Black Sands

Black sands, driftwood logs

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The beaches surrounding Wanganui really stretches one way almost to Wellington and other way to the foot of Mt Taranaki.  Only broken by the many rivers that pour down from the hinterland the beach was once the only 'Highway' to the north and many of the early settlers walked the whole way.  Much of the sands are black iron sands which is different and can be boiling hot in the summer.  I think that the better surf is in the northern end in Taranaki Province although I believe that Castlecliff Beach at the mouth of the Whanganui River can kick up some good waves.  All beaches in NZ are free with plenty of access but often facilities are sparse as are people on them.