New Zealand - all beaches

Piha Beach is an ideal weekend escape to immerse yourself in nature. This black sand beach offers great spots to relax, read a book, have a picnic, or, for the more adventurous, go surfing. The water is crystal clear and exceptionally clean. However, finding parking on weekends can be challenging.

Glenduan Reserve is located 18 km from Nelson and is a beautiful, restful place to relax. It's a great spot for dog walks and seal spotting. There is a walking area along the side of the beach, and the reserve features two playgrounds, a skateboard area, toilets, a children's play area with a flying fox, and plenty of parking. The beach at Glenduan is very rocky. You can also reach Cable Bay from here, either via the beach or the 8 km Cable Bay Walkway that goes over the hill. The area is a Marine Reserve, so no fishing, netting, taking, or killing of marine life is allowed, and the removal of any natural material from the reserve is prohibited.

When sorted properly, this place is fantastic, especially with the right company. It gets busy on weekends with locals heading to the beach. There are toilets, drinking water, several large grassy areas, and picnic tables. The beach is perfect for walks when the tide is out, heading left towards Blackhead or right towards Brighton. It's also enjoyable with the tide in, depending on the direction. The location is stunning at sunrise and sunset, especially on a warm, windless night. Away from artificial light, the stars are breathtaking, and the beach is much quieter than during the day. Timing is crucial, especially if you're walking dogs, as you might encounter sea lions and seals, more so than at Brighton Beach. The coastal road offers an amazing drive with views leading to Taieri Mouth and a scenic route through a majestic forest, with a stop a few kilometers before Waihola, which is now locked at night for vehicles.

This place is incredibly welcoming. There's ample parking for up to 25 motorhomes, and the beach is just steps away. You'll find a rubbish bin and shared toilets on site, which are also used by the NZMCA park across the road. It's DOG friendly and very quiet, except for the occasional sounds of wekas.

This beach is absolutely breathtaking. The black sand is incredibly soft and doesn't cling to your skin. The views are stunning and it's not overcrowded. The waves are massive and appear quite turbulent. However, if you head further up, there's a designated swimming area where the waves seem smaller and less rough. It's only a 50-minute drive from Auckland CBD, making it a highly recommended destination to visit.

I absolutely love this place! The beach has beautiful sand, and it's perfect for a drive over the hill.