Hamilton Gap is another 'secret' little place that is only an hours drive from Auckland, on the West Coast near the top of the Awhitu Peninsula. Hamiltons Gap is a wild west beach that is remote and often has very moody and unusual sunsets.

There are massive dunes and unusual clay structures, While the smaller sand hills are protected, the larger are open to be climbed and then boogie boarded back down.

You can even drive on the beach if you like. This black Sand beach is quite isolated for a place so close to Auckland. There are the occasional skinny dippers here and fishermen too. You can see Manukau heads from the distance from there. Can get quite windy.