Simpsons Beach

If you want to get away from the tourist crowds, Wharekaho is where locals actually go. Simpsons Beach sits right on the coastline here, and the neighborhood around it stays genuinely quiet — no ice cream vans, no chaos. It’s the kind of spot you bring the kids when you want a relaxed beach day without having to fight for a patch of sand. Worth knowing before you head out though: accessibility is limited, so it’s not the easiest if you’ve got a wheelchair or pram. Pack a lunch, find a spot, and just enjoy the coast doing its thing.