New Zealand
I'd just like to point out that you can't really relax in a hammock with cocktail on the southern NZ beaches. They are better suited to sport, BBQ, beachcombing or watching animals. Even in summer you should have windproof clothing to hand, and it is also essential to protect yourself from the high UV levels with long sleeves, hat, suncream etc.
About half an hour's drive south of Dunedin, this is a large beach lying around a small estuary. Great for beachcombing, picnics, surfing and fooling around.
This is the cityside beach in Dunedin, quite short but always with impressive surf. At one end is the open air salt water pool, great for swimming when the surf's up, also good for toddlers and small children.
There's a promenade behind the beach with a couple of good bars and cafes. There are more impressive beaches further up the peninsula but for convenience and all-round utility you can't beat St. Clairs.
Amazing white sand deserted beach. Magic mushrooms grow among the lupins. Mindblowing...
Out along the Otago peninsula, seaward side
Search Been there