Life is at the beach this NZ summer
Records are being set, temperatures are soaring and sunscreen sales are up – all good signs that New Zealand’s summer has been a cracker so far.
With the heat, and the need to cool off, beaches everywhere have been a chosen place to spend time and have fun.
New Zealand has 15,000 kilometres of pristine and beautiful stretches of sand; that’s just over three metres of beach for every person in the country!
Many are remote, some are in cities and others have starred in Hollywood.
There are surf beaches, ones with black sand, pebbles, rock pools and caves, and others with just fine sand for building castles.
There is a beach for everyone in New Zealand.
To get a taste of life cat the beach this summer a good way is to find an expert in cheap car rentals, hire a vehicle for you and your family or friends, and drive to the edges of New Zealand.
And finding sun, sand and sea couldn’t be easier as you are never more than 100 kilometres from the coast, anywhere in the country.
But if you need some advice, travel expert Expedia has come up with its recommended beach destinations. We take you on a tour of some of these below, and we’ve added a few of our own, starting in Auckland:
Mission Bay, Auckland:
great for a day of lounging or a quicker visit, this busy but safe beach is just a short drive east of Downtown along the coast road, Tamaki Drive. With a grassy reserve it’s full of activity from people roller blading to playing volley-ball and soccer, or just having fun on the sand. It also has an array of water sports on offer, such as paddle boarding and sailing. It’s billed as Auckland’s favourite beachside destination and comes complete with lively bars, cafés and restaurants, and even a boutique cinema.
Piha, West Coast, Auckland:
a majestic, black sand surfer’s paradise, once featured in the famous Kiwi movie The Piano. Just a 40 minute drive from Auckland City, its dramatic scenery is a must-see for anyone. If swimming or surfing, make sure you stay in the lifeguard patrolled area and take your jandals (flip-flops), or sandals, as the black sand heats up in the sun!
Tawharanui, Rodney District:
an hour and 20 minutes north of Auckland, near the trendy market town of Matakana, this is a stunning threesome of beaches all offering boogie boarding surf, rock pools, caves and stunning coastal walks. A great family day out and as it’s a national park there’s not a building in sight!
Ninety Mile Beach, Northland:
in a twist of history the beach is only 55 miles long but comes with dunes steep enough to body board down. While technically a highway, the best way to enjoy this jewel is to take a bus tour from Kaitaia, along the wide strand and to Cape Reinga, the northern most point of the country, as rental car companies don’t allow their vehicles to be driven on the sand for safety reasons. This is a chance for you to take a break from driving and enjoy a very special day out visiting the top of New Zealand.
Hot Water Beach, Coromandel:
almost surreal, it is what it says it is. Dig down near the rocky point, where all the other people are digging, and you’ll find a hot water natural spring! Create your own pool, lie down and relax. Remember to take a good spade and be prepared to share your hand-made spa. The best time to visit is two hours either side of low-tide. Quite bizarre and well worth it.
Cathedral Cove, Coromandel:
a short drive north from Hot Water Beach, plus a thirty minute walk through native bush, is this stunning beach with sandstone cliffs, and a rocky outcrop shaped like a Cathedral. Peaceful and serene, it is one of the most photographed beaches in New Zealand. Visit and you will see why. And if you don’t want to walk you can always go by kayak, or boat.
Manu Bay, Raglan:
another surfer’s mecca, Manu Bay, near the artsy town of Raglan on the West coast just 90 minutes south of Auckland has the longest, most accessible and consistent left hand break wave in the world. Known to surfers everywhere, catch a good wave and you can actually surf for up to two kilometres, as long as you’re prepared to swim back to have another go!
Wainui and Makorori Beaches, Gisborne, East Cape:
next to each other, there’s a lot of ocean between these beaches and South America making them a haven for those who seek great surf and the life that goes with it.
Waimarama Beach, Hawkes Bay:
a quiet and hidden gem popular with locals just twenty minutes from Havelock North on the east coast of the North Island. This long strand has a deep low tide that creates wonderful warm swimming on the incoming flow and is a safe family beach.
Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson:
at the northern tip of the South Island, the Abel Tasman is full of picturesque beaches and bays only accessible on foot or by kayak. Picture postcard white sand and turquoise water lapping against native bush and limestone cliffs make this a treasure trove with so many beaches you lose count.
(Remember, life is always better at the beach when you follow the swim safe guidelines and protect yourself by following sun safety advice.)
Travel around New Zealand’s coast and you are bound to end up with some beach favourites of your own.
And it’s very affordable if you rent a car from a company like New Zealand Discount Car Rentals.
Based at Auckland International Airport its prices start at $14.95 per day for a short term rental and could be as low as $9.95 a day for a minimum of 40 days. You can visit its website here to get a quote for a car and rental period that suits your plans.
Of all the cheap car rentals close to Auckland International Airport, you won’t find a better value one. It has a large fleet of high quality vehicles from small hatchbacks to people movers and executive cars and you will always be welcomed with a friendly Kiwi smile and fantastic service.
If you are a group, and splitting costs, this has to be the cheapest way of travelling around this beautiful country.
And here’s a final hint: if you spend a little less on travel you can afford a few more treats along the way!