Kai Iwi Lakes Coastal Track

As much as it’s near-impossible to peel yourself away from Kai Iwi Lakes, walk across farmland to Ripiro Beach and discover many surprising rewards.

Where is it?

Located 32 minutes north from Dargaville on the west coast of Northland.

Terrain

Easy walking along expansive farmland to Ripiro Beach, moderately harder should you continue to Aranga Beach.

Need to Know

NO DOGS

TIME & DISTANCE: 30min; 2km one way with the option to continue for a further 1hr 30min; 8.2km one way

FITNESS: Basic fitness required

Track Overview

Start out at Kai Iwi Lakes Rd and follow the exposed coastal track across expansive farmland. Having jumped a few stiles and greeted various livestock en route, you’ll come across the Ripiro Beach lookout.

New Zealand’s longest drivable beach is not the famed Ninety Mile Beach, butinstead, remote Ripiro Beach, and at 106km, it is 18km longer than its Ninety Mile rival. The coastal track leads all the way to this near-empty stretch of sand and languid ambles before golden dunes await.

From here, continue north along Ripiro Beach to Aranga Beach Rd (a further 1hr 30min) and step on to the windswept sands of Aranga Beach. Alternatively, you can return via the track you’ve just come and jump back into the water at Kai Iwi Lakes.

Kai Iwi Lakes

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Northland’s western coastline is home to Kai Iwi Lakes, a trio of freshwater lakes fringed by ice-white beaches. The largest lake boasts tropical-coloured water, two campgrounds and sand more akin to a Caribbean island. On the east coast, you’ll also find the equally impressive Tāne Moana. As the region’s largest remaining kauri tree, this chap’s over 1000 years old with an 11m circumference. A 40-minute walk will bring you to the foot of his almighty trunk. Carry on for another 90 minutes to reach the sparkling beach at Matapōuri Bay.

Majestic Giant Tāne Mahuga

Tāne Mahuta, Waipōua Forest

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Waipōua Forest is the domain of New Zealand’s largest living kauri tree, Tāne Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. This imposing giant has a 13.77m girth, a trunk height of 17.68m and a total height of 51.5m. Waipōua, plus the adjoining forests of Mataraua and Waimā, make up the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland. Tāne Mahuta’s nearest challenger is Te Matua Ngahere, ‘Father of the Forest’.

Please help protect our kauri trees from incurable Kauri Dieback Disease by keeping to the tracks, staying away from kauri roots and cleaning your gear before and after visiting. You can check which tracks are open at www.doc.govt.nz

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz/Hotels