From Cape Reinga, the track heads towards the West Coast, leading you down past steep cliffs and over rocks to the long, sweeping Te Werahi Beach.  Note: You are best to set off at a lowish tide to make the rock scrambling and stream crossing safer & easier. Carry enough water for your first day.
Beyond this beach, you will experience gorgeous peach-coloured dunes, unusual dune grasses, and views of Cape Maria Van Diemen and Motuopao Island. You follow orange marker posts over Herangi Hill, pass the turnoff to Cape Maria Van Diemen and along cliff tops of flax and manuka scrublands, before dropping down to Twilight Beach. Exit the south end of Twilight Beach on the 4WD track next to the orange marker.
The track climbs up and over Scotts Point then drops down to Ninety Mile beach, crossing a swamp via a boardwalk and down a steep set of steps.
(While passing over Scott Pt, you will need to watch carefully for a quad motorbike track which veers right off the main 4WD track. The marker may be very difficult to see.  Note: If you come to a farm gate and a paddock, you will need to double back about 10 minutes, as you have gone the wrong way).
Follow Ninety Mile Beach south for approximately an hour until you come to Te Paki Stream mouth. This is a popular vehicle entrance/exit to the beach so be prepared for cars and tourist buses.
(From the stream mouth, it is 1 hour upstream to the road should you wish to exit the beach here).