Marketed as a NZ must-do, and one of the world’s top twenty beaches, this was a great last day of our holiday. It was a cloudy day thankfully, as we were already sunburnt, and the photos weren’t quite like this first tourist bureau pic.
Drove to Whangapoua Beach, half an hour north of Whitianga and got a free park (at the Northern end of the beach). By the time we got back in the afternoon, parking seemed a bit harder to find. (By the way, Whangapoua Beach is a nice beach as well.)
About a half hour walk to the beach; it was a small adventure, which keeps some tourists away. First up is crossing Pungapunga River, at the bar. A bit of fun since the tide was in; still only just over the knees.
Next is a bit of boulder hopping … what a mix of different rocks, mostly smoothed by wave action.
Then there is a mud track just above high tide, that goes over the ridge to New Chum Beach.
We found the whole walk easy enough with bare feet, but the tourist bureau recommends closed footwear.
Apparently the beach used to be known as Nude Bums Beach; we saw one nudist enjoying the sun. So we continued to the far end of the beach, for calmer swimming in the altogether. Magic.
https://www.thecoromandel.com/activities/must-do/new-chum-beach/