Stretch out the last days of summer exploring a lesser-known but equally memorable beach.
1. Tapapakanga
(from Clevedon village, take the road to Kawakawa Bay, park entrance about 5km past the turn off to Orere Pt).
With ancient pohutukawa, forested valleys and rolling farmland, this is the largest park in the south. From the beach walk you can see the Coromandel Peninsula across the Firth of Thames. Inside the park are remnants of ancient Maori stonefield gardens.
2. Awhitu
(from Drury exit, head to Waiuku, 30km up the Awhitu Peninsula. Park entrance is 2km past Matakawau, on Brook Rd).
Lots of grassy spots and shady trees on the side of the Manukau harbour. For swimming it's best to go a couple of hours either side of high tide, but the wading birds are worth spotting at low tide. Picnic spots are at Brook and Kauritutahi Beaches.
3. Mahurangi
(Ngarewa Drive, off Mahurangi West Drive, 8km north of Waiwera).
Less crowded than Tawharanui or Wenderholm, Mahurangi has three lovely beaches. The broad sweep of sand on Mahurangi East can be reached only by boat, but kayakers put it on par with Abel Tasman National Park. Pretty picnic spots at Mahurangi West have views to Kawau.
4. Whatipu
(from Titirangi, head past Little Huia then take the gravel road to Whatipu).
One of the most isolated and dramatic of the west coast beaches, right on the mouth of the Manukau Harbour, this is the starting point for two of the most stunning walks: the Monawanui Track runs along the clifftops above the harbour entrance, while the Gibbons track passes some of the region's historic spots.
5. Long Bay
(exit the motorway at Oteha Valley Rd, follow the signs through Torbay).
A beautiful east coast beach by any definition, Long Bay is all the more exceptional because it sits on the fast-expanding edge of suburbia. The beach and park somehow absorb the crowds all summer, and never feel uncomfortably full. Walk up the coast to Granny's or Pohutukawa Bay if you need more seclusion.
