New Chums Beach New Zealand: A Comprehensive Guide 2022

Author: Tessa Mager | 5 min read

If you’re looking for a beautiful and secluded beach to relax on, New Chums Beach is the place for you! This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know about this stunning spot. From how to get there, to what amenities are available, we’ve got you covered. So pack your sunscreen and prepare to fall in love with New Chums Beach!

If you are planning a trip to the Coromandel Peninsula and want to know what else there is to see and do, make sure you read our blog: 25 Best Things To Do In Coromandel In 2022

What Is New Chums Beach Known For?

New Chums Beach is known for its breathtaking views and secluded location. It’s the perfect place to relax and take in the natural beauty of New Zealand. The beach is also a great spot for swimming, fishing, and kayaking.

This is one of the few pristine beaches in New Zealand that you won’t have to share with the masses over the summer holiday. Because you can only get there by foot, many families with young children, elderly people, or just people who rather not drag their beach stuff with them, will opt out of this experience.

We visited New Chums over the height of the summer holiday and it was one of the best experiences of our two-week trip. Some people might tell you “Don’t go through the effort of walking all that way just for another beach” but we say this is a must-do when visiting New Zealand!

This beach has made several appearances on the world’s most beautiful beaches lists and should be on top of yours too.

How Do You Get to New Chums Beach?

New Chums Beach is located in the Coromandel Peninsula, about a 3-hour drive from Auckland. To get there, take State Highway 25 and keep following it until you get to Whangapoua. From there, navigate to William Mangakahia Lagoon Reserve. Here there is ample parking space as well as a public toilet. This is where your walk to New Chums will start.

What Amenities Are Available When You Get There?

It’s not called a secluded beach for nothing… No amenities are available at New Chums Beach. Make sure you go to the toilets available at the Wangapoua Beach parking and bring your own food and drinks. There are, however, plenty of trees to find shade under so you can leave your umbrella in the car.

Walking to New Chums should only be done at low tide. You need to walk over the rocky shoreline which are hidden at high tide. Good shoes are a must as well.

Can You Walk There At High Tide?

If you’re planning to walk to New Chums Beach, it’s important to know what the tide is doing. The beach can only be accessed at low tide, and if you try to walk there when the tide is high you’ll likely get stranded on the rocks. So make sure to check the tide schedule before you go, and be prepared to turn back if the tide is too high.

Check the tide tables for the area when planning your trip. Avoid doing the hike for 2 hours on either side of high tide. If you take these precautions your walk will be safe and enjoyable.

Can You Swim At New Chums?

There are no rip currents at New Chums Beach, but there are other hazards to be aware of. The rocks on the beach can make swimming a bit difficult, and there are also some submerged logs that can cause problems. So make sure you take caution when swimming and don’t go too far from the shore.

Otherwise, swimming at New Chums is just heavenly! The water is blue and has a pleasant temperature. If you have some extra space in your bag, bring goggles and a snorkel as you will have good visibility to go and explore.

Be aware that there are no lifeguards on this beach. Don’t take unnecessary risks, don’t drink alcohol before you go swimming, and keep an eye on children at all times.

New Chums Beach Walk

The walk to New Chums Beach leads your through beautiful lush forest paths.

The hike to New Chums Beach is a moderate trek that can take anywhere from 20 to 50 minutes, depending on your fitness level and how often you stop to take in the amazing scenery. The trail winds through lush forest and past several secluded coves before reaching the expansive beach.

There are a few tricky sections where you’ll need to clamber over rocks, so sturdy shoes are a must. After that, a swimsuit and towel are all you need to enjoy this pristine slice of paradise.

If you want to take a short detour, about halfway there is a steep track to Motuto Point. This viewpoint which is about 85meters offers breathtaking views of New Chums and is well worth the challenge.

New Chums Beach Walk Map

This map shows the route to New Chums Beach from the Whangapoua beach carpark. The blue line shows a detour to a lookout offering stunning views of the beach.

You will start your walk from the lagoon reserve. From here you will follow the beach, over the rocks, until you reach the walkway. This first part is around 15 minutes. From there the path will be much easier, meandering through dune bush and leading you to the start of New Chums Beach.

Once you reach the beach you decide to plop your towel down and go for a swim or continue along the long deserted beach until you reach the far end.

The blue path is the detour track to Motuto Point.

Can You Go Camping At New Chums?

New Zealand is very proud of the pristine conditions of the beach. For this reason, they are keeping this land as undeveloped as possible and protect from any possible harm at the hands of humans.

This means that there aren’t any facilities here making camping possible. On top of this, camping at New Chums is simply not allowed and could result in a fine.

But not all is lost! A stone’s throw from the parking lot where you start your walk you can find Earl’s Paradise. This is a very basic campsite with astounding views. For only $10 per person, you can join Earl at his Paradise for the night.

On the property, there are toilets, showers, and cooking facilities (BBQ). Both campervans and tents are welcome here. If you are looking for a bit more luxury, check in to the Whangapoua Holiday Park. This park has loads of space, super clean facilities, and an extremely entertaining host. We loved our stay here and will definitely be back. The fact that the showers were top-notch didn’t hurt either!

FAQs

What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit?

The best time of year to visit New Chums Beach is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the days are long. Even though this is the busiest time of year, you won’t have to worry about a crowded beach.

We visited New Chums over the busiest time of the year (Christmas holidays) and we were still only one of three couples the entire time we were there. If you want to make sure you get the place to yourself, try going during the shoulder seasons, either September-November or March-May (spring or autumn).

What Should You Bring With You When Visiting New Chums?

When visiting New Chums Beach, it is important to bring all of the necessary supplies to ensure a fun and enjoyable time. Especially, since you won’t be able to quickly go back to the car or dash to the shop.

Some items that are essential include sunscreen, water, food, and beach towels. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, and sunglasses to protect against the sun. The sun in New Zealand can get quite fierce so try to swap sun and shade if you plan to spend the whole day there.

Additionally, if your kids are water rats you could consider bringing water sports equipment. Since you will have to carry the equipment for at least a kilometer, opt for the lighter option of a boogieboard over a surfboard.

I would recommend leaving the bulky items altogether and just bringing goggles, a snorkel, and a chafe vast to explore the underwater world.

Since New Chums is such a peaceful place, bring your book or kindle as this is just THE BEST place to work through some chapters and imagine yourself on a deserted island.

New Chums is your own slice of paradise. At the mere cost of a 40 minute walk you get the place to yourself most days.

Conclusion: New Chums Beach – Comprehensive Guide 2022

If you’re looking for a secluded beach to relax on, New Chums is the place for you. This beach is located in Wangapoua, which is about a three-hour drive from Auckland.

New Chums is only accessible by foot but the 40-minute tramp is definitely worth it. New Chums is known for its crystal-clear waters, solitude, and stunning scenery. Make sure you go during low tide, as the journey becomes much more difficult, often impossible at high tide.

Be prepared to carry everything with you, as there are no shops or facilities near the beach. Swimming at New Chums is a must-do activity, and it’s definitely one of the highlights of the beach. The water is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty, so please take caution when swimming.

No camping is allowed but close to where you left your vehicle, you can find Earl’s Paradise or Whangapoua Holiday Park which are great alternatives.

The best time to visit New Chums Beach is during summer, however, it’s definitely worth visiting at any time of year! So grab your sunscreen, snacks, swimsuit, and a book and head on over to New Chums Beach – it’s sure to be a trip you’ll never forget.