SECLUSION, INCREDIBLE SCENERY AND A HIDDEN OASIS
16 AUGUST 2022
The incredible view looking back the way we came from the resort we were staying at
New Zealand's Longest Driveable Beach
Stretching 106kms along the west coast of Northland, is New Zelaland's longest driveable beach - Ripiro Beach. It is rugged, full of golden sand and has some pretty awesome wildlife, such as seals! It stretches from Pouto Peninsula all the way up to Aranga Beach / Maunganui Bluff.
Funnily enough, Ripiro Beach is not just Ripiro Beach, it's made up of so many other beaches along the whole stretch. Aranga Beach is where the Maunganui Bluff is (where we visited and saw cute seal pups!!) and Baylys Beach is not too far south along the coast. All of these beaches (and more!) make up Ripiro Beach.
We got to this particular part of the beach by foot but if you wanted to drive, it's not far from Omamari Beach (although you definitely need a 4WD to get here!). We were staying at the Kai Iwi Lakes Resort and took a paper road from the resort down to the beach, it took around 40 minutes and we walked through beautiful countryside to get there! You can also bike or take 4WDs along the paper road from the resort, remembering that it is private land, so you will need to be a guest to get through the road.
Funnily enough, Ripiro Beach is not just Ripiro Beach, it's made up of so many other beaches along the whole stretch. Aranga Beach is where the Maunganui Bluff is (where we visited and saw cute seal pups!!) and Baylys Beach is not too far south along the coast. All of these beaches (and more!) make up Ripiro Beach.
We got to this particular part of the beach by foot but if you wanted to drive, it's not far from Omamari Beach (although you definitely need a 4WD to get here!). We were staying at the Kai Iwi Lakes Resort and took a paper road from the resort down to the beach, it took around 40 minutes and we walked through beautiful countryside to get there! You can also bike or take 4WDs along the paper road from the resort, remembering that it is private land, so you will need to be a guest to get through the road.
Cosmo the alpaca from the resort
Prickly Pear, Anyone?
As usual, on our walks away from the resort, we had Cosmo the alpaca see us off like a true gentleman.
We followed the paper road along the property and made our way past the forest we frequently explored. At one point we found some prickly pear cactus - such a random find! We did a quick search on whether the pears were ok to eat but there were mixed reviews... either it was delicious or it was going to poison us and we were going to die a horrible death. So we decided to just leave them there and live to see another day.
We followed the paper road along the property and made our way past the forest we frequently explored. At one point we found some prickly pear cactus - such a random find! We did a quick search on whether the pears were ok to eat but there were mixed reviews... either it was delicious or it was going to poison us and we were going to die a horrible death. So we decided to just leave them there and live to see another day.
Prickly pear cactus
Lath, Bella & Sienna heading along the paper road towards Ripiro
Paper Road
What the heck is a paper road? It's an unformed legal road that usually passes through farms or properties to access an area or feature. So in this case, Ripiro Beach.
The walk was absolutely stunning and so diverse. We passed by the forest we often explored and spent our time in awe at the rolling hills surrounding us. We think the view back towards the forest was actually better than the ocean view!
There is only one small covered part on this walk, the rest of it is all exposed and the wind can rip right through ya on cold winter days! All part of the west coast charm and as long as you're wearing something warm, it doesn't matter.
The walk was absolutely stunning and so diverse. We passed by the forest we often explored and spent our time in awe at the rolling hills surrounding us. We think the view back towards the forest was actually better than the ocean view!
There is only one small covered part on this walk, the rest of it is all exposed and the wind can rip right through ya on cold winter days! All part of the west coast charm and as long as you're wearing something warm, it doesn't matter.
At the halfway point
Walking through the edge of the forest
Beautiful view looking towards Ripiro
Just Roll With It
The view back towards the forest was incredible. It was very picturesque with the green rolling hills behind and the rough coastline ahead. Usually on a hike, the most amazing views are at the end point, but the whole hike was just beautiful.
There are a few gates to open and close on the track as you are passing through private land with cows but don’t worry – no bulls are in the paddock and the cows may follow you but they're just curious. Just watch out for the giant cow pats!
There are a few gates to open and close on the track as you are passing through private land with cows but don’t worry – no bulls are in the paddock and the cows may follow you but they're just curious. Just watch out for the giant cow pats!
Vibrant, rolling green hills
Spot the car that disappeared when we arrived - we had the whole place to ourselves!
The girls sliding down the dunes
Sandy Bums And Hungry Tums
When we reached the beach, we looked out from the top of the sand dunes and took in the view. There was a couple in a car who were leaving as we got there, so apart from the, it was isolated and we couldn't wait to explore it.
It must be a pretty busy beach because there were tyre tracks everywhere on the sand below and also up the sand dunes!
The girls had a lot of fun making their way down the dunes, sliding on their bums. We wished we had brought some cardboard with us so they could have gone down a lot faster as it was pretty steep so it would have been epic! Also the sand was pretty wet from all the rain we'd had, so I reckon if it was dry, they would have zipped down in no time. Northland has so many big sand dunes that we haven't explored yet. There are the huge dunes right up north at 90 Mile Beach that you can sand board on. We've seen videos and you can really pick up some speed!!
The girls were getting hungry, so we didn't spend too long on the dunes - time to head off for a picnic!
It must be a pretty busy beach because there were tyre tracks everywhere on the sand below and also up the sand dunes!
The girls had a lot of fun making their way down the dunes, sliding on their bums. We wished we had brought some cardboard with us so they could have gone down a lot faster as it was pretty steep so it would have been epic! Also the sand was pretty wet from all the rain we'd had, so I reckon if it was dry, they would have zipped down in no time. Northland has so many big sand dunes that we haven't explored yet. There are the huge dunes right up north at 90 Mile Beach that you can sand board on. We've seen videos and you can really pick up some speed!!
The girls were getting hungry, so we didn't spend too long on the dunes - time to head off for a picnic!
Lath looking out over Ripiro
Outstanding views looking back from Ripiro Beach
Arabella figuring out which part of the stream to jump over to get to the other side
Shipwrecks
The Kaipara Coast (where Ripiro Beach lies) has 110 confirmed shipwrecks and locals know of an extra 43. Some of the shipwreck relics can be found in the Dargaville Museum.
The first ship to be wrecked was the Aurora in 1839 and the last was a yacht in 1994 called Aosky.
The first ship to be wrecked was the Aurora in 1839 and the last was a yacht in 1994 called Aosky.
Amazing patterns in the sand
The girls playing in the stream
Take a piece of cardboard with you and slide down the dunes!
Ripiro Beach
Our shoes & socks were already soaked from the wet grass we had walked through on the farm, and after navigating our way across an outlet, they were completely soaked! I felt like I had a river in each shoe. Time for tramping boots for us all!
We saw a huge piece of driftwood a few hundred meters to the left so we decided to head down there to chill for a while.
We found a nice spot by the driftwood to set up our picnic. We know west coast beaches can have rogue waves so we sat near the cliff to eat and chill. There's something really tasty about a picnic, no matter how plain the food is! Bella wanted to make a sandcastle so her and Lath started making a moat around a sandhill, using driftwood pieces to dig it.
Once we had finished eating and creating moats, Bella and I were taking photos on the driftwood while Lath and Sienna went to check out a big flat rock near the shore line. I was filming them and saw Lath point out a wave going around the rock, surrounding them with water then he points at the next wave coming in and all I see is him grabbing Sienna, jump over the water and up the beach. At that point I realised it was a rogue wave and I yelled at Bella to grab my camera while I grabbed our backpack and we raced up the beach. Sandcastle and moat was washed away and we nearly were too...it was one big ass wave! Earlier in the day, Sienna hadn't understood why we wouldn't let her go to the shoreline by herself, but she definitely knew after that.
It's sad to see how much rubbish was up near the cliff, either from being washing up or left there by people travelling along in cars and stopping to fish or eat, it could even be from fishermen. There were buckets, ropes, netting and lots of large random plastic bits.
We saw a huge piece of driftwood a few hundred meters to the left so we decided to head down there to chill for a while.
We found a nice spot by the driftwood to set up our picnic. We know west coast beaches can have rogue waves so we sat near the cliff to eat and chill. There's something really tasty about a picnic, no matter how plain the food is! Bella wanted to make a sandcastle so her and Lath started making a moat around a sandhill, using driftwood pieces to dig it.
Once we had finished eating and creating moats, Bella and I were taking photos on the driftwood while Lath and Sienna went to check out a big flat rock near the shore line. I was filming them and saw Lath point out a wave going around the rock, surrounding them with water then he points at the next wave coming in and all I see is him grabbing Sienna, jump over the water and up the beach. At that point I realised it was a rogue wave and I yelled at Bella to grab my camera while I grabbed our backpack and we raced up the beach. Sandcastle and moat was washed away and we nearly were too...it was one big ass wave! Earlier in the day, Sienna hadn't understood why we wouldn't let her go to the shoreline by herself, but she definitely knew after that.
It's sad to see how much rubbish was up near the cliff, either from being washing up or left there by people travelling along in cars and stopping to fish or eat, it could even be from fishermen. There were buckets, ropes, netting and lots of large random plastic bits.
Looking south across Ripiro Beach
Lath & Sienna about to gap it before the big wave came in
Mini photo shoot with our mini tartan coconut!
We Found A Hidden Oasis
We were hoping to see some penguins and seals but none came to visit us. (We were lucky to see seal pups at Maunganui Bluff a few days later though!)
As we were heading back, we saw a small cove with some greenery around it so decided to check it out. The cove was surrounded by huge sand and clay hills that were starting to crumble. We climbed over a sand bank and what we saw next was epic - an oasis!
It really did look like an oasis with brighter sand, vivid green patches of grass and a waterfall. Ok, so there was no water there at the time, but you could see where it falls!
As we were heading back, we saw a small cove with some greenery around it so decided to check it out. The cove was surrounded by huge sand and clay hills that were starting to crumble. We climbed over a sand bank and what we saw next was epic - an oasis!
It really did look like an oasis with brighter sand, vivid green patches of grass and a waterfall. Ok, so there was no water there at the time, but you could see where it falls!
Bells heading over to the hidden oasis
Wild west coast oasis
The vibrant greenery was a stark contrast against the clay and sand
Time To Head Home
After a super fun afternoon, we were all getting a bit tired and hungry from exploring and we saw the clouds rolling in. It was a bit risky to do the walk in the first place the weather report had said it was going to absolutely pour down but because we had limited time left at Kai Iwi Lakes, we knew we had to take every opportunity we could get.
It was absolutely perfect timing because we made it back home JUST in time for the rain to pour down!
It was absolutely perfect timing because we made it back home JUST in time for the rain to pour down!
Lath and Sienna heading back across the rocks
Lath having a rest with the perfect backdrop
Know Before You Go
- Ripiro Beach is a legal road, so beware of passing cars and motorbikes!
- This west coast beach can have rogue waves coming up and sweep the beach, so don't let your kids play by the water themselves
- Swimming isn't recommend at this beach as it can be really rough and the rips can be deadly
- There are no toilet stops on the beach unless you head back to the entries/exits
- Sandboarding the dunes can be a lot of fun, so bring a boogie board or cardboard!
Mappy McMap Face
Getting There
For public access, you can get onto the beach from Baylys Beach, Aranga Beach (where Maunganui Bluff is) and Omamiri Beach. You will need to either walk, go by 4x4 or dune buggy. Remember that it is a legal road, so all the road rules apply.
For private access to this exact part, you will need to be a guest at the Kai Iwi Lakes Resort. There is a paper road to follow from the resort.
For private access to this exact part, you will need to be a guest at the Kai Iwi Lakes Resort. There is a paper road to follow from the resort.
Conclusion
As amazing as the coastline was, my favourite landscape was actually the farmland we had walked through to get to the beach. So you'll get the best of both worlds on the way there and the way back. If you're lucky enough to stay at the Kai Iwi Lakes Resort then you have to check out this track to head to the beach!
Gallery of Ripiro Beach
Check out the rest of the awesomeness that didn't make it to the main blog but deserves to be shown.
More to do in Northland
MAUNGANUI BLUFF
NORTHLAND A rugged and wild west coast beach you can drive your 4x4 on and see seals, collect mussels and explore rock pools.
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BAYLYS BEACH
NORTHLAND If you like isolated areas and the rugged west coast, then Baylys is the right place for you. Explore the cliffs and black sand patterns.
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KAI IWI LAKES
NORTHLAND These are the clearest lakes we have seen in the North Island. Perfect place to relax in summer or take the boat out and catch some trout.
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