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Considering that New Zealand just about the size of the
state of Colorado, this country has a coastline that is
extraordinarily long, over fifteen thousand kilometers. The
coastline of the U.S. mainland is about this size too. This
is probably because New Zealand’s coastline in indented and
irregular. This country’s coastline is full of bays, deep
coves, long sounds, intricate harbours, and steep fiords.
New Zealand’s territorial waters span the distance from the
sub-tropics to the sub-antarctics.
The coastline of New Zealand ends at Fiordland and Abel
Tasman National Parks in the South Islands and in the North
Island’s Bay of Islands Maritime Reserve. |
Fiordland’s Mitre
Peak is an extraordinary feature of coastline of New
Zealand. It rises at an impressive height of almost a mile
from the sea. The highest hours of sunshine and the best
sandy beaches in New Zealand are found at the Abel Tasman
National Park.
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Both the North and South islands have the best beaches for
swimming on the east coast and the deeper north you go. The
west coasts of both these islands have plenty of cliffs and
are rugged, and yet there are still a number of bathing and
swimming beaches available in this area. Black sand or iron
sand beaches are also found along the west coast of the
North Island. Volcanic activities are responsible for the
unusual black sand color.
The 90 Mile Beach is New Zealand’s longest beach although it
is really just 60 miles in length. This beach is famous for
the huge dunes of sand that look very similar to those of
the Sahara Desert in some parts. The 90 Mile beach takes up
the North Island’s north western coastline. |
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There are some cool surf breaks available in both the
islands of New Zealand. The most popular break is located in
a little town known as Raglan on Hamilton’s west side. The
extraordinarily lengthy surf rides of Raglan have made it
famous and have earned it a place in the World Surfing
Circuit.
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A thickly forested volcanic peninsula, the Coromandel
Peninsula is located in Auckland’s south east. It is perfect
vacation spot for those who want to get away from the
stressful city life in Auckland.
The Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand is very popular for
its spectacular beaches and its rainforest covered ancient
volcanoes that are very picturesque. There are some parts of
the area that have been cleared and had been converted into
farms. Along with the tourist industry, farming forms the
basis for the economy in the Coromandel. |
Places you must visit and see on the Peninsula are the
Cathedral Cove, Hot Water Beach, and Whangamata. As the name
suggests, Hot Water Beach has thermal heat rising through
the sand and raises the temperature of the water. You can
create your own natural spa here by digging a hole in the
sand during high tide and wait for it to fill up with water.
Located on the east coast of Wairarapa is Castlepoint.
Approximately 68 kilometers from Masterton, you can make a
day trip to this place from Wellington. Because of the
similarities of this place to a castle’s battlements,
Captain Cook named it Castlepoint in 1770. Here you can
enjoy views of the ocean, go on fabulous walks, and go
swimming and/or surfing. |
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