No, all the tours start at Kaitaia and return in the late afternoon. There is plenty of time to walk out to the lighthouse on these trips and the BBQ on the beach before you get there is nice. We spoke to several people who drove up and back and it is a tiring trip so have a day off and see the scenery and learn a bit about the area as the guides are very knowledgeable. Although dune surfing is on offer we just watched! The trips are reasonably priced and good value for money.

This ninety miles beach literally is a "highway" where cars can run (allowed) up to 100km/h. Probably it is unwise to let the dog free running and playing without leash.

ciao, cosa cerchi?

Yes, you can. There is coverage for emergency calls if something happens and you need help, like your vehicle gets stuck but as long as you take note of tides. Low tide is the safest ( only!) time to attempt it, also greatest probability of other travelers as well. Sand is really soft at the top and was doable on the bike but would've been easier at low tide, we rode two up on KLR 650 at high tide and had to stop for a bit due to engine temp getting high. Exiting is an issue but if you have done soft sand before its pretty much the same everywhere. Just make sure you tell someone when you're doing it and when you expect to complete it so you're expected at a certain time just for the safety aspect.

Absolutely. The beach is only usable for a car when low tide, just be careful of soft sand. The beach has few access roads so make sure of your exit or just drive back the same way after visiting beach. Also consider stopping at dunes for sandboarding if you have kids or you feel like something different. You can do 90 mile on way up or down depending on tide. Either way all up return can be done 8 hrs for good enough to maybe 10 hrs if you plan on spending extra time at sandboarding. But 8 will be good.

We did a day tour up to the cape but that bus was 4x4. As you exit the beach up the top you need to literally drive up along a creek for some kilometres. Not sure how a camper would cope!?

From Auckland to Kaitaia it is aprox 4.5 hours.Once at Kaitaia there are plenty of bus company's that go up 90 mile beach to the Cape.