Life's a beach

New Zealand's 15,000 kilometre coastline offers the ultimate campervan holiday serving up everything from basking in the sun, swimming and tranquil strolls along the beach, to more challenging adventures such as kayaking, surfing and diving.

If you’re looking for inspiration or a recommendation, here’s a list of our favourite beach spots across New Zealand from the team at Britz campervans.

Ninety Mile Beach

Location: Northland

Ironically the true length of the beach is 88 kilometres, but why bother counting when confronted with such an epic expanse of sand and ocean. The colossal dunes provide fun for the kids, and if you’re lucky you may even spot wild horses galloping along the ridges.

Piha

Location: Auckland

One of Auckland’s iconic west coast beaches and a hotspot for keen surfers. Piha is a black sand beach with rolling swells, flanked by the shapely headlands of Lion Rock and Taitomo Island. Just a short walking distance from the bustling surf beach are plenty of scenic walking tracks, including overnight parking areas for self-contained campervans.

Ngarunui

Location: Raglan

Raglan is New Zealand’s most famous surf spot and home to many surf competitions. Just a ten minute drive away is Ngarunui , a gorgeous beach with summer lifeguard patrols and beginner-friendly surfing conditions (get a surf lesson at Raglan Surfing School ). Marvel at the pros in action at nearby Manu bay, rumoured to have the world's longest left-hand break!

Hot Water Beach

Location: Coromandel

As its namesake suggests, the underground natural springs at Hot Water Beach seep up to the surface when you dig away into the sand. Rest up for the night at the Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday Park  , and visit the local cafe if you want a truly delicious muffin.

Waimarama

Location: Hawkes Bay

Just 30 minutes’ drive south from Hasting, Waimarama is a golden, sandy beach popular with Hawkes Bay water babies. A great surfing and swimming spot (with lifeguard patrols), as well as scenic walking trails including a return trip to nearby Ocean Beach. Treat yourself to ice cream and fish & chips, and park up for the night at the Waimarama Seaside Resort.

Tahunanui

Locations: Nelson

Tahunanui is one of New Zealand's favourite holiday hotspots and is just a short five minutes’ drive from Nelson’s city centre.
The sandy shallows offer a myriad of beach activities, with a large recreation reserve just beyond the beach with playgrounds, sports fields and many other fun activities such as mini-golf and a hydro-slide pool.

If you’re looking for somewhere to park up for the night, check out Tahuna Beach Holiday Park.

Scott's Beach

Location: West Coast

Off the beaten track at the northern end of the West Coast highway, you’ll discover Kohaihai . A delightful end to the picturesque coastal drive.

Sheltered conservation campsites can be found around the river mouth, inland of which is Kahurangi National Park . Soak up this unique wilderness on the hiking trail to Scott's Beach, which passes scenic lookouts before breaching the wild, rugged beach.

Sumner

Location: Christchurch

Nestled just 10km from central Christchurch, the lively and breezy seaside suburb of Sumner  has long-been known as a water-lovers' playground. It's a neat place to visit, with good swimming and surf (lifeguards in summer), backed by a upbeat little village with ample hospitality and boutique shopping.

Porpoise & Curio Bays

Location: The Catlins

Remote, rugged, rural, beautiful – the Catlins stretch of the Southern Scenic Route is a truly memorable coastal drive.

If you’re looking for a truly memorable drive, try the Catlins stretch along the Southern Scenic Route .
Remote, rugged and beautiful with ocean views abound. Take a detour to remote beaches, and don’t miss Porpoise Bay, where you can see dolphins frolicking alongside students of the Catlins Surfing School.

Next door you’ll find Curio Bay, home to the rare yellow-eyed penguin including a fossilised forest. If you’re looking for a spot to park your Britz campervan  for the night, check out the old-fashioned headland campground.