New Zealand's Coastal Delights
Small coastal towns are some of the most beautiful and relaxing places to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Being a long and narrow island nation, New Zealand has a multitude of coastal towns. Here are a few that we believe are worth visiting.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura has a welcoming community of around 2100 residents. Boasting a wide selection of pubs, bars and restaurants, seafood is the specialty around here with some of the freshest and most delicious in the entire country. While mostly pebbly, the town’s beaches are perfect for kayaking, swimming, diving, fishing, and even a spot of whale watching if you’re lucky!
Raglan
Raglan is a beautiful coastal town located in the Waikato region, 48 km west of Hamilton. Whether you’re looking for incredible surf, spectacular scenery, gorgeous beaches, inspiring arts or the country’s best fish’n’chips, Raglan’s laid back atmosphere and friendly locals offer the perfect escape from the rushed hullabaloo of everyday life.
Riversdale Beach
The sheltered, gently sloping beach at Riversdale is four kilometres long and a great spot for swimming, surfing and fishing.
It's easy to get to being only an hours drive from Masterton on the Masterton-Castlepoint Road. Some highlights of the small town include the Riversdale Beach golf course, Rewanui Forest Park, and the year-round surfing. A popular meeting spot is the small general store which doubles as a fish’n’chip shop.
Akitio
Akitio is a humble little coastal community in the Tararua District on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. This tiny community, with a fluctuating population between 30 and 300, is primarily a farm district providing lovely views of rolling countryside, when you’re not looking at the superb coastline. A popular and enjoyable activity is grabbing a raft and taking a leisurely float down the Akitio river.
Coromandel
The Coromandel is renowned the world over for its almost impossible beauty. It is an outdoor haven where rugged terrain is contrasted by a picture-perfect coastline. This natural landscape provides inspiration for the locals’ creative works and quirky attractions hidden around the place and tucked into every bay. The laid back attitude of the residents encourages a relaxed atmosphere that is better understood once experienced. With unbelievably beautiful beaches, incredible cuisine, stunning landscape features and events happening year-round, Coromandel is a must-visit for all.
Mapua
This charming township, located just 30 minutes west of Nelson, provides its visitors with a uniquely pleasant experience and is best enjoyed during the warmer months. With bike tracks, fishing, a beautiful beach, as well as a lively bunch of restaurants, art galleries, wine bars and a craft brewery, Mapua has something for anyone looking to relax and unwind.
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