Our trip to New Zealand was a whole string of mini holidays put together - we had city breaks, country retreats, and every few days or so a visit to a stunning beach. So here are the beach highlights:
After we left Auckland we travelled to the resort of Paihia, where our hotel room opened directly onto the beach.
After we left Auckland we travelled to the resort of Paihia, where our hotel room opened directly onto the beach.
This was when we really knew we were somewhere very different. There were lots of birds, and we also learnt a little bit of history.
The Waitangi treaty grounds are very close to Paihia, and they are probably of more historical significance than the site of the first game of cricket.
While we were staying in Paihia we decided to travel further north and visit Ninety Mile Beach. Even when we found out it is in fact only sixty miles long, it is still a very impressive beach, and we enjoyed walking along the hot sand. We were a little surprised to see a 30 kph speed limit sign, and even more surprised when two cars hurtled onto the beach and raced past us. Needless to say they were going considerably faster than 30kph
While we were staying in Paihia we decided to travel further north and visit Ninety Mile Beach. Even when we found out it is in fact only sixty miles long, it is still a very impressive beach, and we enjoyed walking along the hot sand. We were a little surprised to see a 30 kph speed limit sign, and even more surprised when two cars hurtled onto the beach and raced past us. Needless to say they were going considerably faster than 30kph
Our next stay was at Pauanui, and we set off to visit what our guide book described as an essential site - Hot Water Beach.
This was the only beach where we saw more than about five people. They were all congregated in the same very small spot digging away to produce thermal hot pools. One of my toes managed to detect some warm water, but it looked like too much hard work to do any more. The highlight of Hot Water beach for us was seeing the rare New Zealand Dotterel
The New Zealanders are not a nation of sunbathers - at no time did we ever see anyone relaxing on a beach. The nearest that anyone got to that was in the Abel Tasman National park when people were waiting for the water taxi. The boat would get as near as it could to the beach, then people would wade out and scramble aboard. It was even harder getting off the taxi, particularly for those people laden with tents, pots and pans and small seasick children. After our experience on Mount Ruapehu we decided to stay on the boat and have a tour of the beaches by sea.
Each beach had its own set of rules and regulations - usually to do with when you could walk your dog, but there were also other reminders. Leithfield beach on the way to Christchurch had very clear instructions on what to do when the tsunami warning sounded; however we managed to eat our picnic in safety.
St Clare's beach was the most southerly we stayed at - very popular with surfers, but you do have to look out for sharks.
Our visit to New Zealand coincided with one of the coldest summers they have had for a while, so we weren't at all tempted to go swimming, but all the beaches were great for walks.
New Zealand had its own gold rush in the nineteenth century, and Okarito beach was very glittery
We couldn't resist making our own piece of art.
It is just impossible to travel far in New Zealand without being confronted with spectacular views, so here are a couple to finish with.