TouchScreenTravels

Our Touch, your Travels…

This is a preview of the full content of our New Zealand’s Best app.

Please consider downloading this app to support small independent publishing and because:

All content is designed for mobile devices and works best there.
Detailed in-app maps will help you find sites using your device’s GPS.
The app works offline (one time upgrade required on Android versions).
All advertising (only present on Android versions) can be removed.

The app will also allow you to:

Add custom locations to the app map (your hotel…).
Create your own list of favourites as you browse.
Search the entire contents using a fast and simple text-search tool.
Make one-click phone calls (on phones).

West Coast Beaches

Black-sand beaches & surf

There’s a stunning line-up of black-sand West Coast beaches that are all within easy reach of Auckland for a daytrip if you have your own wheels. If you only have time to visit one, head to Piha Beach (this entry’s map location). From south to north:

Karekare Beach - this undeveloped beauty is known for strong surf and rips. Don’t swim unless the lifeguards are out. Accessed by Karekare Rd, signposted off Piha Rd.
Piha Beach - well-known surf beach, popular with Aucklanders escaping the city; dangerous enough that it has its own reality TV show called Piha Rescue. Swim between the flags at this rugged, ruly beach. Accessed on Piha Rd.
Te Hanga / Bethells Beach - this windswept beach offers the Te Henga Walkway, which links it with Muriwai Beach.
Muriwai Beach - this black-sand beach is popular with surfers, parapenters and hang-gliders. There are a number of short walks, including to the Takapu refuge Gannet Colony.

You’ll want your own wheels to get to any of these.

Practical Info Practical Info icon

West Coast Beaches

Beaches

Out West

Image by Kiwi Flickr