Time on the beach is the ultimate way to spend a New Zealand summer; be it under an umbrella with a good book, eating fish and chips, or catching waves. Book a car hire in New Zealand with VroomVroomVroom to get to some of the best beaches; that way you can stay all day, no getting back on the bus when someone else says it's time to go!
Hahei Beach on the Coromandel is a New Zealand favourite and seriously one of the most breathtaking beaches on offer. This sheltered and fabulous beach is perfect for for fishing, boating and swimming.
Highlights:
Directions: You can rent from Auckland Airport and drive to Thames via State Highway 1 and SH 2 toward Coromandel Pensinsula. Continue onto New Zealand State Highway 25/State Highway 25 to your destination.
With clear blue waters and soft white sand, Mahia Beach is a white sand wonder with breaks that are sure to impress. A summer staple for those who live on the East Coast of New Zealand, it's nearest to Gisborne as a pick-up location for a rental car. Cheap car rental is easy with VroomVroomVroom and many of New Zealand's best beaches are only accessible with a vehicle. So pack your swimming trunks, maybe a tent and a chilly bin of food and drinks.
Highlights:
Directions: From Wairoa, take State Highway 2 heading towards Gisborne. At Nuhaka continue straight, ahead towards Mhia.
The Bay of Plenty region has plenty to offer, with endless sunshine, and cool clean sea to wash away your blues. You can start at the eight kilometre-long Waihi Beach or continue driving for another 40 minutes to Mount Maunganui.
Highlights:
Directions: To get to the Bay of Plenty, you can pick up a rental car from Auckland Airport. It's around a two-hour drive to Waihi Beach. If you are planning on flying into Tauranga, Rotorua, or Whakatane, it's less than an hour to one of the best beaches in New Zealand.
Don't forget the South Island, it has its share of stunning coastlines too. Nelson is at the very top of the South Island and frequently has the highest sunshine hours for the whole country. Kaiteriteri Beach doesn't have surf, but it does have golden sand. It is the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, and is perfect for sea kayaking.
Highlights:
Directions: You can pick up your rental car from Nelson Airport and head northeast on Trent Dr toward Rapide Pl. Continue onto Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road via State Highway 60 to your destination.
Situated on Koekohe Beach between Moeraki and Hampden are one of the most enchanting and popular attractions on the South Island - Moeraki Boulders. Currently, there are 50 boulders and they are now said to be protected by law.
Highlights:
Directions: You can pick up your hire car from Dunedin and head north on SH 1 toward Queens Gardens. Keep left to stay on SH 1 and follow signs for Route 1/Timaru onto Moeraki Boulders Road to reach your destination.
Being the only large West Coast town centre situated next to the beach, the remarkable Hokitika Beach is simply hard to ignore. The Hokitika Beach is another amazing place to unwind and relax with family and friends. This is also an ideal place to carve your own greenstone pendant, since Hokitika is known as the jade capital of New Zealand.
Highlights:
Directions: You can pick up your rental car from Greymouth and head north on State Highway 6 toward State Highway 6 to reach your destination.