Te Araroa trail – DAY 1

Updated:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.


Download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Add your name and email to download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Sharing is caring!

24th October

22.7 kilometers

Cape Reinga 0km to Waikoropupunoa Stream 22.7km

Getting to the start of the Te Araroa trail in New Zealand is not easy or cheap but a solution presented itself.

I arrived at Auckland airport mid afternoon. The quarantine section tried their hardest to find any hitch hiking bugs in my tent. My tent poles, tent pegs and shoes were also given the tick of approval. New Zealand has very strict quarantine laws regarding camping gear which I already knew so my equipment was cleaned prior to boarding the plane.

I exited immigration, which was a very quick and simple procedure and was greeted by Ross, a local Kiwi (that’s what new Zealanders are called – I wasn’t greeted by a flightless bird). Ross has been in contact with me on and off for several years. He offered to pick me up at the airport and take me to the start of the trail. A real trail angel.

The road trip started via a grocery store and outdoor store. With 4 days food, a local sim card for my phone and a gas canister, we were off.

Just after midnight we arrived at a campground at the most northern tip of New Zealand, Cape Rianga.

Day 1 begins. I bought way too much food, a typical rookie error that I have made at the start of every thru hike. My pack must have weighed 13kg (28lb). That’s a lot considering that my base weight minus food is 6kg (13lb).

The weather was very un New Zealand. Sunny and warm with not a breath of wind. And Cape Rianga was rather empty considering it’s a major tourist draw card being the most northern tip of the country.

Ross and I at the start of the Te Araroa trail at Cape Rianga

It was after 9am when I said my goodbye to Ross. A great guy who went a long way out of his way to help me out. I’m humbled and honoured by his assistance. Alone I made way down from the headland to the string of beaches and rocky headlands. At 10am I stopped to take my 10am photo. For the whole of this hike I will be taking a photo at 10am wherever I am on the trail. Sometimes the scenery may be uninspiring, other times I might be resting, luckily, today at 10am the view was epic.

10am
Thank you Ross for the Tim Tams

Not long after another Te Araroa trail hiker caught up to me. Jazzus, like Jesus but nothing like Jesus. We hiked together for the rest of the afternoon chatting about all things hiking.

Beaches followed by rocky headlands were our trail for the day. My ankles were sore, but not as sore as my hips which were not as sore as my back and shoulders. But it was my feet that really hurt the most. Why did I do zero hiking prior to going in a 3000km hike. My body was suffering but it’s likely that my stomach will suffer later due to the 4 ibuprofen that I took during the afternoon. This was not the gentle easy start I had planned.

Camp was right in the beach. The moon started to rise just as the sun was setting. So begins my antipodean summer.


Next – Day 2 The Beachwalk


All the tips you need to hike the Te Araroa Trail : 
Complete Guide to the Te Araroa Trail
Te Araroa Trail Resupply Guide
Te Araroa Trail Gear List
Te Araroa Trail Gear Review

Sharing is caring!

Photo of author
About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

Download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Add your name and email to download the Ultralight Hiking Gear List

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

12 thoughts on “Te Araroa trail – DAY 1”

  1. Hi Shepherd,
    Ye ha of to work you go!
    Let me know if you need a mailing address in NZ for any items i.e umbrella. Hopefully see you at Waihi Beach

    Reply
    • Hi Carolyn, I can’t promise they will all be as scenic as this but at least they will show the sometimes boring and uninspiring side of thru hiking. But mostly good side.

      Reply
  2. A gentle alternative to ibuprofen is bromelain, made from pineapples. Works well to fix inflammation and pain. Actually aids digestion rather than causes stomach pain. I just started using this a couple of months ago and it’s great. In the States, it is available at natural food stores. Have fun!

    Reply
    • Thanks Allen, I’ll have a look for bromelain. Never heard of it until now. I think I’ll be in a large town next weekend so maybe they have some.

      Reply

Leave a Comment