Beach Vacations New Zealand

photo by Real Traveler Ryan & Sara

The beach offers a variety of activities to be enjoyed under the sun. This natural delight can provide you with a picturesque, relaxing setting to unwind, or a great access point to your favorite water sports. You can discover unique and colorful creatures while snorkeling in the sea, or get sporty and go surf the waves. Being a beach bum is always perfectly acceptable too - bring a book and find a relatively quiet beach for some much needed rest. Bringing the kids along? Most popular beaches have rental stands with chairs, boogie boards and more so you can keep everyone entertained and comfortable without having to pack extra gear....read more »

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Top Destinations for Beach

Top beach cities

photo by Real Traveler Ryan & Sara

Abel Tasman National Park

A fantastic national park, Abel Tasman offers travelers scenic beaches, great weather and plenty of activities to partake in. Camping, kayaking, sailing and diving are all possible here, though you might just enjoy relaxing on the beach for a few hours. read more »
photo by Real Traveler James and Naomi

Auckland

Auckland is the gateway to New Zealand and its largest city. Almost entirely surrounded by water, and covered with volcanic hills, the city has a spectacular harbor and infinite possibilities. Wherever the visitor may be at any given moment, there is th... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Bruha

Coromandel Peninsula

Coromandel Peninsula is a popular tourist destination, especially for travelers who embrace ecotourism, a small-town feel, and sublime scenery. Much of the peninsula is made up of subtropical rain forest, and the terrain is rugged and smells of fresh fo... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Eliza

Nelson

Receiving the most sunshine in New Zealand, Nelson has the irresistible blend of natural beauty and fabulous laid-back culture. Located at the northwest corner of the country’s South Island, Nelson boasts a varied landscape with the mountainous Southe... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Amyn & Yaz

Cape Reinga

Situated on the tip of New Zealand’s Aupouri Peninsula, Cape Reinga is a destination of tranquil beauty. Nearby tourist attractions include the Ninety Mile Beach and the Te Paki steam beds. Cape Reinga is associated with Maori mythology, and its spirit... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Flo

Paihia

Paihia, the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands, is located in the North Island of New Zealand. Known as the site for the country’s first game of cricket, Paihia is also a popular resort destination, offering travelers everything from fine dining t... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Phil Roberts

Punakaiki

Nestled on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, Punakaiki's dramatic landscape will awe you. Found in this area are the "Pancake Rocks" limestone rock formations that are stacked like pancakes. Ocean water sprays upwards through holes during h... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Chuck2006

Dunedin

Situated on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand's South Island, Dunedin possesses a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture, and world-famous wildlife reserves on the Otago Peninsula. It is New Zealand's oldest city and its art galle... read more »
photo by Real Traveler Timmy

Whitianga

Whitianga is another growing New Zealand town and also the main settlement on the North Island’s Mercury Bay. Its name is deceiving; Whitianga is pronounced "Fitianga." With a long history of industries such as boat building, gold mining, and gum diggi... read more »
photo by Real Traveler TimG

Christchurch

This popular southern New Zealand city is a great destination for tourists looking for simple English-style charm. Take a boat across Avon Banks, explore the Cathedral Square, check out the wooden villas in Akaroa, or try skiing on mount Hutt. read more »

Top Five Beach Trip Blogs

Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beaches | Dec 29 08'

by Elise Travels a female traveling as a couple from Buffalo, on vacation in Coromandel Peninsula

After a long day of traveling, combined with car troubles and a sinus infection- we made it to the busy town of Whititanga&... Continue reading »
New Zealand - Kayaking the Abel Tasman | Dec 09 06'

by Becs and Chris a traveling as a couple from London, on vacation in Abel Tasman National Park

"Abel seamen"

Not satisfied with our cycling and walking, and still conscious of our enlarged love handles after 3 months in Australia (good to know the Sydney i... Continue reading »
Whitianga and Waitomo Caves | Sep 13 06'

by Timmy a 27 year old male from Manchester, on vacation in Whitianga

"after 2 hrs in the caves i couldn't feel my toes "

Hello people,So after we returned the space ship we stayed one more night in Auckland - nothing interesting happened, we basically washed our cloth... Continue reading »
Northland and Coromandel | Oct 19 05'

by CoolMum a female traveling as a family from Kuala Lumpur, on vacation in Coromandel Peninsula

""he long flat stretch beautiful coastline of Ninety Mile Beach of the North Island. This is a 'must-do' and 'must-see'""

Next in our itinerary in New Zealand, North Island is Paihia and a day trip to Far North, Cape Reinga. You will experience the unique side of New Z... Continue reading »
Markets, Goats, Rain and Wind | Apr 13 07'

by Travelling Family a female traveling as a family from London, on vacation in Piha

"my choice of activities"

Our last Saturday in New Zealand. The weather has certainly turned for the worst. It was intermittent showers all day, and strong winds... Continue reading »

New Zealand Travel Experiences

Great Barrier Island

We travelled to Great Barrier Island on Jan 2 2008 on the Fullers Fast Cat which took approx 2 hours. The sailing was mostly smooth... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler nzers
West Coast

Once you reach the western side the vegetation changes completely, arid rolling landscape gives way to lush dense forest. The mountains a... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler ClanWilliams
Hints and Tips - New Zealand

Here are a few hints and tips regarding NZHere is my list of places to visit in New Zealand, obviously biased towards those travelling wi... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler Travelling Family
NZ South Island

We are having a wonderful time here in NZ with Pauline and Tony, but we are having a terrible time finding computer time - we are all tal... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler peterandjudydean
New Zealand: Campervan - Taupo/New Plymouth

After staying the night in Auckland we were picked up from the Hostel by 'Explore More' who we were hiring a campervan off for the next 3... Continue reading »

by Real Traveler Barney & Teresa