Ninety Mile Beach

A Beach with Tyre Tracks

Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North District on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island is no ordinary beach. It is not only popular for swimming and sunbathing but, as part of New Zealand's highway network, is also an official road. Although the name suggests it stretches 90 miles along the coast, Ninety Mile Beach is actually only 55 miles (roughly 88 kilometres) long. The true reason for the name remains unknown, though numerous theories exist.

A Scenic Highlight of New Zealand

Ninety Mile Beach is particularly striking in terms of scenery. It runs along the Aupouri Peninsula from Ahipara in the south to Scott Point in the north. In the northern half, two small islands lie just off the coast: Matapia Island and Te Wakatehaua Island. A highlight is the shifting Te Paki sand dunes, also located in the northern section of the beach. The impressive desert landscape right by the sea is not just beautiful to look at: many visitors toboggan or sandboard down the enormous dunes. At some spots, you can also hire a quad bike and take on the dunes that way.

Exploring Ninety Mile Beach on Foot

Whether on a short stroll or a multi-day hiking tour, the magnificent landscape of Ninety Mile Beach is best explored on foot. Anyone wanting to escape the hot sun for a while should head for the Aupouri Forest, a beautiful woodland that runs alongside the beach. It offers wonderful walking opportunities, and you might even spot some of the wild horses that live here. Since the 1990s, Ninety Mile Beach has also been the venue for a marathon run entirely on the sand — the Te Houtaewa Challenge.

Activities on the Beach

Beyond a leisurely walk, Ninety Mile Beach tempts with further activities. The beach is well suited to surf casting. Once a year (usually at the end of February), hundreds of anglers gather here to take part in a five-day fishing competition. On every other day of the year, plenty of people also try their luck in the hope of landing a big catch. At low tide, you can dig in the sand for tuatua (native shellfish) — a popular delicacy in New Zealand. In fine weather, the beach naturally invites a swim as well. After a dip in the Tasman Sea, you can dry off under the New Zealand sun.

Driving Along Ninety Mile Beach

A truly unique experience is racing along the hard-packed sand in a car, past seagulls, wild horses and abandoned car wrecks. Speeds of up to 100 km/h are permitted on the official road. This is only recommended with four-wheel drive, however, as drivers regularly get stuck in the sand or water. It is therefore no surprise that hire cars are not insured for a drive along Ninety Mile Beach, and trips in rental vehicles have even been officially prohibited. Recovery services are nowhere to be found either — partly because there is no mobile phone reception on the beach, and partly because use of the road is expressly at your own risk. Warning signs at the access roads point out the dangers. A breakdown therefore often ends with the car sinking into the waters of the Tasman Sea. Those who would rather not drive themselves can book a tour by minibus and ride along the beach with others, without risking their own vehicle.

A Runway for Aircraft

In 1932, Ninety Mile Beach was even used as a runway for aircraft. At the time, airmail planes operating between Australia and New Zealand took off and landed here.

By car

The towns of Kaitaia or Ahipara make a good starting point for a trip to Ninety Mile Beach. From Auckland (roughly 320 kilometres), they are reached via State Highway 1 heading north.

By tour operator

Organised bus tours are offered for a drive along Ninety Mile Beach. Many depart from the surrounding towns and travel all the way to Cape Reinga.