When I asked my Instagram audience what their favourite beach in New Zealand was, New Chums Beach got a fair few votes. Located in Whangapoua, this place is pretty dreamy, it’s even been voted one of the world’s top 10 beaches. It’s a protected stretch of untouched coastline with no buildings, roads, or camping, making it a true slice of paradise.

To get there, park at the New Chums Beach/Whangapoua Beach car park and walk along the beach towards the rocks. This spot is best visited at low tide, as the track follows a rocky section before leading into a short bush trail. It’s still accessible at high tide (so don’t stress if the tide comes in while you’re there), but you might get a bit wet, and it’s trickier to navigate so aim for low tide. The walk is about 1km each way and should take around 20 minutes.

Oh, and if you’re up for a little extra adventure, don’t forget to check out the New Chums Lookout (it’s pinned on my map).