a postcard from Cape Reinga, but there are few other facilities here to detract from the spectacular setting. More amenities are located 18km south at Waitiki Landing. Cape Reinga, it should be noted, is not in fact the most northerly point of New Zealand - that honor belongs to North Cape to the east - but it is as far north as you can easily get to, and has the advantage of being next to Ninety Mile Beach.