Ninety Mile Beach is a beach
located on the western coast of the far north of the North Island of New
Zealand. It 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 km south of Cape
Maria van Diemen.
The name Ninety Mile Beach is a misnomer because it is actually 88 km (55
miles) long. The reason for its name is unknown. Several theories have been
put forward, the most common stemming from the days when missionaries
travelled on horse back. On average a horse could travel 30 miles in a day
before needing to be rested. The beach took three days to travel therefore
earning it the title Ninety Mile Beach, but the missionaries did not take
into account the slower pace of the horses walking in the sand, thus
thinking they had travelled 90 miles when in fact they had only travelled
60.
The beach, and specifically the northern dunes are a famous tourist
destination. The dunes, looking very much like a desert landscape, are an
unexpected sight for a New Zealand traveller, especially if he arrives from
the landward side (as opposed to coming upon them from along the beach).
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 State Highway 1 north of Kaitaia, though mainly for
tourist reasons, or when the main road is closed due to landslides or
floods.
Source: Wikipedia