Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand

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NASA satellite photo of the Aupouri Peninsula and Ninety Mile Beach
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NASA satellite photo of the Aupouri Peninsula and Ninety Mile Beach

Ninety Mile Beach is a beach located on the western coast of the far north of the North Island of New Zealand.

The beach stretches from just west of Kaitaia towards Cape Reinga along the Aupouri Peninsula. It begins close to the headland of Reef Point, to the west of Ahipara Bay, sweeping briefly northeast before turning northwest for the majority of its length. It ends at Scott Point, five kilometres south of Cape Maria van Diemen.

Bodyboarding down the sand on Ninety Mile Beach is a popular tourist attraction
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Bodyboarding down the sand on Ninety Mile Beach is a popular tourist attraction

The name Ninety Mile Beach is a misnomer—it is actually 88 km (55 miles) long. The reason for its name is unknown, although several theories have been put forward.

In 1932, Ninety Mile Beach was used as the runway for some of the earliest airmail services between Australia and New Zealand. It is still used as an alternative road to the largely poor quality official route north from Kaitaia.

Location of Ninety Mile Beach
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Location of Ninety Mile Beach

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Coordinates: 34°43′S 172°56′E