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Takapuna Beach
Just a 15-20 minute drive from central Auckland, this North Shore beach has it all. The beach offers up golden sands lined with pohutukawa trees partnered with calm, safe waters. The beach is popular for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and strolls in the sunshine. It also has an awesome playground for littlies. But what makes this beach really special is its proximity to some fantastic cafes, shopping, and nearby walks. Check out the Takapuna Sunday Market on Anzac Street, grab a coffee or gelato from the Takapuna Beach Café or wander the shops of Hurstmere Road before relaxing beachside. To really make the most of this awesome beach, park up your camper at the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park.
Image: Tourism New Zealand
Piha Beach
One of the most popular beaches on the west coast of Auckland, Piha Beach is located around an hour’s drive from the CBD. This remote and rugged beach is popular with surfers, but with strong and often dangerous currents, it’s not recommended for novices. In summer, the beach is patrolled and clearly flagged for swimmers. Surrounded by the Waitakere Regional Parkland, there are some excellent walks near Piha. Be sure to check out Lion Rock Track which takes just 20 minutes return and offers up spectacular views along the coast.
Mission Bay Beach
Just minutes' drive from the CBD, Mission Bay Beach is hugely popular with families. The beach has a fantastic playground right next to the golden sands with plenty of shade and grassy space for picnics. Like many Auckland beaches, it also has an unbeatable view of Rangitoto. Just across the road is a smorgasbord of cafes and eateries. From the beach, you can walk along the wide pathway that winds its way along the waterfront to downtown Auckland.
Sentinel Road Beach
This hidden gem in the suburb of Herne Bay is the perfect spot for a quick dip just minutes from the city. Take in the picturesque views of Auckland’s sparkling harbour and its iconic bridge as you laze under the shade of a pohutukawa. The beach is accessible via a walkway from Sentinel Road. Pack a picnic or fish and chips and enjoy the sunset on one of the beach’s permanent sun loungers.
Anchor Bay Beach
Located in beautiful Tawharanui Regional Park, a road trip to Anchor Bay from Auckland is simply magical. Around 90 minutes’ drive north of the city, this white sand beach rates among many as one of Auckland’s best. The beach is a great spot for surfing, especially for beginners. There are bathrooms and changing rooms close by but no shops, so remember to stock up your campervan with picnic goodies and drinks. Tawharanui is also an open sanctuary (so no dogs allowed) with rolling pastures, native coastal forests, and wetlands. The surrounding bush is home to many of New Zealand’s native bird species including tui, kaka, bellbirds, North Island robins, saddlebacks, and red-crowned parakeets. Best of all, you can enjoy an extended stay here by parking your campervan up at the Tawharanui Campground. Keep your eyes and ears open at night for the sights and sounds of the North Island brown kiwi which is prolific in the park.
Image: Toursim New Zealand
Orewa Beach
Just 40 minutes’ drive north of Auckland, Orewa Beach has long been a top destination for campervan travellers visiting the city. Stretching three kilometres along the east coast, this golden sand beach is ideal for safe swimming, surfing, and kayaking. The beach is just across the road from the village-like atmosphere of the Orewa shopping centre. For a lovely afternoon walk or cycle, head along the Te Ara Tahuna / Orewa Estuary Path. The wide path loops around the Orewa estuary and features carvings and tributes to the estuary's past as a significant food gathering place for Māori. Enjoy a beachside stay at Orewa Beach Holiday Park followed by breakfast at Oliver’s Café.
Long Bay Regional Park Beach
The seaside reserve of Long Bay Regional Park includes a kilometre-long golden sand beach that slopes down to the waters of a coastal marine reserve. There is oodles of space for a game of family cricket, to throw around a ball, fly a kite or stretch out on the grass with an afternoon picnic. A walking track leads along the sandstone cliff tops offering panoramic views across the Hauraki Gulf. The trail leads through sections of native forest with side tracks revealing remnants of Second World War gun emplacements. Facilities at the park include toilets, changing rooms, showers, and barbecue sites.
Cheltenham Beach
Located close to the relaxed harbourside village of Devonport, Cheltenham Beach is yet another of Auckland’s charming golden sand beaches. The beach is a safe spot for swimming with calm, sheltered waters. For sweeping views over the beach and across the harbour, take the footpath that leads directly from the beach up to the summit of North Head Historic Reserve. Cheltenham Beach is also a short walk from Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, a free entry museum that provides a fascinating insight into New Zealand's military history. The museum also has an onsite café for lunch or an ice cream.
Oneroa Beach
Park up your camper in the city and escape overseas to Waiheke Island! Don’t worry, you won’t need a passport, this beautiful island is just 40 minutes’ ride by ferry and is home to idyllic Oneroa Beach. Stretching for around one kilometre, the white sands of Oneroa are just minutes’ walk from the local village with its specialty stores, cafes, and art gallery. With so much to do on this lovely little island, you may want to stay for more than just the day. The good news is you can take your campervan with you on the Sealink Ferry. Park up for the night at Poukaraka Flats Campground.
Karekare Beach
Not far from Piha, around an hour’s drive from Auckland’s CBD, the secluded west coast beach of Karekare is a must-do for keen photographers. Made famous as the backdrop to the 1993 movie, The Piano, Karekare Beach’s raw and rugged beauty is the perfect antidote to the busyness of daily life. And the icing on the cake? Just a few minutes’ walk inland, is Karekare Falls. Standing at 30 metres tall it’s one of the smallest waterfalls in the Auckland region, but also one of the most beautiful. There’s a freshwater pool beneath which is shallow and safe for swimming.
Wenderholm Regional Park Beach
Located just past Orewa – around 40 minutes’ drive from the CBD – Wenderholm is one of the most beautiful regional parks in the area. Nestled into native bush and surrounded by shady trees, the quiet sandy beach offers up sublime views of the Hauraki Gulf. Wenderholm is also home to the historic Couldrey House and Gardens, a Victorian-Edwardian family home that is open to the public. There are several great walking tracks nearby. A nice 30-minute walk is the Te Akeake Path which leads to the picturesque mouth of the Puhoi River. Enjoy a few days or more at this relaxing beach by parking up at the Schischka Campground.
Point Chevalier Beach
Family-friendly and within minutes of the city, Point Chevalier Beach is a popular spot for barbecues, swimming, and relaxing. From the car park, follow the access path which leads down to Point Chevalier Beach. The adjacent Coyle Park offers loads of green space for picnicking and playing. The playground and flying fox will keep the kids entertained while you get lunch ready, and there are toilets and an outdoor shower onsite.
Maraetai Beach
Situated on Auckland’s ‘Pohutakawa Coast’, Maraetai Beach is a lovely golden sand beach that feels a million miles away from the city (although only an hour!). After a swim and some lunch, take a relaxing stroll along the Maraetai Beach Path. Start at the western end of the beach, at Maraetai Park. There’s a small viewing deck here which makes a great photo spot. There's also a beachfront playground for the kids to play and options for an ice cream or coffee across the road. Walk east along the beach and enjoy the spectacular coastal views out to Waiheke Island and Ponui Island. On a clear day, you can even see out to the Coromandel Peninsula.
Omaha Beach
Around 60 minutes drive from Auckland city, Omaha Beach is a stunning white sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Aside from being a great swimming spot, this beach also has some lovely walking trails and is an important nesting area for the endangered New Zealand dotterels. Just minutes away from the beach is Matakana which offers up a great selection of cafes, galleries, vineyards, and a very popular Saturday morning farmers market.
Image: Tourism New Zealand
Campbells Bay Beach
Another of the North Shore’s great beaches, Campbells Bay is the ideal spot for a scenic walk. From Campbells Bay, you can walk along a coastal pipeline and the beaches at Mairangi Bay and Murrays Bay. At Mairangi Bay, it is a short walk along the road to the local cafes, shops, and a fenced playground. At Murrays Bay, you can stop for a coffee at the cafe and watch the sailing club activities.
Ready for your next adventure?
Whether you’re keen on summer swims or winter strolls, you can’t go wrong when you park up next to one of Auckland’s great beaches. Take the first step to discovering the sand and surf of this great city and book your campervan hire online with Britz. Don’t miss out on our latest deals on campervans to help you make the most of your New Zealand road trip.