The Herald Travel ’s annual search for New Zealand’s best beaches is under way again and the competition is hot: will fan-favourite Ōhope retain the crown? Or will an underdog rise to the challenge? Our readers have been busy nominating their favourite slices of paradise in five key categories, with our top 50 finalists unveiled last week . We’ve been profiling the top 10 in each of the five categories and today we’re venturing off the beaten track and exposing Aotearoa’s best-kept secrets, as we take a look at your Best Hidden Gem Beach nominations. But what makes the ultimate hidden gem? Think of the beach that remains relatively untouched by society, a clandestine piece of unspoilt coastline.
We know it’s hard not to gatekeep these quiet, pristine parts of the country, but this category is all about sharing the hidden treasures Aotearoa has to offer. The first beach to make our top 10 is Northland’s Whale Bay, or Matapōuri, on the picturesque Tutukākā coast. Also nominated in the Best Family Beach category, this white-sand oasis is a burgeoning coastal destination with plenty of native bush to explore.
Pūriri, pōhutukawa and kōwhai can be seen on the linked headland trails, which also offer picture-perfect vistas of the surroundings. Perfect for a summer day trip, Whale Bay is one of Northland’s most sparkling crown jewels..
