Ninety-Mile Beach runs along the western side of the Aupouri Peninsula, the strip of land leading to the Northern Tip of New Zealand. It’s one of the more famous beaches in the country. Its name is a bit of a misnomer as the beach is only 60 miles (96 km) long. Officially, it runs from Shipwreck Bay to Cape Maria van Diemen.
I can’t believe I hadn’t been here before. Our December road trip was my third visit up that way. We allocated one day on Aupouri Peninsula and spent it enjoying the white sands of Rarawa Beach, at Cape Reinga, and sandboarding at Te Pake. We almost missed ninety-mile beach again but managed to squeeze it in just before sunset. Technically, the giant sand dunes at Te Pake are on Ninety-Mile Beach, but I wanted to walk at the water’s edge.
Additional Information on Ninety-Mile Beach:
- Ninety-Mile Beach boasts one of the best left-hand surf breaks in the world (Being that I am not a surfer, I am not sure how important this is).
- If you decide to drive on the beach you really should have 4WD. As it is officially a highway, all New Zealand road rules apply. Also, remember to drive to the conditions, and these change rapidly.
- Most rental car agreements do NOT allow driving on the beach. Be sure to check your contract before you go.
- There are many entrances to Ninety-Mile beach. We opted to take West Coast Road and enter from Waipapakauri Ramp. The cut off from Hwy 1 is just over 5km north of Awanui.
- Several companies offer day bus tours along Aupouri Peninsula. Tours generally start from Kaitaia or the Bay of Islands and include a drive along the beach, sand surfing, and Cape Reinga. Some include a stop at Rarawa Beach.
- First-time visitors to New Zealand: don’t miss these New Zealand travel tips.
***Ninety Mile Beach is part of our recommended 4-5 day itinerary around the top of the North Island.***
Have you been to Ninety-Mile Beach? Did/Would you drive your own vehicle on the beach?
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Maggie
Great Pics of beach, Looks so gorgeous.Wish i would visit this place soon…
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get a chance to soon.
Kristin Aquariann
Wow! What a stunning sunset.
Rhonda Albom
We were really lucky to be on the beach for it.
Shanna
I was actually thinking of going to New Zealand this Summer. If I do, I definitely have to go there! It looks beautiful and the pictures you took are stunning! I dont think I would chance getting my car stuck in the sand though..
Rhonda Albom
I don’t know where you live, but it is summer in New Zealand now. But no worries, the beach is there all year long. And thanks.
Sara @ Simply Sara Travel
Gorgeous photos! That is so funny that the beach is an official road!
Rhonda Albom
I thought so too when I first heard it.
Jessi (Two Feet, One World)
Wow beautiful shots! I love the wildness of 90-Mile Beach, but I’ve never been there at sunset.
Rhonda Albom
Likewise, I have never been during the day 🙂
ladyfi
Wow – gorgeous!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks 🙂
Lisa @ LTTL
Oh, I have read about this beach. Your shots are fabulous! That sign is a bit funny, they have pictures and all. I guess people do not trust words alone. Can you imagine being on the beach and then having your car swallowed by the sand? I would be freaking out. ;-D
Lisa at Life Thru the Lens (www.lisakerner-slp.com)
Rhonda Albom
Pictures are good as I would imagine it is more often tourists that are the ones that get in trouble. Locals certainly know better and respect the sea.
Terri
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Terri 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
What an adventure! I’d love to do this someday!
Rhonda Albom
I hope you get here. New Zealand is loaded with adventure opportunities.
eileen
Gorgeous beach and a lovely sky! Have a happy day!
Rhonda Albom
It was pretty magical. We got lucky, with that much cloud cover it could have been really ugly.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Eileen.
Amy
I’ve never visited this beach, not sure why but I never have…time for a trip maybe?
Rhonda Albom
Yes, it sounds like it is time for a trip to the top of the country.
Mick
Great photos of the beach and beautiful sunset shots. Thanks for bringing back memories for me. We lived in Kaitaia when I was a child and drove on the beach all the time. No 4 wheel drive vehicles back then – (I think maybe the military had some?!) – so you had to be an extremely good driver and know both the beach and the tides. Dad was an excellent driver and very careful as well. I remember coming home one afternoon and there was a storm off shore somewhere that had driven the tide in very early. Dad drove us up into the sand-hills, we pitched a tent, made a fire, and had tea until the tide went down to where it was safe to drive again. It was a real adventure!! AND close to 60 years ago!
Rhonda Albom
Wow, what an adventure. Thanks so much for sharing that story. What a fantastic part of the country to grow up. So much beauty and peacefulness. Even today, you need to know the beach, which I think is why the buses are so popular.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks.
gerald
Went there in 2001 on a coach – the entrance was over quicksand – I didn’t go dune-surfing – loved seeing the abalones (birds) there – these shots bring back lovely memories.
Rhonda Albom
We thought about doing the bus, but we like traveling on our own timeline, and decided that driving along the sand wasn’t really a big enough thrill for us. Maybe one day.
Travelera
Amazing long long beach, these pictures are so gorgeous! Well done!
Rhonda Albom
New Zealand is surrounded by stunning beaches. (I voted for you 🙂 )
Lexa Cain
That first sunset pic is absolutely stunning! Wow! Thanks for sharing all the info, and it sounds like your husband was wise to park the car and walk. No need for a stuck, waterlogged car! 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks. I agree, hubby generally leans to the side of caution, which keeps us all out of trouble. 🙂
Jesh StG
Good question …I don’t know if they allow any vehicles on the beach in California, since most of them are packed with people most of the year.So, probably not! Beautiful beach scapes here!
Rhonda Albom
We used to live in California, and I can’t imagine driving on the beaches there – without get arrested. 🙂
Molly
How wonderful to have so much beach all to yourself
mollyxxx
Rhonda Albom
It is rare to find crowds anywhere outside of a city in New Zealand.
stevebethere
Beautiful shots especially the sunset one, nearest beach to me is Brighton and that’s not got sand it has pebbles arrgh! LOL
Have a beachtastic day …..bet you knew that one was coming heheh!
Rhonda Albom
Does it have nice sunsets? We get sunrise on our beach, which I can only imagine as I sleep way past it everyday.
Claudya
Gorgeous. I’m pretty sure I would rather explore by foot, but I guess you can cover more ground in a vehicle. The first photo is crazy beautiful.
Rhonda Albom
Me too. I almost always prefer to visit places on foot.
And, thanks 🙂
Jean Marie
I would love to drive on the beach but probably would not. I’m all too aware of how sand can get into everything!!
Rhonda Albom
That’s the problem, you have to do it in your own car or have no insurance. Too risky.
Joyce
These are beautiful photos.
L. Diane Wolfe
That’s a really long beach.
In NC, they allow 4WD and other vehicles on the beach. My best friend was shocked to discover NC allows them when she visited. In Oregon, few beaches allow any vehicles.
Rhonda Albom
It is a long beach, just not as long as its name implies. I was surprised that you can drive on many New Zealand beaches as well.
Eli
Wow, that is a huge beach…. There is something magical about sunset, and especially sunset in the sea… Love it, so I got a bit lost (in a good way) in your pictures – they are amazing:-)
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Eli. I feel the same about sunset and the beach. We face east, and I am generally up to late to watch the sunrise.
Monica
The sunset shots in particular are gorgeous! I laughed to see the sign about 4WD vehicles, and thought the pictures they showed were really effective ways to let people know what could happen. How awful it would be to get stuck like that! I’ve never been to New Zealand. Maybe someday… Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda Albom
Yes, it would be pretty bad. I think most people only get mildly stuck and then manage to get out. But we were not going to risk it. That’s why there are busses to do it.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – fun to see the sign .. but people are incredibly naive. So pleased you got there and were able to spend a little time amongst a bit of the 90 miles or (60/96 kms) … lovely sunset – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
It is shocking how often it happens. Hubby was wise to back away when he was unsure.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Officially a highway – now that is just wild. Never heard of a beach being an official road before.
Rhonda Albom
Yep, that’s exactly what I thought. Only in New Zealand.
Anabel
Stunning sunset shots.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Anabel, the sky made it easy to get such great shots.